This Freedom

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 63, 7 December 1937, Page 7

This Freedom

S. J.

TURNEE.

Sir, — -It is very interesting to note I have pleased your correspondent "Who's Afraid" by causing him to know I am a istaunch supporter of our present Government, but he seems very aimoyed to know the truth as to the origiuation of the proposed legislation compelling persons to sign their names to letters to the Press. He isays he is afraid for fear of victimisation; then he has no confidence in Ms ability and less in the political horse he is bacltng. Let me say an employer likes a man far better that is straight-out from the shoulder; "like it or lump it," with any views, than the two-faeed man who agrees to his face and stabs him behiud his back with nom-de-plume. "Who's Afraid" then goes on to another subject, affairs as he terms — viz., the Government purchasing of various business. Well, Sir, if the Government cah manage big business for the benefit of the masses it is far better .than the business profits all going to one family to be hoarded up till we see in the Press Mr Merchant's estate has been sworn for probate to the tune uf a cool half-million, valuated, of course, at a conservative price. Oh, no. "Who's* Afraid" must wake up to know big fortunes out of labour 's slavery is like the buggy and pair — a thing of the past. No doubt he is one ot those gentlemen that loves that old song, "Britons Never Shall be Slaves"; no, they never were slaves, were they? No, not even in my younger days, when our sisters went to work in shops or dressmaking, etc., at nothing per week for six months, then 2/6 per week, and then put off just before her rise to 5/was due and replaced with another starter on nothing a week. To-day we are seeing those old business people fast dying and leaving their vast estates. I myself went at 13 years old to learn the baking trade. I started at 3 a.m. and was finished at 5 p.m. every day for the large wage of 3/- PEr week — 6d per day — and not allowed to eat a bun even. There were no Labour Governments in \those good old days that - our young people hear so much about, but living was cheaper. so we hear. Yes, half-starving was cheaper. Living was oue-third cheaper thap at present, Compare it with the wages of to-day. Conservatives had full control in those days, with no Labour in view. Absolutely wi,pe out Labour., aud you will soon see whether Britons will ever be slaves. • "Who's Afraid" states that eveu txades unions do not approve of the Government 's actions. He must xemember tho Saviour was muxdered for trying to help all mankind; to-day is ioved and honoured from one end of the world to the other. And even some of our preseut Ministeis of the^ Crown wero thrown into prison for telling the truth and figbting a battle for the masses. Can we not see^ the promiues in the good old Book coming true oyery day? One especially that promises, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy-ladened, and I will give you

No, "Who's Afraid,'' your biassed ideas are not worth a straw. Time keeps rolling along, and I too believe there is nothing to fear. only the loss r^-r- n nTi/>-siflp.d Government. — Yours, etc.,

Hastings, Dec. 5, 1937.