THE CAUSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20964, 1 March 1930, Page 11

THE CAUSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —My reason for asking the question who Mr Neilson is was due to the fact that I .could, not find his name in ■ the Labour Department’s annual report. 1 formed the conclusion, however, that he might in some way be connected with the Trades Hall coterie. I now learn that he is a baker by trade —a journeyman, I presume, engaged in a very honourable calling, he is a genuine, worker and is a producer of the staff of life. I cannot see where the connection between “loaf” and “loafer” comes in. A man who could make so vile a pun would not scruple to pick a pocket. My first job after leaving school 45 years ago was that of a bushman enting firewood at 3s fid a cord, at the rate of one cord a day. Working so near to ! Nature with our then beautiful native birds as my companions I was as happy as a lark. The “ boss ” was not harassed by labour inspectors, nor was I harassed by a union secretary in the matter of collecting my union sub. What a transition since those days! I cannot understand Mr Batchelor’s reference to a “ queer position,” and then ■ a little further on to “ really good questions.” I can just imagine Mr Batchelor

patting himself on his chest after seeing his replies to ray questions in print. Does he imagine for one moment that to such a juggling as reducing the higher wages and increasing the lower is going to cure unemployment? Would it not be less foolish and would it not meet the position better (as an illustration) if a person like Mr Batchelor, a non-producer, halved his salary and thus permitted another union secretary to work beside bim? The trouble here again would be that a posi- ' tion of this kind would be multiplied, ' and we do not want that. The poor workman’s union subscription might possibly . be raised again. ! Mr Batchelor seems to know a great deal about industry and its responsibilities. If, as’he states, private industry is responsible for unemployment, it might be of some advantage if he would define what he means by industry. Has be any i particular industry in view? If so, where is it operating? I was under the impression that unionism had such a control of industry in this Dominion that this condition of affairs was killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. Mr Batchelor is under no obligation to t sign his name to newspaper correspon- ' dence any more than I am, and so long ” as the editor sees fit to publish my letj ters I will continue to sign as usual.— 1 I am, etc., -1 Another Queer Fellow,