INDUSTRIAL CHANGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 125, 28 May 1937, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL CHANGES

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The report of Mr. Mazengarb's address to the W.E.A. shows that he repeated a lot of debatable points, which are always represented to the public by the National party as "largely illusory." He states, "Increased prosperity had already given or would have given higher wages to those who by reason of their skill, energy, and personality were always able to obtain a bigger share of the general wage fund.'" He says, "Had already given or would have. given," thus attempting to take away any credit from the Government for what it did to increase prosperity before his "would have given" had time to hatch. Again, what is the general wages fund? Is it his imagination,.and would it be the same before and after the establishment of the public works authorised by the Government and before and after the increase in wages and salaries? As all classes shared in the increases on a percentage basis how could one eat into the other as he suggests? The argument is quite illogical ,and contrary to fact. Then he, a Reform-Nationalist, has the temerity to point to a bad feature, in that "the arbitrary will of the Legislature has1 been substituted for the considered decision of a tribunal." Does ha remember the passing of "the 25 per cent, high exchange, the devaluation of New Zealand currency under exactly the same. conditions by the Government he endeavoured to represent in Parliament? As to decisions by a tribunal outside of Parliament did not the country unmistakably give its verdict that it .wanted a Government that would govern and not delegate its duties? Is not this what the Government has done, and where in any part of the world has any Government done more in one session of Parliament? , As to agricultural- workers having wages fixed under a guaranteed price scheme, unless something of the kind had been done the dairy industry would have totally collapsed and although not found in the law it is found in higher teaching, "the labourer is worthy of his hire." Agricultural workers are as much entitled to a living as professional gentlemen.—l am, etc.,.. ■ EQUITY. May 25. *