The Waipukurau Press. Published: MONDAYS WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1930. ARMY OF UNEMPLOYED

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 129, 5 November 1930, Page 4

The Waipukurau Press. Published: MONDAYS WEDNESDAYS, AND FRIDAYS. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1930. ARMY OF UNEMPLOYED

British newspapers and reviews to

hand give prominence to statistics

and information regarding the state of unemployment in Great Britain. “Public Opinion” quotes figures to show that the number of unemployed on the register in Great Britain was 1,905,196 at the end of July, 1921. The number gradually diminished until, in 1924, it was 1,048,261. Then it began to increase again. In 1927 the lowest figure for years was reached, just over a million. For the next two years there was a steady increase, while last year the number of unemployed took an en-

ormous jump upwards, the figure at July 31st last being set down at 2,011,467 —by far the worst record ever published. Cables to hand a few days ago indicate that even this very high record has been exceeded, and the great army of unemployed is still mounting in numbers. A few opinions expressed by leading Eng-

lish journals are of interest. The “Observer” writes: “The figure which stood for a symbol of the sensational a few months ago has become a sober record of reality. The country has watched a menace growing rapidly in the sight of all, with no policy applied to it that has made, or «*■ make, more than a fractional difference.” The “Daily Herald,” expressing Labour’s views, says: I “What is it that has caused unemployment to rise to a point higher ' than any since the collapse of the

post-war boom? To that there is ’ only one possible answer. It is the result of an international economic crisis so grave as to be without parallel in this country. We do not doubt that only the unemployment i policy of the Government has prevented the workless from numbering two millions several months ago.” ‘.‘Birmingham Post” points out that Germany now has over 2,800,000 uni employed, and the United States figure is considerably higher still, i “But the British total, in proportion ’ to population and resources, is be-

: yond question the most disquieting, j More than any other country, we de- ! i pend on good conditions in world i trade for the maintenance, at a very high standard of living, of a popula- < tion fax* biggei* than our primary re- ■ sources could decently feed.” In a “trade survey” recently issued, the ; British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers’ Association expects that the present depression will almost certainly continue through 19 31, and is doubtful w’hether the recovery, which may be expected in 1932, will be anything more than a lightening of the depression. It is noticeable that this association expresses the view that “an increase of export trade, if it can ever take place, will only take place as the result of concentration on markets capable of

very rapid economic development, and those markets are to be found within the British Empire. Through closer co-operation fiscally, through industrial rationalisation on an Imperial basis, and through the use of tariffs to create a more equitable balance of trade between Great Britain and the countries outside of the Empire, the way can be prepared for the redistribution of British foreign trade and for the realisation of a higher standard of national consumption.”

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TRADE

“The primary needs of men considered as animals are constant. The induced and educed needs of men are without limit and are always increasing. Civilisation is always demanding more material for comfort, culture and amusement. This ever-growing demand, as expressed at any particular moment and met by supply is the trade of that moment,” Sir Leo Chiozza Money wrote recently in the “Spectator.”

“Trade is not a thing of definite volume. Trade is created by those who trade, increased by those who strive, decreased by those who falter . . . Depression must be shaken off. The Government is afraid to act, capitalists are afraid to venturp, investors seek ‘safe’ securities, stockbrokers have not even the pluck to tell their clients to buy industrials at bargain sale prices. Never a sail is hoisted to catch a breeze. There is no justification for such pusillanimity. Trade is action and those who will not act become factors of depression. ... I am reminded of the psychology of the war. In 1915 there were men of leading among us who honestly thought that we had shot our bolt; that we had come to the end of our resources; that we could not go on. Fortunately, there were others with a different psychology who proved that mind can be the master of things. But it was a narrow shave, the contest between the two mentalities. The psychology of defeatism was not allowed to ruin us in war; we have now to oppose it vigorously in peace.”