PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20497, 13 May 1938, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correpondents 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.

INBULATING THE DOMINION (To the Editor) Sir,—Many people are very dubious about the existence of any Government plan for the Insulation of New Zealand in case another slump comes, and Mr Savage has failed to produce one when publicly challenged to do so. The following table shows in a striking manner how dependent New Zealand is upon exports and the impossibility of warding off the effects of a world slump. The table shows the indissoluble connection between exports,

This table shows clearly that unemployment varies as production, and as all real purchasing power is derived from production, it is very difficult, to see how it can be possible to insulate Ne\<- Zealand.—l am, etc., A. WARBURTON. Ngaruawahia, May 8.

SOCIAL SECURITY BCHEME (To the Editor) Sir, —The Prime Minister, at the sittings of the Parliamentary Commit- 1 tee inquiring into the social security scheme, has made it abundantly plain that the Government intends, at all costs, to push the measure through and place it on the Statute Book during the forthcoming session. It has also been announced that the scheme is to operate as from the opening of the next financial year—April 1, 1939. It would be interesting to know what attitude the National Party will take regarding the measure in the not improbable event of having a majority in the new Parliament. Will it leave the scheme to function or will it convoke a special session to revoke the measure ? The scheme as outlined and explained is so unjust and absurd that it will eventually have to be repealed or drastically amended, and in the interests of all concerned it would be better if the coup de grace could be administered before it, has a chance to operate. An authoritative statement from the Nationalist Party on the matter would be welcome before the election.—l am, etc., ANXIOUS. Matangi, May 8. WARD BYBTEM (To the Editor) Sir, —The municipal elections have once again disclosed a big weakness in our system, of electing representatives, and that is the unequal representation of the various portions of the borough. We have, as a result of the recent election, the important suburb of Hamilton East without a member on the council. Is not the ward system, which we adopt on a larger scale for our parliamentary election, and which, I understand, is in force in the Homeland, overdue? Surely it would be a much fairer way for each portion of the borough—i.e., Hamilton East, Claudelands, West, Whitiora and Frankton —to elect their own representatives on a population basis, which would mean, say, three mem - bers for Frankton and two for each of the other wards, than under the present system whereby it is possible for all Ihe council to be residents of one particular area. In a large city like Auckland the, position shows up worse than in Hamilton. How many of the Auckland voters knew anything about the majority of the plethora of candidates and the districts they represented? Very few, I am sure. Let each ward select its own members is, in my opinion, the ideal way of obtaining a truly representative local body.—l am, etc., RATEPAYER. Claudelands, May 12. SUPERANNUATION SCHEME (To the Editor) Sir,—A great deal of heat is being shown regarding the Government’3 social security scheme and the socalled “injustice” of making those who have been in rosy billets all their lives, and have been able to establish funds from which they may draw substantial benefits when they retire, contribute to the support of the aged and decrepit. All sorts of "piffle” is being urged as arguments against the Government’s proposal for a universal levy. Boiled down, it means that fortune’s favourites, having been in lucrative positions throughout their lives, have been able to set aside a portion of their surplus iryoine—a process which they have not felt and which lias entailed no hardship, and in addition Hie amounts so set aside have been liberally subsidised by State or industry), for their own adequate sustenance upon reaching a prescribed age or fulfilling a stated term of service. and therefore they have no obligations to those who have no regular revenue and had no opportunity to make provision for their latter years.

This is a humanitarian age, and we must take the course conferring the greatest good to the greatest number. Therefore, ihe Government should "nationalise” all the superannuation schemes 'public and private) operating in tlie Dominion, pool the amounts, and put everybody on the same footing as to payments. A large sum would thus be netted and it .is not improbable that it would be- found possible materially to increase the superannuation allowance from the meagre amount of £1 iOs per head. Such a proceeding would have many advantages. It would greatly simplify the position and it would deal a vital blow at class distinctions, as all superannuitants would receive the same amount. The scheme would be "universal” (which the favoured ones now so earnestly advocate), and it would inculcate a feeling of brotherhood iso much needed in the world to-day , for all would be equally treated by the State. Wily not? Libcrti, Egalite*, Fraternite!—l am. etc., TOILER. Tokanul, May 10.

FAOIAL ECZEMA (To the Editor) Sir,—Your correspondent Mr H. A. Lurman asserts that he stated in 1937; “Grassland farming has failed, and would continue to do so.” For the past, decade I have published that the New Zealand pastures are worthless, as ryegrass is notably known to. be subject to ergot, which will eventually lead to disaster. Many farms I have been on this pa'st month are ergotised. Shown handfuls of their own grasses, and asked if their food were given to them so diseased, would they eat it, the owners all replied: “Certainly we would not.” Then may I ask tlie veterinarians., agricultural director, and the farmers how they can expect their stock to enjoy sound health when being continually fed on these ergotised pastures? Regarding his remarks about the medical profession. I am pleased to say the leading lights support my view. —I am, etc., A. KENT. Remuera, May 4. SCHEME FOR SCOTLAND (To the Editor) Sir, —Mr Young evades the issue. “Social Credit” is "expanding inflation.” I refer to the proposal to pay a just price discount as put forward in the Scheme for Scotland. Whether the discount paid was as high as 25 per cent, or as low as 5 per cent., the scheme would break down in a few weeks. Douglas states: "Payment for goods would he made in the ordinary way, either by cheque or currency. The purchaser nmjld. however, lodge, his receipted aVount for goods bought with his baiV in the same way that lie now* pays in cheques, and :» discount percentage' of the amount of such account would he re-credited to the consumer’s banking account.” Let us assume that Mr Young and Mr Hunter are purchasing goods from each other every week, to the value of £l. The scheme is brought into being, and the discount percentage to he paid is 25. which Major Douglas suggests as suitable for initial purposes. At the end of the first week the two pay each other by cheque, and lodge their receipted accounts with their respective banks. They each receive a discount of 25 per cent., which brings both their accounts to 255. The following week they spend 25s with each other; the procedure is repeated, and a further discount is added, which brings their credit at the bank to 31s 3d.

How long could the process continue? In a few weeks’ time money would be worthless. Traders would be forced to adopt other means of exchange, as they did in Germany during the inflationary period which followed the war. This is the Douglas method of closing a “gap” which does not exist.—l am, etc., • T. HINDLE. Hamilton, May 4. OLD-TIME TRIPS TO RAGLAN (To the Editor) Sir,—There Is no doubt that in the past, before the roads were metalled, it was a bit of an adventure to take a trip to Raglan. Still it was not such a bad trip, providing the weather was fine. The grade, on the Raglan side especially, was one in five, and passengers did not object to walk, as long as they were fit, on that, old mountain road now used as a stock route. On top was a homestead of one of the Johnstone brothers, which considerably lessened the lonesoineness; an i, also, there was a very fine view of the j Waikato. It spread out as a plain, j making an interesting and extensive j view, with its homesteads and the | many trees scattered about. Such a | view you do not get on the new deviation. There the view is Raglani wards. You see the long valleys ! stretching westward, with Mount Karioi towering up in the background —a mighty corner buttress on the Tasman coast, as a scientist described it. The bush on the old mountain road was interesting, and if you struck the right time you would see the blazing blossoms of the rata tree. Of course at the start "L.S.” had uphill work to make things pay. His family were left in Whatawhata until he could get a house ready for them in Raglan, and a stable for his horses. Over 30 years ago he got one of Cobb and Co. s coaches. They were hung on stout leather springs to steel attachments, and were almost as comfortable as a motor car. He could take settlers’ dressed pigs on the tailboard, up to 2001 - weight, to the Frankton factory, and return them as bacon and hams. The writer never remembers the harness of the horses giving trouble, or any of the horses j jibbing and refusing to go. Things I went merrily after the mountain was I crossed, along the several miles of ! road to tlie next stopping-place. The j driver was fond of a joke, and after i going over a particularly rough bit of ! road at a good speed lie would turn ! round, with a smile, and ask: "Are you jail there?” He would then count, i "Oh, yes; you’re all right!” | Soon, with whip cracking, we clat- ! tered up to tlie half-way house— a 1 picturesque old-time homestead—to Ibe greeted by the shrill cries of peacocks, in their gorgeous plumage. Passengers did full justice to an appetising lunch served by the postmistress, one of the drivers numerous relations, for tlie moderate sum of Is od. You had a clear hour there, and while waiting you could ramble about and pick blackberries on the river hank. "L.S.” finally, when the roads were being graded and metalled, sold out and became the proprietor of the Drury livery stables. Now he is enjoying a well-earned retirement. —I am, etc., FARMER. Raglan, May 9.

total production and unemplo ’rnent. Year Total Productton Unemployed 1031 £97,600,000 54,590 1932 £83,600,000 73,650 1933 £83,800,000 79.435 1934 £98,800,000 64,761 1935 £97,000,000 60,344 1936 £114,2<>n, 000 49,41 9 1937 £ 1 36,O#u,000 36,450