LABOUR AND THE DEPRESSION

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22508, 16 September 1938, Page 15

LABOUR AND THE DEPRESSION

TO THE EDITOB OB THB PRESS. Sir, —Your correspondent, “Elector,” under the heading of “Labour Party and the Depression,” criticises the Labour Party because, according to him the Labour Party refused to co-operate with the Government during the depression. In point of fact such .cooperation between the Labour Party and the Tory (Coalition or National) with their sharply conflicting philosophies and representing different social classes was never possible. The National or Coalition Party represents and acts as spokesman for the great monopolists concerns such as the banks, insurance companies, stock and station agencies, freezing works, shipping combines, squatters, etc., which draw immense profits through the exploiting bleeding, and oppressing the tollers of New Zealand, whether working farmers or workers. The Labour Party represents the exploited section of the people, namely. the working class working farmers and middle classes, all of whose interests are identical and maintaining the unity of whom undei the Labour Government is essential for the further progress of New Zealand. . ~ Under capitalism the interests of the capitalists and the workers inevitably conflict. Profits can. in a slump, only be maintained for the capitalists, who constitute only a vdry small percentage of the people by cutting down the income of the workers either by raising prices or cutting wages and social services. The income of the toilers can only be maintained by cutting into the profits of the capitalists. Here we have the basic and real reason for the contrary actions of the Labour and Coalition Parties when in power. II was inevitable that the Coalition should make the whole burden of the last crisis fall on the workers and farmers, and not on the great monopolies. In the world crisis that is looming on the horizon, the Labour Party will make the great monopolist concerns bear the main burden by taxing the wealthy and alleviating the condition of the toilers This election will be the most important in the history of New Zealand and will be fought not on the question of Socialism, which is only the ultimate ideal and aim of the Labour Party, but its immediate programme of humanitarian and progressive reforms in the interest of all the toilers, and the presentation of traditional liberties and democracy against the so-called National Party, which is rapidly becoming Fascist in its methods, propagandr and aim.—Yours, etc., S. H. BECK. Rangiora, September 13, 1938.