Page 1 Advertisements Column 5

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 520, 6 April 1920, Page 1

TEMPORA MUTANTUR ET NOS MUT.V.MUR IN ILLIS. (The times are changing, and we with them.) The Evolution of Economics. IT doesD't require a professor of economics to {rive the reason why. Prior to the war the Dominion's man-power wa9 about 300,000. Out of this 112,50(.the flower of tlie land, enlisted; 17,000 have paid the supreme sacrifice, and about 20 000 permanently incapacitated, and the recant epidemic adds another 5,000, making the total 42,000; and, with no immigration, we will be handicapped tor a year or so. And does not this also apply to the whole of the Empire? During the second year ot the war, production of man a requirements was reduced materially, and our armies and munition workers had adopted a tt igner standard of living, and twice as much used in the shape of clothing, bxjts, „ieat, butter, cheese, etc., etc.. which thousands upon thousands unfortunately were never accustomed to prior to the war, and at the time the prices of those commodities were not a burden to the soldier and the munition workers m in the first instance the soldier didn't pay for them, and the munition workera didn t feel them owing to the enormous wages paid. Now the war has ceased the soldier is seel'ing employment and the munition worker's wages, for argument sake are down to about 35 per cent over pre-war rates, with his requirements about 50 to 60 per cent high a r, owing to the worid's shortage and with a desire to live at the same status as during the war. The Empire's whee's of industry (with a tired people) are at a reduced speed for the want of raw materia , and the products of the land am about two years behind, and until they gf t back to normal, and with huge shortages as at present, the pinch' will be Wt. The workers rightly demand a higher standard of living, which creates a heaver demand on production, and until it is overtaken, with the Continent on the verge of starvation, how can prices recede. If they do, wages must also, in a line with Japan and other Eastern countries. This is a complex question. Profits are now taxed 7s 6d in the £. For instance, an industrial concern with a working capital of £IOO,OOO, paying 7 per cent., yielding £7,000, is taxed 7s 6d in the £, which brings its earning power down to about 4% per cent. Who would be worried about industry when War Bonds are paying per cent., free from taxation? This is the question to be considered for the salvation of the Dominion. Champion wishes his people to understand that this essay is not for advertising purposes, but to guide his candidates, as he is an acknowledged authority on economics as well as muscle-raising. v., AUCKLAND.

JOHN ROUTIY, A.N.Z.I.A. REGISTERED ARCHITECT. 20 Empire Buildings, BWANSON ST., AUCKLAND.