MACHINES AND LABOUR
Sir, —Mr. Newman has overlooked the fact that statistics show that the labour displaced in one industry becomes absorbed in a new undertaking. He quotes American figures in certain industries and proves a decrease in employment in those industries rs machine power increased. Official returns show that in 1910 there were 83 in every 1000 employed in manufacturing, 102 per 1000 in 1920, and 95 per 1000 in 1930. There were 850,000 who might have been kept on in those industries but were put off. The 1930 census, however, shows that occupations outside manufacturing not only absorbed this 850,000, but actually employed 500,000 besides. While manufacturing put off 850,000 other occupations took on 1,350,000. British figures, which we quoted, prove that more men have been absorbed in increasing trades than put off by depressed trades. We therefore venture to repeat that the theory that the unemployment problem is due to increased use of machinery "is not well founded." N.Z. Welfare League.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 15
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164MACHINES AND LABOUR New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 15
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