UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22719, 4 November 1935, Page 10

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—As you have kindly invited me to explain the unemployment figure of 68,225 with the great resounding dictum of “ grossly inaccurate,” the whole explanation lies in your own columns — simply that Mr Smith decided at the end of the session to classify the different degrees of employment in a new category to that which had obtained during past years. The statement of unemployment as issued by the board at September was:— Men on sustenance only .. 15,347 Men on part time .. .. .. 24,819 Full time subsidised men .. 18,069 58^225 Mr Smith, however, has now removed the 18,000 odd full time subsidised men from the list, as be contends that they should not be shown as unemployed, although, as you quaintly remark, without the subsidy (i.e„ part payment by the State), they would in all probability have been dependent on relief. Thus, if 18,000 odd are not now to be shown as on previous returns, my figures are reduced to 40,000, thus generously giving the Government credit for having 2200 fewer than you yourself submit is the ease of the latest returns. There is a saying, “Any old stick to whack a dog with,” but this is the first time that i have known straws to be used.— l am, etc., Robert Eraser. Dunedin. November 2. , [The whole explanation, as Captain Fraser remarks, lies in our columns—in the leading article to which his letter refers, in the Minister’s statement of a few days ago and in the report of the Unemployment Board from which we quoted. Captain Fraser is obviously not prepared to weaken his case against the Government by admitting that it is unreasonable to describe as “ unemployed ” men who are fully employed at standard rates of wages. —Ed. O.D.T.]