OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 July 1939, Page 6

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

UNEMPLOYMENT (To the Editor) Sir,—With regard to my letters on the unemployment problem you have been kind enough to publish, I think both your anonymous correspondents have quite missed the real reason for my letters. My reason for writing was not to start a lengthy controversy on the question of unemployment or economics, or to hear what other people may think of my ideas, but I am anxious to ascertain whether any of your readers have any constructive ideas that can be put into practical use.

It is quite easy to say we must develop local industries when as a matter of fact the Government is already doing everything it possibly can in this direction. The question is, how many able-bodied men can be absorbed by local industries? I also want to know whether thousands of unemployed men can be employed on the land to their own advantage and that of the country. Personally I believe they can and I have made two entirely different suggestions as to now I think they can. Whether anyone agrees with my suggestions or not is not of much importance, but the fact still remains that a solution must be found and I think both your correspondents agree with me on this point. Since writing my last letter I nave learnt more about the subject, as one of your readers has kindly sent me a journal showing how a similar scheme is being tried out very successfully in the Old Country. The article discusses the whole problem in some detail. I give one short extract from the article: — "There are now some hundreds of tenants who. with the Association’s help and by their own efforts have oeen raised from the demoralisation of prolonged unemployment and who are making a decent living on the land. It is no mere play on words to state that it is almost impossible to recognise these men physically and above all. morally, from the trainees of three or four years ago.” I say again, Sir, that the matter should be discussed quite openly and freely in the House. A committee should be appointed regardless of political interests, to go into the whole question and find a solution for a vital problem that should be the concern of all intelligent people in New Zealand. If this is not done the electors of both parties are being definitely let down by their members. I am quite aware that my views on the subject may not be any value, but it won’t be my fault if people with better ideas don't do something in the matter. —Yours, etc..

L. B. MAUNSELL. Masterton, July 23.