The Government’s Record

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 106, 29 January 1935, Page 11

The Government’s Record

Sir, —It seems that while you have not sought to disprove my indictment of the Government, a correspondent in this morning’s paper endeavours to side-track the issue by talking in terms of “Alice in Wonderland” economics. It is a pity Mr. Wilson did not recognise that I charged the Government specifically with impoverishing the people by restrictive and oppressive laws. He charges me with “beating the air,” whereas I -beat the Government with rods of its own making, and I am particular to be always in a position to back up my statements, by logical discussion or actual proof. In this case, actual proof. I am accused of omitting to take into account the most pressing problem. Is there any more pressing problem than poverty? Ido not think there is, and I deal .with the causes of that poverty. Mr. Wilson makes out that the Government or somebody should make prices cover “costs,” thereby inferring that producers are heavily in debt. They are, but not owing to costs of production. The elimination of debts means the elimination of poverty, and I again state that this Government has increased poverty instead of diminishing it, by tariffs, quotas, subsidies, grants, public works, conferences and agreements, and oppressive laws. Perhaps either Mr. Wilson or yourself will give me a straight agreement or denial on that point. When I receive that, I shall be only too pleased to enter on a short discussion on cost’s and prices with Mr. Wilson.—l am, etc., E. W. NICOLAUS. Wellington, January 28.