THE NEED FOR ECONOMY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 215, 9 June 1920, Page 7

THE NEED FOR ECONOMY

Sir,—l am sorry to see that Mr. MasBey's well-intentioned advice to economise in every direction and produce more, is nqt being taken seriously, for I seo demands everywhere for increased pay, and 6trange to say shorter hours of labour. 'What is needed to ensuro prosperity and contentment in this Dominion, where the principal artioles of food are so plentiful and comparatively cheap, is to practico the old virtues c" our grandfathers and mothers, viz., industry, self-Testraint, forethought, end a give-and-tako spirit not only amongst ourselves, but towards other people In the world. An oxcessivc consumption of any article, especially imported articles, is almost a crime, as we aro depriving thoso less fortunately circumstanced of their just share. Sugar is a ca?e in pojnt, as the consumption hnro has never been reduced, and even now is 2}lb. per head per week for every man, woman, and child in tho Dominion* whilo the ration during the war at Home was only one ounce per head per week, and Is now only an ounce and a half, whilo the price'hero is less than half 'hat in any other, part of tho habitable gloho. Anyone with a vegetable patch or ovena backyard can nroduco something, if in keroseno tins, and potatoes are now grown in layers, cne above tho other, in openly fenced enclosures a few feet square. Prudent neople will reduce the consumption oflm.norted articles to a minimum, and if t\r. Mnssey is wise, and as Treasurer ho can well afford it with increased ad valorem duties, ho* should forbid the importation of all luxuries and extravagances in female, as well as male, attire, and motor-cars for joyriders, which have become a danger to pedestrians and others. For my own part I am practising all I nreach, and am prodwing two vegetables daily for dinner and some to sparo for my less energetic neighbours and discontinued entirely the personal use of tobacco, tea, and sugar, but have not deprived or tried to deprive the members of my own household. I mar, however, state that with my porridge and milk for breakfast, and cheese in some form for the evening meal, I am the healthiest member of the household, and am drinking milk or milk and water, and an occasional—not dailyof the "crather" w'hen a neighbour pays me a visit—l am, etc.', PATER FAMILIAS.