The Henson Journals

[64]

Whit Monday, June 9th, 1930.

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Does any informed and considering person think that there is any prospect of such a revival of British Industry as will absorb the mass of unemployed persons?

Does any such person doubt that the quality of British workmen is steadily deteriorating both by continuing idleness on the part of many, & by the emigration abroad of the energetic?

Is it not apparent that the so–called 'rationalisation' of industry involves the reduction of the number of men employed?

If, then, the unemployment, which confronts us, is, not a temporary phenomenon due to causes, which need not continue, but rather a fact which will continue & grow greater, is it not fatuous to go on meeting it with a device (i.e. the dole & rate–relief) which can only be justified as an exigency method?

Is it not obvious that a dole–fed population must degenerate, economically & morally, into a class of 'lazzaroni', both fertile and futile, to the undoing of the nation?

"The new way in Industry, an Analysis of Rationalisation" reprinted from the Times, May, 1930, is curiously silent on the increase of unemployment involved in the process.

[65]

The weather is plainly deteriorating, & might truly be described as chilly, gusty, & tending to rain.

I began to prepare my speech to the Individualist Club on "The British Lazzaroni – A Post War phenomenon". The notes on the Unemployed sent to me at my request from the following clergy are rather striking. They came from the following, all of whom I account to be exceptionally well–informed & trustworthy men:–

1.	Canon Stephenson (Gateshead)
2.	" Stack (Gateshead)
3.	" Poole (West Hartlepool)
4.	Rev. W Wright (Sunderland)
5.	" A. F. Marr (Hebburn)
6.	" J. Book (Jarrow)
7.	" S. Davison (West Auckland)
8.	" J. H. Jackson (Chester–le–Street)

The Rev. Graham White, formerly Vicar of Dawdon, who is now on holiday, & will return to the Malay State, where he is working, in a few weeks came on a short visit. I gather that he is "cruising about" for benefice: & is rather sorry that he declined my offer of S. Paul's, West Hartlepool.

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