STRONG WORDS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 412, 22 December 1932, Page 4

STRONG WORDS

CEOTL II. 1

CLlb'iB

(To the Editor) Sir — I fear that had I sut; to you my first reply to the abt; just and ill-informed speecli |[ surely not a sermon) I too \vou!; come under the same notice, ever, I will content myself i brief a statement as possible s out some of the- facts(1) A bell is not soundedi sure a majority. From timefe orial, when a division is about taken, a bell rings so that no irshall be denied the opportuE record his vote. (2) A member's dutie^b many things other than listec debates, in fact they are mostl; men who, in spite of the w. gentleman's opinion, are c troubled by to-day's conditiou, (3) The reverend gentleraaj he may have to close the Cityl for laclc of funds but ignorestb that Parliament is in dire w funds and can only increasepaj: to one section at the expe 1 others. (4) The people are now tas ■most beyond endurance to ass only the unfortunate butinm: stances the thriftless unwortby, (5)1 would challenge there: gentleman to mention one c: past or present that has done doing so much for the elmina: poverty and distress as New k Unemployment funds amounti: £3, 500, 000. Old Age pensions started with 6/11 per week bats increased from time to timet 15/-, 17/6 and are well over 1: The expenditure in 1931 £1,158,788 and the 1933 esi were £250,000. Widows' pension which is was absorbing £29,326 in 19;: grown to £325,998 while iLp rnate for 1933 is £310,000. S Family allowances 1926 have: from £37,653 in 1928 to £63/ 1931 and £90,000 in 1932 an estimate for 1933 is £120,000. Miners' pensions in 1921 £26,9777, in 1925 £38,500, ia £45,096, in 1930 £58,444, ands j £69,954 and the estimate for 11 £71,000. War pensions in 1931 t £245,499 and pensions for the £15,796. There are some other smali | but these indicate a total (•' j £6,500,000. We despised i | sentatives of the people have t ' sider others besides the indfe j There are many to-day sustai a spirit of self reliance just k on paying their way by strlC denialThere is the farming class, vlong hours for a meagre eland often unavoidably goiti debt. I see no unexploited ( of taxation and yet we are find money to meet demandst held up to exeeration for not \ out in largess that which we k got. Now one strong word. I will not agree to increased for _ unemployment unless itfr turn full value for the extra Yours etc., ■

Rotorua, Deeember 21. ||