HYBRID LEGISLATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 149, 24 June 1908, Page 8

HYBRID LEGISLATION.

(To the Editor.. Sir, —We want commonsense from one legislators, not platform punching. Soeialisni can never be other than an academical dream until all nations unify, and abolish money. The present method, of exchange is the rock upon which the ays' teni splits, and as no practical substitute has ever been evolved, the creed never exceeds generalities. But Government which, tries to graft some of the measures with present day -economics creates confusion, as burning the candle at both ends means double expense, hence the increased cost of living. I forget what the State Coal Department has cost the taxpayers, something in hundreds of thousands, but beyond a •few people in the South getting cheapen coal, the majority of the population has not benefited, and is not likely to;; all the same, we pay for it through tha mouth. The State Fire Insuranceis ___• other farce. Companies do not wast*, profits on extravagant : dividends, hut yearly add to reserve fagainst the ineyit-. able "rainy day." All the* - Government is doing is to stop the addition to reserves, thereby reducing the public secur* ity. Fortunately, the offices are loyal to the country or they could wreck the whole position in 24 hours, as recently, happened in one Am.rican State. .Pacts are that the profits are very mild,'and if at any time excessive they can easily be checked by a sliding scale' of income tax. The hybrid measures justify, the criticisms of older countries, who rightly say; we use a board when a straw is sufficient to stop the leak in our legislation, consequently tbe cost of living is growing •beyond our weight, and if there is any more nonsense of the kind something •will break.—Lata, etc., - -THE LAST STRAW.