PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20820, 2 June 1939, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose letters are welcome, but for whose

views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to write in ink. It is essential that anonymous writers enclose their proper names as & guarantee of good fair. Unless this rule is compiled with, their letters will not appear.

SUNSHINE LEAGUE WORK

(To the Editor) Sir,—l notice in Mr Fow’s address to the Rotary Club, on hehaJf of the Sunshine League, three names. Others played a very active part in the league, namely, the late Mr (Henry and Mrs Scott, and it was mainly through their efforts that the Sunshine League was placed in a sound position. Mr Henry was a constant visitor to thp hospital and Mrs Scott was convener of the ladies’ committee and in six years under her supervision hundred* of garments were made for the hospital wit.i the aid of a very energetic committee of ladies. Mrs Scott also played a great part in aiding the league's financial position and in visiting the hospital, etc. i could mention others who have also done a great deal to help the Sunshine activities. 1 understand Mrs Scott resigned lu years ago and Mrs Ousley was then appointed convener of the ladies’ committee.—i am, etc., LEST WE FORGET. Hamiilon, May 31.

COMPENSATED PRICEB

(To the Editor) Sir.—The naivette of Mr Kenah’s claim to refusing to he drawn in regard to National Party policy loses none of its piquancy w*hen it is remembered that Mr Kenah has already very insistently disclaimed understanding Douglas Credit. No doubt Mr Young would agree with him on that point, yet Mr Kenah insists that compensated prices are Douglas Credit. Adam must have told him so? Did Adam also tell hint (who told Adam?) “that farmers were prepared to accept London prices for their products,” and because It would be "compensated prices." forgot to irnisli and add, "providing uis costs were on a similar basis?" Obviously it would never have done. Neither would It have done to have told Mr Kenah and his friends that however acquiescent the present Government was it was not in power when the “tariff wall" which raised all costs and capitalisation in New Zealand, was built, and when the National Party's leader (under another name), the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, and the onetime Prime Minister, Mr Gordon Coates, twitted the “Farmers’ Union deputations” with impotency, when they submitted their protests. Very obviously, Mr Kenah cannot disclose the National Party’s policy, because somebody else would be able to explain that that “Blah-blah” about reducing costs, etc., would merely mean wiping out equities, and because farmers' costs cannot he passed on. farmers w'oula pay, and then pay again. Keep the primary producers devided. Save the party, never mind the farmer 1 Does Mr Kenah know what constitutes economic soundness? What has fundamental economies got to do with the number of shillings, or whatever else you choose to call them, used to do our business with? Where is the ultimate effective difference In the present and past Goveramenta' differently named methods of borrowing, building protective tariffs and costs, creating slump and boom or boom and slump (confidence or lack of Investors’ confidence), social security or unemployment relief, turning that giddy corner, etc.?—l am, etc., MONEY OR MAN? Hamilton, June 1.

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

(To the Editor) Sir, —In view of the world situation, it is about time Mr Hamilton discarded his monotonous professional opposition and attempted to assist a democratically elected Government to advance New Zealand. In these days of quick destructive aircraft, it must be evident to everyone, including Mr Hamilton, that for New Zealand selfcontainment is absolutely necessary. What have Mr Hamilton and hi 6 party done to assist in that direction? When the Labour Government’s proposal to establish ironworks at onekaka was before the House. Mr Hamilton and his party opposed it to the uttermost; yet the former is running round the country talking defence. Assuming adequate supplies of ore. the establishment of Ironworks in New Zealand would prove one of the strongest Jinks in our chain of defences, and in peace time a valuable adjunct to the wealth-producing concerns of the country. Mr Hamilton is moaning about farm labourers’ conditions; what were they when his party held the reins of office? Says Mr Hamilton, there are no restrictions on farm labourers' hours. No, and if there were, Mr Hamilton would be the first to complain, because he hates restrictions when It comes to labour. Anyhow, was not the farm labourers’ agreement drawn up by a committee representative of the Farmers' Union and farm labourers? Why should he seek to create discontent by comparisons? According to Mr Hamilton, nothing that the Labour Government does is right—a most childish and ridiculous altitude. He advocates an increase of tiie working hours when practically the whole of the world is moving in the opposite direction. How In the name of commonsense are we going to effect an economic adjustment by lengthening working hours when labour-saving machinery is adding every day to the unemployed millions? If Mr Hamilton was one of a gang of 40 men working, say, ,s hours a week, ami was taxed to keep other unfortunates who could not obtain work, what would he rather do, work extra hours to keep the other 40 doing nothing or give them part of his gang's time and let them do a bit of work lor themselves? Regarding the defence problems, and much as 1 detest war, if New Zealand were Invaded to-morrow, i would In my own way do my best to defend our democracy. It Is different now from the olden days when men who had nothing went away to fight for others who had everything and fattened at the same time on the war profits. I think you will find that if England becomes involved in another war which must of necessity involve New Zealund. and she finds it necessary to conscript human life, she will make war quite an unattractive proposition to a good many people.

Let Mr Hamilton cease his electioneering. The election is over. He asked for a clear-cut contest. Labour versu*