POLITICS AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18405, 12 August 1931, Page 9

POLITICS AND UNEMPLOYMENT.

(To the Editor.) Sir.—New Zealand last year received a crushing blow by the decrease ot £30,000,000 in the value of our exports. This has been followed by extra taxation to the extent of £3,840,000 (Mr Harris M.P.), 10 per cent, cut in wages, rigid economy in all business houses and public and private works, the sole exception being the House of Parliament which still is carrying on the time-honoured stunt of members gathering in Wellington each year for about five months, most ot the time being devoted to throwing off at one another. We have 20,000 females and 50,000 males unemployed for which every member of Parliament Independent ot party Is equally responsible. The debate on the Budget Is likely to last a fortnight, say ten talking days and at the Prime Minister's figures costs £BO7 per day; so the taxpayer will have to find £BO7O to pay for it. Unfortunately the “ unemployed problem " is not treated very seriously by members and is looked upon as a parly question or a political weapon. When the Budget is disposed of would it not be a wise thing for the whole house to go into a non-party committee for a week or more it necessary, with the idea of formulating a national scheme to deal with our unemployed. Let each member table what he considers the requirements ot his electorate for its future prosperity—be it land development, mining or tourist resorts—and piece it all together over a two or three-years plan, the ultimate result aimed at being the filling up of the holds with produce of three ocean-going boats where at present we are filling up one and with special attention being given to the marketing at Home. The climatic conditions under which it is produced give It that quality there will always be an ever-increasing demand for it. In a political address at Te Aroha on February 18 Mr W. E. Parry M.P., said: “If ever there was a time in the history oi New Zealand, or of tne world generally, when people should get together and discuss national affairs and politics, that time surely had arrived.”

A National Government Is the only solution to our present difficulties. Form a National Cabinet of the best brains in the House and extend the life of Parliament until such times as the plan mapped out is completed and I venture to say the result would be the end of party politics which is bringing ruination to every country in the world to-day. Every young man Is naturally interested and ambitious to get on In the world, but putting him on chipping weeds, etc., under the No. 5 Scheme Is only killing his ambition because he has the brains to know its only an indirect way of giving him something for nothing, and he will eventually be one to swell the audiences of the soap box orator and at the end of 1931 when the curtain rings down on the general election the taxpayer of New Zealand .will have to directly and Indirectly foot the bill for a quarter of a million pounds for “ talk ” which Is a wicked waste of money at a time when there Is so much distress, want, and urgent appeals for food and clothing from all quarters.—l am, etc., J. RAWLINSON. Hamilton, August 10, 1931.