Government Policy

Press, Volume C, Issue 29510, 11 May 1961, Page 3

Government Policy

Sir,—Mr Nash’s comments on the increased -charge for electricity and his criticism of Government planning to make the economic burden more intolerable for the workingclass family would imply that he is a social reformer with the interest of the working family at heart. It would do so, if we could not recall his harsh administration directed at the family of the working man—his taxes on beer, tobactfo, and petrol. He ufed the same excuse for this savage taxation as Mr Holyoake has done for the repressive economic measures which he has adopted: it is simply a case of the pot calling the kettle black. It is said that there is no difference between Labour and National. At least the excuses that they offer for the repressive economic measures adopted are the same—a depleted Treasury and falling markets. We have not forgotten, either, the encouragement Labour gave to monopolies.—Yours, etc., JOHN FORSTER. May 9, 1961.

Sir, —As a National Party supporter, I was shocked to learn that hospital charges for the aged are to be increased. Mr Holyoake promised that he would not interfere with social security. Thousands of us are becoming disgusted with our leaders because they ,are increasing power charges, curtailing the construction of State rental houses, and trying to charge us for drugs prescribed by our doctors. However, interference with our free hospital scheme is more than we are prepared to tolerate because we prefer the present system enacted by Labour, despite our strenuous opposition, to a system of charitable aid from the rates. Furthermore, those of us who can intend to register our protests in the ballot box on June 10.— Yours, etc.,

THOROUGHLY DISILLUSIONED. May 6, 1961.