PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20491, 6 May 1938, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Corrcpondents are requested to write in ink. It is essential that anonymous writers enclose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith. Unless this rule is complied with, their letters will not appear.

TO CORREBPONDENTB

Count von Latteratt.—-Not for publication. F. W. Pope.—An advertisement. “J.T.D."—lnquiries are being made. H. Woodruffe.—Held over, as the issue will arise later on.

CIVIO ELECTIONS

(To the Editor) Sir,—Your correspondent “Qul Pense" states that one of the eondldates on the ticket sponsored by the Hamilton Citizens’ Association is proceeding for an extended trip to Europe immediately after the election. Some months ago I arranged to make a hurried trip to England on personal business, leaving New Zealand on May 13, 1938. This position was explained to the gentlemen who requested me to submit my name as a candidate for the council. They took up the attitude that, as there is no question of a bvelection involved, as T will if elected) serve over two and a half years of my term, and as there is plenty of precedent for councillors (here and elsewhere) taking trips overseas, my nomination should proceed. If the electors think otherwise I am sorry, but as all arrangements are made I must go. —I am, etc., F. C. HOUSE. Hamilton, May 5.

SOCIAL SECURITY

(To the Editor) Sir, —There is in Mr Gillespie’s letter hardly anything worthy of a reply. He had no need to tell us that he is an idealist, for his failure to face facts tells us that. I am a firm believer in the principle of national superannuation, and have advocated :t for years, but only on a basis fair and just to all citizens, not on the spoliatory basis of the present, scheme. Evidence recently given before the Parliamentary Committee has shown definitely how unjust this is regarded by those covered by present schemes who are to be called upon to pay full taxation towards this alleged national superannuation scheme from which they will not derive a penny of benefit. But this crude scheme is* regarded by the Labour Party as a great vote-catching stunt, and will be bullocked through Parliament in spite of its glaring defects.—l am. etc., A. WARBURTON. Ngaruawahia, April 30.

TO-DAY’S REQUIREMENTS

(To the Editor) Sir.—Tf “Common Sense" were to sign his name to his literary efforts, that would be common sense: otherwise he is betraying the very principles he advocates—viz., honesty of purpose. He says: “Mr Tuck asserts that imported goods are bought with New Zealand money.” He does not deny that, but tries to put words into my letter that were not there—and never were intended to be there—something about inflation. Surely we are a strange people. Getting out of bed in the dark on the misconceived belief that it is, or was, essential to earning a living. I doubt if it were necessary at any time, and certainly not to-day, to get up at 4 o’clock and continue till 7 or 8 at night. What do we invent machinery for if not to shorten our hours of labour? How did people live before machinery was put in the shed, and the now* universally-used method of leg-roping (of which I was the originator). “Common Sense" wants people to believe that we must work harder, adopt new and improved methods, to earn a living, and leave the exchange system in the same old way. Truly we are a strange people, slaving, toiling and moiling along, as our unfortunate forebears did. Perhaps they had to, for they were in a scarcity age: and vet we have people advocating the same old obsolete system of exchange or finance, as though it was something sacred and not for man to interfere with. Rut the party of which I am a member intends to bring order out of chaos, and print just sufficient notes, etc., as will buy what goods we want and produce —no more, and certainly no less. “There is some fallacious reasoning in this theory of Mr Tuck’s." Yes, that is always said about new ideas, theories or methods. All through history it has been the same, but in another three years of Labour’s beneficent rule, New Zealand, or all except those “monops. ’’ we meet in all ages and countries, will be better off—more content.

Every nation is trying to produce more and export it, and at the same time asking or compelling its nationals to accept less purchasing power—i.e., wages, etc. Of all the erroneous theories that idea takes the prize. We have the power to assess values —all values are man-made. We could insulate New Zealand and conduct our economic life just as easily, and with half the labour, as at present. “Can't be done," say some people. Why not? Why not try a new method—a method that would not leave a chain of debt round our children’s necks?

The peoples do not realise it yet. They are still thinking-—or, let me suggest, being led along in that old belief by vested interests. Let me reiterate that the more we export the poorer we become. We must export some of our produce to pay the bill incurred. I suggested through your columns some years ago that before people could visualise a change they had to throw their old ideas overboard and endeavour to adopt newer and more modern conception’s of to-day’s requirements. I am more convinced now than ever that I was advocating a truth.—l am, etc., C. J. TUCK. Rotorua. May 2.

ANENT THRIFT j

(To the Editor) Sir,—Mr John Sykes, in his lengthy epistle, Indulges In a couple of slap* at the churches, to which I desire to enter a protest. Mr Sykes, I fe«l sure, during his long business career, has had ample evidence that church, people generally are not of the type he so gloatingly portrays— lf he has not his experience is unique. Possibly the records would show that Mr Sykes’s “awful examples” were not as black as he sought to paint them; it is easy to Judge, but a Just man is sure of the Justness of his Judgments, and the charitable man is prone to give his brother the benefit of all doubts. Regarding and carefulness, does Mr Sykes know the genesis of j Guy's Hospital. London, the founder jof which exercised thrift and self- | denial to the extent of miserdom, but ; thereby he has served many generaj tions who have "had cause to bless his memory? Thomas Guy’s mode of life must, however, have been a cheap target for the censors of his day who were unable to realise that there may be a high motive in Die exercise of thrift, even lo the extent of rigid parsimony.—i am, etc., V.D.L. Hamilton, May 4.

NATIONAL PARTY

(To the Editor) Sir. —The information provided by “National" was welcome, if perhaps a little unconvincing. It Is very gratifying to learn that “the old gang" in tho National Party Is in tiie process of being thrown overboard, and I trust that these gentlemen will take duo note of tiie fact. Among the candidates mentioned by your correspondent as being “new” members of the “new" National Party is Mr A. S. Sutherland. The Press report of his selection stales that "ho has long been a supporter of the National Party, and has been chairman of the Ngaruawahia branch on several occasions”—nothing verv “new" about that! The other matter on which I desired information was the compensating price. It is now three months since the Hon. Adam Hamilton included the four points in his party’s policy (presumably at the expressed wish of the majority of individuals in the party). Since it appears to be the only constructive Idea yet adopted, one would expect to hear it propounded vigorously on all sides by Nationalist speakers, but without exception they avoid it as if it were a very plague. There is a growing feeling among farmers that the National Party is not sincere in its attitude to this important subject, and I would be grateful if “National" can explain the eloquent silence of the speakers referred to.— I am, etc., B, FARMER. Hamilton, May 2.

SOCIALIST OONTROL

(To the Editor) Sir, —The day Is fast approaching when the citizens of Hamilton will be called upon to record their votes and elect their representatives to the Hamilton Borough Council, Waikato Hospital Board and Auckland Harbour Board. In Hamilton, and practically right throughout the principal towns of New Zealand, the Labour Party have nominated their representatives to control the destinies of the respective local bodies concerned. In Hamilton we have experienced a large amount of controversy and friction over the removal of Garden Place Hill, and no doubt it would not be hard to -find Instances of local parochial differences amongst most local bodies. To all those people who believe In a policy of economic and political freedom, to all those who are opposed to the doctrinaire of the Socialist, I would make an urgent appeal to bury all parochial differences and unite to fight the Socialists’ penetration into the local as well as the national affairs of government. All thinking men and women realise the tremendous issue at stake, and which is to be decided at the next general election—the adoption of the Labour Party’s platform of the “socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange," or a continuance of that democratic freedom which has made New Zealand what It is, and which seems to be peculiar only to the Eng-lish-speaking peoples. The issue to be decided at the municipal election is the same, no more, no less.

The Labour Party tell us that they are not going to give us Socialism on the lines of Russia, but are going to achieve it in a democratic manner and by constitutional means. This is the method that the leading English Socialists say must be adopted, so we see the Socialists in New Zealand are following the English Socialists rather than those of the U.S.S.R. Read what Major Attlee, leader of the Labour Party in England has to say as regard to local bodies, “Whatever other steps may be taken to get the wheels of industry turning, and to utilise the labour power of the country, it is certain that much of the work must be found through the agency of the local authorities. Here we are at once brought up against the suitability of the existing local authorities." Again: “Although for normal times I support tiie British tradition of local government, I consider that in a period of critical transition, when society is undergoing a fundamental change, it is essential that there should be available in each locality on administrative machine which will he energised and controlled by the central Government, - ’ Again, when referring to the administration of the central Government’s policy: “Two things are necessary—the construction of the appropriate machinery and the overcoming of Die indifference or hostility of some local authorities." He then goes on to suggest regional commissioners with authority over the different local bodies. He states, inter alia: “The commissioner is not to be a solitary autocrat. His job essentially is to work with others, with the local authorities, with the tradesmen, with the co-operative societies, and last, but most important, with the local Socialists.” These quotations are taken from a lecture delivered by Major Attlee to members of the Labour movement m (Continued In previous column)

England. and published In a book entitled “Problems of a Socialist Government.” II can readily be seen from the above quotations how necessary the Socialists consider is the proper and strict control of the local authorities. Hence that is why we have the Labour ticket for the municipal bodies. The Labour Party have thrown out the challenge. Let us accept it. at the same time remembering that we can only win if we are united and stand together.—l am, etc.. Hamilton, May 4. RIGHTIST.