Public Opinion THE OUT-OF-WORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 244, 15 October 1931, Page 6

Public Opinion

THE OUT-OF-WORK

Sir,— During last week I heard of two matters in connection with the unemployed (some apparently unemployable). The first was the case of a young man who went to the Parapara camp after obtaining a pair of boots (from charity). He stayed there three days, and then came home—boots and all. Oil arrival, he was sent by his mother to get free meat from the hospital; then ho was sent to the Alayor for free firewood.

As you remember, Virgil (70-19 8.C.) said, “Labor omnia vineit.” The out-of-work (or most of them) act as if assurance conquers all. St. Paul, in his lesson to tho Thessalonians said, “For when we were with you, this we commanded you that if any would not work neither should he eat. (11. Thess. iii., 10). Air Ernest Remnant, in one of his sagacious articles (“Sink or Swim”) says: “Ho (the worker) is never in tho full sense of the words ‘up against it.’ Nature’s bleak warning ‘Sink or Jwim’ may pply to kittens but certainly not to the possessor of a vote so valuable that even the Conservatives promise to keep him in cotton wool ‘from the cradc to tho grave.’ ” Now, speaking from some knowledge of human nature in the rough, having roughed it myself as a youth in Australia and Tasmania, I assert without qualification that, excluding cases calling for some form of compassionate help, injury, old-age and illness, on the “sink or swim” basis, everyone will

The other matter is the out-of-work who arc working on the Wanganui River Road. These gentry are taken back and forward daily to their work (about 20 miles from tho city) in a motor-lorry. Why should they not camp near their work? As it is, I understand that-they put in less than six hours a clay at the place where tho work is. Wherefore this unnecessary expense? You remember that Confucius (500-478 8.C.) said: “There is no use attempting to help those who will not help themselves.” I suppose that the attractions of the city art? too great for these men to camp. Sergeant Alurphy said to Heddle, “Only sport, indeed!” “What I meant,” said Heddle, “was that with

millions of unemployed .” “Never mind the unemployed,” said Sergeant Alurphy, “a lot of the gate money comes out of them.” —I am, etc. “BRUTUS.”

P.S. —At the conclusion of an article by Air Douglas Jerrold on “The real economic argument,” he says: “Iu our present state we are ceasing to breed men. Our first task is to recreate the conditions in which men can learn to live as men and have the responsibilities of men. Given this, history does not for a moment give cause for pessimism. It is no more true that one nation is as good as another than that one man is as good as another. The stronger the nation’s character, the greater its energy. The more thrifty its government, the higher its standard of living, which can he maintained without rasing production costs unduly. To strengthen character, to encourage thrift, to pat a premium on individual energy, is the essential task of government to-day.

“ENGLAND’S GOLD RESERVES”

Sir, —A question was made from the September issue of the National City Bank of New York by Mr. C. P. Brown in his address to the Rotarians—“that the Bank of England is clearing more international business and rendering more international aid to business than the banking and currency systems of the United States and France” and to which is added as comment —“It is something to ponder over, and should be a source of pride to Englishmen.” This extraordinary bit of reasoning is indeed lamentable, demonstrating a lack of foresight on economic and currency problems. Evidently Air. Brown subscribes to the economic writers engaged by the financially-interested parties, but where have they landed us to-day, economically? There is only one answer—“A devil’s own mess.”

Perhaps Air. Brown can explain to your readers, as to why we Englishmen should feel a source of pride, that the Bank of England founded by a foreigner, the Governor a foreigner, controlled by foreign interests, Wall {Street of New York—js rendering more international credit to aid foreign business, when there .is a cry going up from all over Britain—languishing factories, shipyards, trade and industry—for credit

it is contended for by English bankers, that there is wisdom and advantages to be reaped by international credit to foreigners, inasmuch, as the interest on these credits —or loans — create invisible exports. It is well known that interest is usually paid in commodities, which inflicts and seriously competes with British goods. Air. Brown apparently agrees with the financiers tnat it docs not matter how Britain’s trade, industry and commerce suffers, so long as London can maintain its banking international supremacy. What employment does this banking give, compared with industry, trade and commerce? Everyone knows that prior to 1914, Germany and the United Slates were leaving Britain behind iu that which matters most, —trade, industry and commerce. The loss of our international banking supremacy may effect a few hundred people, but the loss of the worlds markets —which is happening now—will mean the beginning and end of the dry-rot that is eating tile vitals out of the heart of the Empire, thanks to ignorance in high places, the gold standard and money power. I am. etc., P. E. TINGEY.