Election Issues

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31198, 24 October 1966, Page 10

Election Issues

Sir, —Probably the most outstanding feature of this last Parliament has been the failure of the country members to protect their fellow farmers from a deteriorating financial situation. With deflation operating in our main market (Great Britain) it surely was their duty to put the brake on inflation in this country. The Australian farmers appear to be much better served. They have half their wool levy paid by their Government, a realistic exchange rate, subsidised petrol cartage to country areas and protection in their home markets from New Zealand agricultural exporters. They seem to have only to voice a complaint to get action. This probably can be credited to their Country Party who hold the balance of power. We are not so lucky. In this election we have only the choice between Socialism and neglect. Perhaps we would be better served by a New Zealand Country Party. —Yours etc. H. M. STEVENS. Cheviot, October 21, 1966.

Sir, —For “Doremus Jessop’s” further information, the “obscure” New Zealand Keynesian Party holds, on many issues, similar views to those of the British Liberal Party. We aim to be a progressive but non-socialist party. With exceptions where special hardships would be involved, our “up to 5 per cent” of compulsory saving would apply to most wage and income earners. Compulsory savings accounts could be drawn from after three years, but compulsory transfer of a small percentage of wages and incomes to these special savings accounts would continue. The scheme would divert an extra amount of up to £l5O million in three years from consumer consumption to Government loans to businessmen and farmers to start new factories and increase future production. Half the money, our policy states, should be used to help start factories in underdeveloped countries to produce things we import under agreements for rapid repayment of the loans in goods.—Yours, etc., MARK D. SADLER, Policy Co-ordinator, N.Z.K.P.P. Octboer 21, 1966.