The Threat of Unemployment
SIR,—The Spectator of March 7th.contains some remarks on unemploy- ment that are almos,t alarming in their complacency. We are told that some redistribution of labour is unavoidable, that this may lead to temporary unemployment, but that this is nothing of which we need be afraid !
In places like Birmingham labour may doubtless be "switched" without very much trouble. But what of areas such as Merseyside, where unemployment is a serious problem ? In these days people can hardly be expected to move to a different part of the country. The tenancy of a house is almost more important than a job. If one loses one's job, the hope of another is always there. To give up one's house may involve living in rooms for the rest of one's life. And now, what about this temporary unemployment,"which is not such a very terrible thing after all ? Who are the lucky people who need not be afraid ? Certainly not those who have lost their jobs, or who are faced with the constant knowledge that they may do so. It is only too often true that the word " temporary " may cover months and even years of unemployment. The position is particularly unfortunate for those of middle age whom it would appear, the country now needs only for unpaid Civil Defence work.—Yours faithfully, 32 Vyner Road, Wallasey, Cheshire. JOHN COLLINSON.
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