A LOAN TO RELIEVE UNEMPLOYMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21982, 17 June 1933, Page 17

A LOAN TO RELIEVE UNEMPLOYMENT

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Surely our youth have a hard enough battle for existence in front of them without saddling them with repayment of a loan to meet the present lack of employment. Possibly the most tragic phase of the employment question is the future for our youth, and yet the worthy Mayor of Dunedin and others consider that it is apparently a fair and equitable proposition to ask the future generation to pay for present-day requirements. For goodness sake let us be men enough to help ourselves and not ask posterity to pay. Unfortunately, we are still endeavouring to make 1900 legislation fit 1933, and our leaders are obsessed with the hope of better produce prices solving our difficulties. In my opinion, there are two definite problems—first, low produce prices, causing a depression in business; and, secondly, the machine age has created less employment, possibly for keeps. The first will rectify itself to a degree, but we surely must provide for less employment by a system of practically • compulsory superannuation at a given age (flexible) to meet tlie times. ’ To-day we are paying in different forms of taxation possibly close on two shillings in the £ towards unemployment relief which is being virtually wasted, as very little reproductive employment has been found —excepting the new tree planting activities. 1 am prepared to show figures proving that 2s Od in, the £ on all incomes will allow of superannuation at 60, with provision of £2 for males and £1 for females. All unemployment schemes and levies would be abolished, and our youth would have a chance to find employment. Our elderly people would be able to live in lieu of existing. If insufficient work wore available the tax could be raised and the retiring age lowered.—l am, etc., D. E. Dustin. Wanganui,, Juno 14.