UNEMPLOYMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19766, 14 February 1927, Page 6

UNEMPLOYMENT

Sir, —I notice a number of letters appearing in the Press lately with regard to the largo amount of unemployment generally at the present time. You will agree, I think, that present indications for a better state of affairs are not at til] hopeful in this respect. Who jis to alter these conditions! It seems to me that the Government must take the first step, viz., to stop bringing assisted immigrants into the country for say, at least two or throe years. Every boat arriving from the Homeland brings another 200 or 300 people into tat Dominion under Government assistance. I contend that such a condition of things should not be allowed with our economic position as it now stands. Let us first of all got back on a sound footing and find work for our unemployed, and particularly for boys leaving school! Why, I have never known of so many applications from boys as during the past two months. It is apparent that we arc unable to absorb our youths on leaving school, and, instead of being trained as skilled workmen, they are being allowed to drift anywhere. The question has got to be faced and if the Government is not alive to its responsibility then the ratepayers of thc country should force thc matter home by united action. There is also thc individual aspect, L too. It is the bounden duty of every New Zealander to purchase Dominionmade goods first, and British-made next. If every citizen specified local manufactures in the first instance, our factories would be able to absorb more and more labour. Of course, some things are not made in our own country —then let us buy British and British only. Australia is going ahead simply by the loyalty of its people in supporting their own secondary industries. Let us be loyal and do the same! Then our lot will be much brighter if thc Government will do its part as suggested above. Let every citizen make his motto: “New Zealand-made goods first, and British-made second!’’ Trusting an abler pen than mine will take this matter up. LEGAILIS