RELIEF OF DISTRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22545, 12 April 1935, Page 13

RELIEF OF DISTRESS

TO THE EDITOR

Siß,—ln his address to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce the deputy-chair-man of the Unemployment Board (Mr W. Bromley) said that “unemployment, not only in New Zealand, but the world over, remained one of our greatest unsolved problems.i . Perhaps it is because the problem is so great, taxing as it does the skill and the wit of the statesmen of the world, that so very many persons who have no responsibilities for putting their theories into practice so confidently claim to hold the key to the solution.”

Without even thinking of a solution — let alone suggesting one—l would remind Mr Bromley that, before looking for a solution of any problem, the first essential is clearly to recognise and then definitely to state what the terms of the problem really are. I would like, on the basis of Mr Bromley’s own statements, to define the terms of the problem of unemployment. Mr Bromley informs us that in Germany 2,500,000, in Britain 2,250,000, and in Italy 1,000,000 are unemployed. He also says that one of the contributing factors towards the problem is “ over-production and under-consump-tion.” He further tells us that “displacement of millions of workers through highly specialised mechanisation, commonly _ called ‘rationalisation of industry,’ ” is another cause. So then the basic terms of the problem are: (1) Machinery has displaced millions of workers. (2) The work of millions of men is not now required, and (3) over-production and under-consump-tion. Mr Bromley admits that, although a vast army of workers have been put out of action, yet there is a surplus of production. Where then docs the problem arise? Personally, I can only see a problem because of this further factor in the_ case. There is a reservation in the minds of our statesmen when they approach this question. The reservation is this: The one thing necessary to solve the problem is not to be considered. Money (used in its widest meaning) is the only means by which industry’s production can be distributed, and yet a responsible servant of the Crown, who admits that one cause of the trouble i» overproduction and under-consumption, never suggests that the financial system, which is the_ sole cause of this anomaly, should be critically examined. I submit that, in facing this grievous problem, there is a lack of candour, which in view of the widespread suffering is wicked. If those in authority, instead of taking on with doubtful grace the charitable care of those workers who have been thrown on the scrap heap of the idle market, would question a financial system which at one and the same time demands work ami denies the opportunity to work, the problem would soon be solved.

Reverting to a statement of Mr Bromley “ taxing, as it does, the skill and the wit of the statesmen of the world,” I feel strongly that, if this matter were referred less to their skill and their wit and more to their conscience, things would soon improve. No one can solve a problem if he is determined to ignore the essential element in that problem. A financial system that is unjust and inhuman is the cause of the present economic distress. Will Mr Bromley admit this?--I am, etc..

' Wsf. W. MacAkthub, Portobello, April 11. *■, ;