Letters to the Editor

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 68, 13 December 1937, Page 9

Letters to the Editor

In Defence of Labour

Sir% — "P.S. " shows such extraordinary ignorance of the law that I wonder he poses as a critic. I phss over his remarks about myself — they are irrelevant. I gave instances of the manner in Avhich our liberty has been curtailed: for instance, I said "one must join a trade union or starve. " What is his reply? He talks of preference to unionists and says it was made laiv by Seddon. This is Avrong; it was never the law, but was optional at the discietion of the Court. He goes on to say that it Avas taken away; he is vvrong again. That power Avas not taken away. He then says the present Government has "only restored preference"; he is wrong again. The Act of 1936 made it conipulsory to join a union or i'orfeit the ragnt to work in any mdustry governed by an award. All his talk of preference to unionists; even if right, is beside the point. There is no preference to-day, only coinpulsion. Is this liberty? 1 instanced compalsion to contribute to party funds. Your correspondent quotes "The Trade Union Act" and says "no niember may be levied for poiitical purposes. " This is simply untrue because (1) such levies can be and have been made this year, and (2) there is no such "Trade Union Act," a* he allcges. I instanced the need for a licenc'e before starting a business. "P.S." seems to believe that the recent law giving a Minister power to prohibit a new business to start has br.on in operation for years. Again he shoAvs complete ignorance of f act. The ' ' industrial efficiency" legislation has given powers to the Minister such as no Minister has ever had before; and there is no appeal. "P.S." talks of the "guaranteed price"; there is no such thing. There is however, a compul'sory purchase of dairy produce at the Minister 's price. "P.S." may like this and it may suit him, but it is not a good example of "liberty," which he says has not been taken aAvay. The farmer's liberty to dispose of his produce has been taken aAvay by laAV. I instanced how the liberty of a house-owner has been taken away. "P.S." challenges this and says: "If a man owns a cottage and has let it for a'term he still can get possession when the term is up. " Sheer ignorance again on his part. The law says that the tenant has the right to remain in possession so long as he pays his rent, unless the owner finds him anotner cottage. "P.S." advises me to consult shareholders' lists and dispel my belief that big companies are owned by a multitude of small shareholders. I made that statement after consulting the lists of shareholders. "P.S." denies that he said the electors could not change the Government. I never charged him with saying so. He said it could only be done by Fascist methods, and that is what I ealled -wicked propaganda. I repeat that opinion. He accuses me of being an "Ananias." I will not return the compliment, because I put his extraordinary misstatements. down to ignorance of the legislation; otherwise they can only be deliberate untruths easily disproved. — Yours, etc., "AJAX." Hastings, Dec. 10, 1937. . Government's Financial Policy . Sir, — We get a lot of criticism of the present Government through the Press and otherwise, regarding their financial policy. They are termed "prodigal," "spendthrift," etc. Now, perhaps, a few figures would not be amiss on this question. In the past two years, this Government has done something that no other Government has done: for two years in succession it has reduced the overseas debt of New Zealand. That is, it has repaid £5-million of our debt to Great Britain. Now, this year, there is a net increase in the Public Debt of £5,109,192, held in New Zealand. During the jmsu year there was spent on Public Work3 and loan conversions combined £1,772,705 out of loan moneys. Those are Bu&are two very laTge sums that should get figures. Of tho £5,109,102 net increase, there not be called debt at all. They are really national investments. One is £1,670,569, spent in purchasing the Southland Eleetric Power Board undertaking. Another is the £1,655,728 spent on the acquisition of shareholders' interests in the Reserve Bank and the Mortgage •Corporation, which have large securities providing a very hand* some revenue for the Government. Tliese two national investments accouuc for no less than £3,326,297, out of tho £5,109,102, leaving a balance of £1.* 782,805, which can fairly be called an increase in national indebtness. Of this amount debt conversion and housing account for £736,070, leaving only £1,046,735 of boi'rowed money tJ be a charge against Public Works. Tho fact is that no Government m the history of NeAV Zealand has ever earried out as much in the way of Public Works out of revenue as the present G-overnment. They are paying their way. Not only is the Government getting out of debt, but the people are also getting out of debt. What are the facts? Last year tho mortgages registered totalled £19,788,S74 and the mortgages discharged amOunted to £20,554,254, a difference on the right side of £755, 3S0. The Post Office Savings Bank deposits for 1937 have increased by £3,304,966. Tlie otdinary trading-bank returns show flint the overdrafts of their clients have been reduced. Now for the other side of the picture. Under anti-Labour in 192S, our overseas debt increased by £7,000,000; in 1929 it again increased another £10.000,000. In the same years, private mortgages piled up to an alarming w«ctent. In 1928 the mortgage^ registered amounted to £33.000,000 and tho mortgages discharged 1o £24,000,000, un increase in national indebtedness. mortgages registered amounted to £33,000,000 and the mortghges discharged

to £25,000,000, or an increase of £5,000,000. And mark this: 1928 and 1929 wero not slump years. Now, who is the "prodigal," "spendthrift," Government? — this one or it's predecessors? — Yours, etc., P.S. Hastings, Deeember 19, 1937. (Other letters to the Editor are held ov6f for publication to-motfi6w).