The Budget

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 12

The Budget

Sir, —Nobody need complain of br call Mr Nordmeyer’s a Black Budget any longer, for this one is the blackest in the history of New Zealand’s Parliament. It clearly shows the very poor financial conditions of this country and it urgently needs the take-over by a new government.— Yours, etc., O. BRYDGES. June 22, 1966. Sir, —“Disillusioned Nationalist” is obviously disappointed the National Government did not increase the price of beer, tobacco, and cigarettes and petrol, as Labour djd in 1958. Of course Labour had to pay for their reckless and irresponsible promises, which bought them into power, even to the extent of withholding pay increases which were due to pensioners and public servants. Your correspondent claims credit for social security, but he is unable to name a single benefit payable in New Zealand today which was not payable before the first Labour Government went into office. National could have kicked the working man again as Labour did, and no doubt the Labour Party leader would have congratulated them for it, as he congratulated the Labour Minister of Finance in 1958 on the Black Budget. Congratulations to Mr Lake on protecting those •in the lower income group and, where necessary, hitting the man who can afford to pay.— Yours, etc., DISILLUSIONED LABOURITE. June 22, 1966.

Sir,—A gentleman speaking on television last week said: “There is nothing in the Bud-

get for the workers.” I would like to say there is nothing in the Budget for widows, and has never been. The cost of food, clothing, rates, and transport have all gone up and now there is talk of increasing the cost of electricity. What chance has a widow, under 65, on an annuity or a fixed income, of managing with the increased cost of everything? Perhaps if widows made as much fuss as the workers, there might be something for them in a future Budget.—Yours, etc., FED UP. June 22, 1966.