PRICES AND UNEMPLOYMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21253, 5 August 1932, Page 15

PRICES AND UNEMPLOYMENT

Sir, —My rambling experiences of the last 20 years have rendered me thoroughly conversant with hard facts with relation to employment and the facilities for obtaining such periodically and perennially. And I am convinced that a man in an assured position is not as competent to judge these facts on their merits as one who has, from whatever cause, been obliged to turn to casual and blind alley occupations. Therefore I cannot agree with all the depositiqns submitted by "Hard Facts" in Monday's Herald. This, for example, "In 1928, the year when our national income was 56 millions, there were only a few unemployables." This invidious and objectionable term is being all too frequently met with. There were as many such in 1928 as in 1918, and possibly there are a few more now. I may be what is described as a "Jonah," but 1928 was x the most unfortunate year I ever put in, until 1931 came along. Spending pounds and travelling miles, foot and by other means, as I did in the winter of that year in search of work, I had eventually to turn to the relief work offered by the State Forest Service in that region (Rotorua), and there was no option about it. A bushman was required for Te Whetu, about the saino time. Although of no use to anyone unaccustomed to logging in steep country, the manager received. about 200 applications for the job. Certainly, when prices crashed, unemployment increased out of all knowledge, and for every ten men you put out of work, you automatically put out another and make it 11, and create a vicious circle, providing, of course, that no tangible attempt is made to combat the evil. "Facts First" tells us what everyone now knows, that New Zealand's prosperity depends upon export prices, and, it may be added, export prices depend upon European and world markets, which are'over-glutted. How, then, can restoration "to the 1928 level" be effected until the demand is somewhat compatible with the supply ? The hours of labour should be such as will maintain, as nearly as is humanly possible, the balance between production and consumption. And if the reduced working day becomes international, prices will rise, relative to the cost of living, or exchange value. And it would bo fair to all, not giving some people all the work, and others next to none. One of the Une^plovables.