The Pahiatua Herald. PUBLISED EVERY EVENING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1933. THE GREAT PROBLEM.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12313, 5 April 1933, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald. PUBLISED EVERY EVENING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1933. THE GREAT PROBLEM.

With the approach of tlie winter season the problem of unemployment becomes greater. The problem is a very long way off solution by any country. The magnitude- of the dole system may lie guaged from the fact that Brito in is spending £l3O millions a year-, partly subscribed, by the workers themselves when in employment, and after all, the system in vogue is hut a palliative. In New Zealand the Government is endeavouring to provide work for those in receipt of relief but the £“4' millions available is not sufficient to provide a bare subsistence lor many of theunemployed. Our aim should he, as; a contemporary points out, fo provide employment which will take some men, even if only a few. off the' list of those needing relief. It lssaid by some that secondary industries can provide steady employment for many, but it is evident that if these industries, protected as they are by high tariffs and exchange, cannot employ more men at present it would be futile to provide subsidies or other assistance’ from the taxpayers. There remains the small larni scheme and this should he pushed on with the utmost vigour. Mr Coates has put an Act through the House which will extend the possibilities of settlerr&nt. This' should be put into effect at once because there is no time for delay. There are three' months ahead before the milking season begins. A new Act cannot be working effectively in a few days, and so far as we know nothing is being done under the old scheme. Mr Coates has worked hard for the conversion scheme, but he must work ten times as hard, or get some one else to do so, if the small farms ore to be. put on the map. That is the next step that must he taken.