What is a Parasite?

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 64, 8 December 1937, Page 7

What is a Parasite?

PERISCOPE.

Sir, — Mr Christie, speaking over the air from Parliament, used the word "parasite" when referring to the intermediaries engaged in handling f arm produce. What is and what is not a parasite depends largely on the point of view. To some, trades-union secretaries 4 4 who toil not, neither do they spin" are true parasites, living, as they do, on the effiorts of others. As Mr Christie 's official life is spent rubbing noses with that class of individual, it be hoves him to be careful lest he be meluded in the same category, on the principle that "birds of a feather." In recent months 3000 young men have entered the railway service, mostly as boy-porters and cadets. It is perfectly well known that there is not sufficient work to keep these new hands fully and profitably occupied. A large part of their wages has to come from ge'neral taxation. Would it be straining fche meaning of the word too far to ca.ll them semi-jjarasites? Public Works employees who are being paid out of public funds and show no adfquate economic return for the money spent can also fairly be classed as parasitical. The wharf labourers, "who ride theMinisters/c'nights like the mare," aTe more truly parasitic on the farmer than the genilemen at whom Mr Christie eirds so vehemently. — Yours, etc.,

Central Hawke's Bay, Dec. 7, 1937.