WORK CENTRES FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—In The Spectator of March 3rd there was an interesting letter from " Unemployed " on the subject of Occupation Centres, Social and Work Centres. His chief criticisms were that the vast number of the unemployed did not come : that classes, as a rule, did not keep up their numbers : that unemployed men desired more entertainment and less education : and finally that work is what they want—a fact with which all agree. I venture to suggest that he is falling into a common error in regarding "the Unemployed" as a mass with common tastes and similar capacities, and is generalizing from too limited an experience. For in fact the movement, still in its infancy, shows a remarkable increase in membership, the present figures being about one hundred and fifty thousand. So far from the unem- ployed desiring entertainments pure and simple the Occupa- tion Centres are the outcome of their desire for "something more," and these are steadily multiplying. His arguments for more accessible Centres is being met gradually as more are opened.
If " Unemployed " were in a position to survey the voluntary service movement as a whole, he would admit that his strictures were not universally true, though what he says is a not unfair description of some Centres. Each district shows a variety in conditions, and a tour through different parts of Britain reveals astonishing contrasts. The best results are to be found where each .Centre has been formed with a small nucleus of keen men. A Centre which starts with a hundred may drop to fifteen, but many which start with ten or fifteen have grown to a hundred or more. Many of their members have shown that they have great natural gifts, in music, art, drama—with their hands no less than with their heads, and this is true of both men and women. Surely effort should be made to give these talents a chance of developing.
Your correspondent says, "the unemployed could do with a little less education." We could all do with a little more, and even then we would be behind the ordinary standards of some other countries. The argument that because large numbers are not benefiting all should be deprived of oppor- tunity, can scarcely be maintained. If the resources of each locality were fully mobilized, there could be activities within the range of everyone. The last few months, in fact, show considerable development in the pursuit of physical fitness, handicraft and education. To withhold from those who have no work the opportunity of employing their time use- fully will help them neither to get work nor to be fit for it when it comes.—I am, Sir, &c.,
L. F. ELus, Secretary, The National Council of Social Service. 26 Bedford Square, W .C. 1.
Previous page
