Page 1 Advertisements Column 5

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 522, 13 April 1920, Page 1

TEMPORA MUTANTUR ET NOS MUTAMUR IN ILLIS. (The times are changing, and we with them.) The Evolution of Economics* IT doesD't require a professor of economics to give the reason why. Prior to the war the Dominion's man-power was about 300,000. Out of this 112,50(1. the flower of the land, enlisted ; 17,000 have paid the supreme sacrifice, and aboqt -0,000 permanently incapacitated, and the recent epidemic adda another 5,000, making the total 42,000; and, with no immigration, we will be handicapped for 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's requirements ws« reduced materially, and our armies and munition workers had adopted a higher standard of living, and twice as much used in the shape of clothing, bx>ta, .aeat, batter, cheese, etc., etc., which thousands upon thousands unfortunately were never accustomed to prior to the war, and at th 9 time the prices of those commodities were not a burden to the soldier and the munition workers as in tto first instance the soldier didn't pay for them, and the munition workers didn't feel them owing to the enormous wages paid. Now the war has ceased the soldier is seeHng employment and the munition worker's wages, for argument sake are down to about 35 per cent over pre-war rateß, with his requirements about 50 to GO per cent higher, owing to the world's shortage and with a desire to live at the same status as during the war. The Empire's wheels of industry (with a tired people) are at a reduced speed for the want of raw material, and the products of the land are about two years behinl, and until they get back to normal, and with huge shortages as at present, the pinch will be felt. 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 vejgts 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. AUCKLAND.

JOHN ROUT7.Y, REGISTERED ARCHITECT. 20 Empire Buildings, WANSON ST., AUCKLAND.