Under  the  Present  System  of  Unemployment  Relief  there  has  sprung  into  existence  a   .sx
DOLE  MENACE .sx   
And  the  taxpayer  is  losing  52,000,000  a  year  because  of  it .sx   

Six  months  ago  official  estimates  of  the  Ministry  of  Labour  , certainly  erring  on  the  side  of  caution  , showed  350,000  people  drawing  the  dole  to  which  they  were  not  originally  entitled .sx   Since  then  this  total  has  been  very  rapidly  increasing .sx   

In  the  course  of  inquiries  recently  in  London  , and  several  provincial  centres  I  put  this  question  to  many  responsible  officials  in  high  positions  in  the  Employment  Exchange  service :sx   

How  many  men  and  women  do  you  think  are  now  receiving  unemployment  benefit  who  are  not  entitled  to  it  under  the  original  scheme ?sx   

52,000,000  a  Year .sx   

The  answers  ranged  from :sx   

" Certainly  many  more  than  600,000  "  .sx
to   .sx
" Probably  at  least  1,250,000 .sx   " 

A  million  , therefore  , may  be  taken  as  a  fair  average  representation  of  the  official  view  , and  there  are  facts  which  justify  even  this  amazing  opinion .sx   

On  the  average  each  of  these  may  be  expected  to  draw  -  with  family  allowances  -  at  least  1  a  week  , 1,000,000  a  week  , or  52,000,000  a  year  , on  this  basis  is  the  improper  charge  to  the  Insurance  Fund  , to  the  State  , and  ultimately  to  the  taxpayers  , caused  by  these  unjustified  claimants .sx   

No  wonder  that  the  Minister  of  Labour  , Miss  Bondfield  , has  to  ask  Parliament  so  often  for  powers  to  borrow  more  tens  of  millions  of  pounds  for  the  Insurance  Fund .sx   

Unnecessary  Million .sx   

Why  does  she  not  devote  herself  instead  to  the  not  very  difficult  task  of  confining  the  dole  to  its  proper  recipients ?sx   

The  answer  , of  course  , is  that  she  is  afraid  of  the  consequent  rebellion  of  the  left  wing  Socialist  members  and  even  of  certain  short-sighted  elements  in  the  trade  union  movement .sx   But  this  will  hardly  seem  justification  to  the  nation  now  providing  an  unnecessary  million  pounds  a  week  and  depressed  by  the  growing  total  of  unemployment  , which  , by  the  latest  return  , is  2,631,212  people .sx   

The  unnecessary  millions  of  these  is  divided  into  two  broad  classes :sx   Those  who  are  improperly  drawing  the  dole  within  the  law  as  it  now  stands  , and  those  who  are  breaking  the  law  , their  offences  abetted  by  the  difficulties  and  laxity  of  its  administration  -  in  other  words  , into  cases  of  legal  and  illegal  swindles .sx   

Of  these  the  former  account  for  by  far  the  larger  part  of  the  total  , and  are  comprised  in  two  classes :sx   

Workpeople  whose  wages  , too  often  by  collusion  with  employers  , are  subsidised  by  the  dole  , and   .sx

Persons  who  have  left  industry  for  good  but  continue  to  draw  the  dole  almost  indefinitely  as  part  of  their  expected  weekly  income .sx   

The  Subsidy  System .sx   

The  wage  subsidy  system  , known  in  official  parlance  as  " systematic  short-time  , " is  spreading  very  rapidly  through  many  branches  of  industry  since  it  began  about  two  years  ago  among  the  South  Wales  dockers .sx   

There  are  many  variations  of  it  , but  its  simplest  form  is  the  case  of  an  individual  who  works  for  three  days  a  week  and  draws  the  dole  for  the  other  three .sx   

Another  system  , much  in  favour  now  in  the  textile  trades  in  Northern  Ireland  , is  the  provision  of  work  for  five  weeks  , followed  by  dole  drawing  for  one  , two  , or  three  weeks  , the  process  thus  following  regular  cycles .sx   

It  was  made  possible  by  the  abolition  of  what  was  known  as  the  waiting  period  for  the  dole .sx   Formerly  applicants  for  unemployment  benefit  had  to  wait  for  three  days  before  they  were  entitled  to  commence  drawing  the  dole .sx   

Now  this  provision  only  applies  to  persons  who  have  been  in  work  for  a  period  of  not  less  than  ten  consecutive  weeks .sx   

Unlimited  Extension .sx   

This  subsidy  system  is  now  in  general  application  to  dockyard  labour  in  most  British  ports  ; is  taking  a  firm  grip  in  the  textile  trades  ; has  begun  to  show  itself  extensively  in  the  iron  and  steel  and  boot  trades  ; and  is  slightly  apparent  in  the  coal  trade .sx   

It  will  be  observed  , however  , that  it  is  capable  of  almost  unlimited  extension  in  the  insured  trades  , for  , to  take  a  broad  case  , if  an  employer  can  now  give  regular  work  to  500  men  for  a  week  , he  can  instead  give  work  to  two  groups  of  500  men  for  three  days  each  a  week  , and  the  whole  thousand  , including  his  original  500  , will  then  appear  as  in  receipt  of  unemployment  benefit .sx   

The  vast  majority  of  employers  , of  course  , are  above  leading  themselves  to  practices  of  this  kind  , but  it  is  often  very  difficult  to  resist  the  pressure .sx   

Actual  cases  were  quoted  to  me  in  Cardiff  of  dock  labourers  earning  more  than  5  a  week  for  three  days  work  who  , under  this  plan  , were  taking  the  dole  for  the  other  three  , and  it  should  be  remembered  that  this  system  may  extend  -   .sx



Too  Enthusiastic  Women .sx   

By  URSULA  BLOOM .sx   

The  trouble  with  my  sex  is  that  they  will  persist  in  going  too  far .sx   While  they  persevere  in  their  doctrine  of  the  whole  hog  they  will  never  be  entirely  successful .sx   They  will  cope  with  the  male  outlook  on  the  same  mental  plane .sx   

Women  deliberately  overwork .sx   Not  only  do  they  overwork  , but  they  absorb  themselves  entirely  in  that  work  , so  that  it  encroaches  on  their  playtime .sx   They  permit  themselves  no  relaxation  whatsoever .sx   

A  man  will  work  for  ten  hours  , fling  down  his  occupation  , stride  out  into  the  world  and  seek  a  change .sx   The  moment  his  office  door  has  slammed  to  on  his  cares  , that  is  the  end  of  them  for  him .sx   The  result  is  that  his  playtime  is  a  tonic  , and  he  returns  to  his  occupation  completely  refreshed .sx   

Personal  Matter .sx   

A  woman  cannot  do  this  in  the  same  way .sx   Her  work  is  far  more  a  personal  matter  , and  she  clings  whole-heartedly  to  it .sx   Even  in  her  time  away  from  it  she  is  for  ever  brooding  upon  its  possibilities .sx   If  she  is  engaged  in  an  intellectual  occupation  , then  she  spends  her  time  in  making  intellectual  friends  , whose  conversation  will  react  on  her  work .sx   

She  reads  books  on  her  subject .sx   She  goes  to  the  right  type  of  plays  and  devours  them  hungrily .sx   All  the  many  freedoms  of  life  which  are  a  man's  relaxation  still  remain  the  woman's  task .sx   She  is  absorbed  in  it .sx   It  is  quite  useless  to  try  to  segregate  her  from  this  , because  her  mind  runs  continually  in  those  channels .sx   

Light  Chatter .sx   

A  woman  is  far  more  occupied  with  the  personal  element  in  life .sx   She  applies  all  conversations  to  herself .sx   Her  attitude  is  the  attitude  of  a  circling  wheel  , and  the  hub  of  that  wheel  is  her  own  ego .sx   

Listen  to  her  talking .sx   Within  five  minutes  you  know  whether  she  is  career-crazy  , or  is  obsessed  by  a  husband  , or  wrapped  up  in  a  home .sx   Each  of  these  may  possess  her .sx   Whatever  light  chatter  turns  up  , she  skilfully  steers  the  conversation  back  to  her  own  trouble  with  the  maids  , or  the  difficulties  of  catering  , or  her  particular  groove .sx   She  adapts  the  conversation  to  herself  , whereas  the  male  adapts  himself  to  the  conversation .sx   There  is  a  subtle  difference .sx   

If  a  woman  is  in  love  then  she  drags  that  love  everywhere  with  her  because  it  is  part  of  herself .sx   A  career  or  a  home  occupies  her  in  exactly  the  same  manner .sx   Whatever  a  woman  does  she  does  whole-hoggedly  , from  falling  in  love  to  having  babies  and  to  leading  a  career .sx   

By  her  over-enthusiasm  a  woman  spoils  herself .sx   Until  she  sees  fit  to  alter  this  feminine  characteristic  and  makes  a  whole-heated  effort  to  conquer  the  desire  to  absorb  herself  entirely  in  her  one  interest  and  to  take  it  everywhere  with  her  , she  cannot  expect  to  get  the  best  out  of  that  interest .sx   

She  is  spinning  round  in  a  circle  and  gaining  nothing  by  it .sx   The  old  motto  " All  work  and  no  play  makes  Jack  a  dull  boy  " makes  Jill  a  dull  girl  too .sx   

AN  END  TO  THE  GLOOMY  OUTLOOK .sx   

I  have  just  been  speaking  to  a  friend  of  mine  who  is  the  owner  of  a  big  motor  works .sx   I  asked  the  usual  question .sx   

" How  are  you  getting  on ?sx   " 

" Well  , you  know  , " he  began  , then  stopped  and  laughed .sx   " No  , I'm  not  going  to  grouse .sx   " 

" Everybody  does .sx   " I  remarked  encouragingly .sx   " No  one  has  a  penny  , everyone  is  on  the  verge  of  bankruptcy  , all  our  shares  are  down  , the  shops  are  nearly  empty  , yet  you  can  hardly  get  along  the  road  for  cars  , and  certain  shops  are  paying  30  per  cent .sx   , and  there  still  are  theatres  you  cannot  get  into  without  booking  tickets  months  ahead .sx   Are  things  really  quite  as  bad  as  some  of  us  say ?sx   " 

Power  of  Thought .sx   

" In  some  trades  they  are  , " he  said  , " and  the  chief  thing  we  want  now  to  buck  things  up  , not  only  in  this  country  but  all  over  the  world  , is  a  wave  of  hope  and  happiness .sx   " 

I  agreed .sx   

" We  don't  any  of  us  realise  the  illimitable  power  of  thought  , " he  said .sx   " We've  got  into  a  bad  rut .sx   We  British  are  always  pretty  good  at  grousing  , especially  about  our  own  affairs  , and  once  we  get  down  we  have  great  difficulty  in  getting  up  again .sx   We  are  in  this  rut  , and  we're  prepared  to  stick  in  it .sx   " 

" Only  two  things  will  take  us  out  of  it  -  spending  and  advertising .sx   You  needn't  smile .sx   It  sounds  as  though  I  wanted  to  boost  my  business  , and  so  I  do  , of  course  ; but  I  want  to  boost  all  other  businesses  too  , and  only  circulating  money  and  advertising  will  do  it .sx   " 

I  am  sure  he  was  right  , but  I  go  a  step  farther .sx   We  want  good  salesmanship  as  well .sx   I  am  told  that  the  great  stories  originally  arose  in  answer  to  a  demand .sx   They  were  needed  because  of  the  way  local  shops  ignored  the  desires  of  local  shoppers .sx   Sometimes  they  ignore  them  still .sx   

Bad  Salesmanship .sx   

The  other  day  my  husband  went  into  a  shop  where  he  has  dealt  for  many  years .sx   He  wanted  a  particular  kind  of  garment .sx   The  man  who  usually  served  him  was  not  there  and  he  asked  a  young  salesman .sx   

" We  don't  keep  those  now  , " he  was  told .sx   

" I  like  that  kind  , " said  my  husband .sx   

" I  never  wear  them  myself  , " answered  the  salesman .sx   

That  settled  it .sx   No  offer  was  made  to  try  to  get  it .sx   Nothing  more  was  said  , and  my  husband  left  the  shop  in  high  dudgeon .sx   

I  suggested  my  pet  store  , and  he  not  only  got  what  he  wanted  , but  received  so  much  courtesy  and  consideration  that  he  has  transferred  his  allegiance  to  the  " men's  department .sx   " 

That  was  not  youth  , modern  manners  , or  independence .sx   It  was  bad  salesmanship .sx   

But  salesmanship  only  touches  on  one  of  the  remedies  for  world-wide  depression .sx   

Hope .sx    .sx    .sx   

There  is  another  remedy .sx   

We  need  to  raise  our  hearts  , to  put  aside  misgivings  , and  encourage  the  hope  that  will  lead  us  to  success .sx   

All  the  world  over  we  are  filling  our  subconscious  minds  with  pictures  of  financial  woe  and  misery .sx   Many  of  us  are  reaping  the  untoward  material  results  of  the  thoughts  we  have  indulged  in  since  the  war .sx   

Few  of  us  realise  the  dynamic  force  of  thought  or  we  should  not  give  way  to  such  pessimism .sx   

Hope  is  an  essential  of  supreme  value  to  us .sx   If  , instead  of  dwelling  so  deeply  and  also  so  openly  on  " hard  times  , " we  were  to  concentrate  our  minds  on  the  opulence  of  nature  , the  glorious  myriads  of  stars  in  the  sky  , the  endless  sand  grains  , the  glorious  and  bountiful  superabundance  of  seed  and  fruit  and  blossom  , we  should  feel  the  riches  that  lie  around  us  and  hope  we  would  be  renewed  and  endeavour  strengthened .sx   We  should  at  least  be  a  step  farther  on  the  road  to  prosperity .sx   

I  believe  if  we  all  started  thinking  upwards  instead  of  downwards  the  financial  status  of  the  world  would  slowly  but  surely  improve .sx   Ask  any  business  man  if  he  does  not  agree  with  me .sx   

HOLLYWOOD  HYPOCRISY  OVER  BRITISH  FILMS .sx   

By  W.  A.  MUTCH .sx   

Several  important  events  in  the  film  world  make  it  fitting  to  explain  , with  the  utmost  frankness  , the  attitude  of  the  United  States  towards  the  British  film  industry .sx   In  particular  , there  is  the  report  of  the  Canadian  Board  of  Film  Censors .sx   

This  vigorous  and  statesman-like  document  comments  with  splendid  candour  on  the  domination  of  the  United  States  in  the  world  of  pictures .sx