UNEMPLOYMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17408, 22 May 1928, Page 9

UNEMPLOYMENT.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I would like to ask your correspondent “Idealist,” who is of the opinion that there is no use in complaining, how he expects any -change for the better to be brought about if he makes a secret of his troubles and takes no steps to make his wants known? It is these who loudly proclaim their wants and needs that receive the most attention, while those of a retiring disposition, who are averse to having their unhappy position made public, are relegated to the background. To find a remedy for the present deplorable state of affairs is no easy task. In a young and undeveloped country , such as this there ought to be an abundance of work for all if the many resources yerc properly exploited. This cannot be dom without the expenditure of a very large amount of money, and the question is, where is this money to come from? It would go far to assist us out of our difficulties if we could attract to our shores from

the Homeland business men. possessed of energy and initiative witli a considerable amount of capital at their command so that new industries might ■ he started and an outlet found for our ! surplus labour. That there are huuj dreds of men at Home answering all I these requirements there is no denying, and they would he only too glad J to take up their residence in this land j of sunshine were it not that they are , afraid to make the venture in conse- ! quence of Lhe many labour troubles 1 employers have always to contend 1 against. Unless and until some means can be found lo obviate the constant ! antagonism between capital and labour, unemployment and distress will continue to harass and worry us and render our lives miserable. When Mr Coates grasped the helm of State his famous slogan of “Less Government in Business” was hailed with joy; but, sad to say, the incubus of State control has been more pronounced during the time be has been in office than it ever was before. A great deal of the present unemployment is due lo the Arbitration Court granting increases of wages each lime it is appealed to by the different labour unions, irrespective of whether tiie various industries are able to carry the additional burden or not, tiie result being that directly a higher scale of wages comes into force employers promptly reduce their staffs and lhe ranks of the unemployed are thereby increased.—l am, etc., EXPERIENCE TEACHES.