Sre,—I am sorry that in your article on "Mr. Balfour
and the Unemployed" in last week's Spectator you spoke of "the creation of work" by the State or by a Borough Council as being the creating of a kind of work that is "not wanted," work started " solely " to prevent men from becoming paupers; so that the payment of wages for such work is only another form of "voluntary charity." I think it is clear that the State—which is only a collective name for all its citizens —is very much in the position of a large landowner. Such a man has the power of deciding whether or not he will improve his property. He may do this by draining land, by planting trees, or by building a wall round his park. If he does, be creates work, the benefit of the improvement accruing to him, the wages going to the workpeople. Here is no mere charity, but wise ownership, and also pro bono publico.—I am, Sir, &c., H. H.
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