LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND ITS " CURE."
[To THE EDITOR Of THE "SPECTATOR." _1 SIB,—The question of unemployment has received so much attention that there is a risk of our falling into the common error of examination of details and forgetfulness of principles. The result is plain in the " cures " proposed. The "unem- ployed" are put to work in the idea that they will earn their living. What are the facts P Their work is so inferior that the Central Unemployed Body will be paying over £33,000 for work in the London County Council parks ; whereas the estimated cost of the same work done through the ordinary channels is £7,900. The difference of over 15s. in the pound is an unsound form of charity given under pretence of " wages earned." For this work the average wages amount to 21s. a week for four and a half days work (4s. 8d. a day), so that the natural spur of need is almost wholly wanting. A few days ago the Islington Borough Council obtained sanction to borrow £8,900 for material for repairing five streets. Four of these will not require it "for two or three years "; but none the less the good roads are to be broken up, and "fairly good" paving destroyed in order to be laid down again! An excuse is offered in the scheme being conditional on the wages (22,500) being paid by the Central Unemployed Body, but the loss of two years' value of the paving amounts to about the same. Further, there is a means by which men, and animals, have always been urged to find food and warmth, —viz., migration. Good workmen, not unemployable, but unemployed because there is no demand for their work, are splendid material for colonisation, but we have the whole force of the Labour interest working to keep men here when they cannot find support. The hope that "things will improve" is wholly speculative, and is largely discounted by our carrying out now works which belong to later years. It seems to me that we are on wholly wrong lines. By paying too high wages, by non-adoption of emigra- tion, by drawing to London innumerable unwanted, men instead of urging them outwards, by the use of what all allow to be mere palliatives, we are working directly against the laws of Nature, instead of co-operating with them. The result does not demand much power of prophecy. The evil is certain to grow, and the burden of unemployment will increase, while the real responsibility will rest with our legislators and administrators.—I am, Sir, &c., ALM= F. BtrITON. [We desire to associate ourselves with the propositions advanced in Mr. Buxton's letter. The Government's plan for dealing with the unemployed is vicious at every point. It is
founded on the fallacies of Protection, and is a sure method for manufacturing paupers. It violates the true principles of relief to the poor at every turn.—En. Spectator.]
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