“POLITICAL NONSENSE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24418, 2 October 1940, Page 9

“POLITICAL NONSENSE”

TO IHE EDITOII

Sir, —In your correspondence columns last week “ Patriot ” severely castigated the chairman of directors of the , Farmers’ Co-op., Oamaru, for certain remarks made by him at the annual meeting of the company. As a small shareholder. I have carefully _ perused the press report of the meeting, and can state without fear of contradiction that the sentiments expressed by Mr Hedges are fully endorsed by every true patriotic citizen in this Dominion. In sounding a note of warning against the evil effects of the conscription of wealth, that parrot cry of the Socialists, the chairman has brought forth a rebuke from “ Patriot,” who says that an “ all in ” war policy means in effect “ that the remnant of property is to be restored to the original owners after those who have done war service have been generously rewarded." Exactly. This is the pure and unadulterated “ tosh ” one hears ofrom the “ something for nothing ” diehards found in the ranks of extreme Labour. It may surprise “ Patriot ” to learn that Mr Armstrong. Minister of Health, a self-styled financial authority, endorses Mr Pledges’s views on this subject. He recently answered a critic such as “ Patriot ” in these terms:— “The argument that the money for the war can be obtained from the rich could be better employed in countries other than New Zealand, where there are not so many poor and not so many rich. The national income is more equitably divided than in any other country; the average wage of the males over 16 years of age is £5 per week. If the rich alone were taxed the amount required would not be obtained. Moreover, the workers of New Zealand are, in proportion to income, let down more lightly and the rich are taxed heavier than in any other country.” But “Patriot” conveniently ignores other and more important matters in the address referred to.. At this time of intense national anxiety, when a desire for freedom burns in every human heart, Mr Hedges P er " tinently asks what is New Zealand Labour doing in answer to its country s call. Mr Webb and his labour union leaders stand condemned in the eyes of the nation for the ignoble part they played in the greatest hour of their country’s need. This does not apply to the rank and file. who. actuated by patriotic zeal, have appealed in vain for the right to work more than 40 hours weekly. So long as Labour politicians and labour union executives are prepared to subordinate the wider interests of Empire to their own selfish political motives and a lust for power, so long must all true patriots suffer . the ignominy and humiliation inflicted upon them by political adventurers—l am, etc.. Shareholder.