THE UNEMPLOYED

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18441, 23 September 1931, Page 9

THE UNEMPLOYED

(To the Editor.) Fir,—ln reference to your editorial which dealt with the above subject I crave a portion of your valuable space to put forward some general views on the matter from the viewpoint of the person, directly concerned, viz., the unemployed worker. In the first place it is an undisputed fact that the representations of the deputation which waited upon Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister of Labour, did not meet with much encouragement, nor, do I venture to suggest, did they at heart expect such to be otherwise. It Is contrary to human nature in general, and party politicians in particular, to assist in demolishing an edifice which they have erected and which is their particular pride. However, this reluctance to admit of any flaws in the same edifice should not be allowed to prevent examination of 'those flaws and at least an expression of opinion as to the most suitable remedies to be used In their repair. The attitude which the unemployed of this country as well as the various labour organisations are taking up on the question of single men’s camps Is not being adopted purely as a hindrance to what are considered genuine attempts to alleviate the present exceptional circumstances. The

conditions of labour in the camps are no doubt hard, as you suggest, but even so, provided that we were assured that the matter would be allowed to remain at that, I think that it Is extremely probable that the objections would be withdrawn. We recognise, however, that it is also a characteristic of mankind that he buys in the cheapest market, and if an opportunity like tiic above is allowed to lie presented without protest, there is a grave danger

of the worker, whose ordinary avenue of employment is along the lines of work which is proposed to be carried out under the camp scheme, being reduced to the same rates of pay. This is a development which I think you will agree is hardly to be desired, as it Is the wish of the unemployed worker that his standard of living be raised and not that the standard of his fellow worker should ho reduced to his own. At the present time, the relief worker, who is engaged under any of the schemes which have been suggested for the remedy of the unemployment malady, Is many degrees be-

low the bread line, and he is compelled, as I informed the members of the Hospital Board a few days ago, to approach similar institutions to their own in order that he may obtain tne necessaries of life. Even as the dolo undermines the moral calibre of a people, so also does the necessity of seeking charity. And especially in this country of ours does the position present the features of a contradiction. When It Is seen that side by side with production that has never previously been equalled stalks the grim spectre of starvation, and misery,; It is no wonder that men ask how such a state of affairs should come to pass for It appears that plenty breeds famine and nothing comes to much. It seems, therefore, that the fault lies in the system under which we have lived in the past where production is for profit and profit for a few. To alter the present conditions, It Is also obvious that a change of 1 system Is necessary and I suggest that 'in order to bring about this change It is just as necessary to study the viewpoint of the worker as it Is to study that of the capitalist, for It is only by so

doing that an arrangement embodying fairness to all can he arrived at. Yet to a great extent this privilege is withheld from the worker. The opportunities for tho expression of his views on the subject are limited and even when a chance of so doing presents itself it is generally labollecl as revolutionary propaganda. This, unfortunately, Is the general’idea, and It appears that any suggestions which aro put forward by tho workers must necessarily be of a destructive nature if ono is to judge by the reluctance shown to allow them any voico In the I administration of affairs which directly concern them. A concrote example of this, I think, is to bo seen In tho

decision of tho local Unemployment Commlttco on being requested to grant representation to tho unemployed workers. The fact that meetings aro hold while tho men aro at work Is hardly sufficient reply to the request as tlioro would certainly ho found in Ihe ranks of tho unemployed, numbers of public-spirited men who would bo willing to mako somo sacriflco if by so doing they wero assisting tho causo of their fellow workers. In conclusion I would liko to point out that while I agreo with the advioo that tho position should be accepted as philosophically as possible, the degree of acceptance must necessarily alter to a certain extont. Some truths of philosophy, while presenting a very acceptable aspect from a comfortable chair before a blazing flro, present an entirely different ono from a bed In a doss-house. I would ask, therefore, that your readers make every allowance In the latter case, remembering always tho conditions from which tho philosophical aspect Is viewed.—l am, etc., G. PARSONS. Hamilton, September 19. 1931.