POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 269, 13 November 1928, Page 10

POINTED PARAGRAPHS.

FROM A POLITICIAN'S PEN.

REVELATIONS OF «HAMBAED.»

(By DIOGENES:)

Some of the applications-' for advances to workers are two years old, and nothing done. In the meantime, interest has to be paid on the hind, and in some cases the applicants have been compelled to let/it go and lose their deposit.

' The/ Government claims credit for inaugurating the Industrial Conference'. As a' matter of fact the idea came from the Opposition, who were the first to suggest it. The Government granted it under pressure. "Hansard," No. 3, page 222.

During the seven years ended 1927, the total taxation was increased by Reformers from £16,251,769 to £17,437,827, and the Government states publicly that taxation has been reduced. The man with the big family has his taxation.increased, and the man with the big income has his made le.-s. The taxation on the poor has beeu. increased.

The total exports from 1921 to 1927 amounted to £335,169,153, the imports for the same period were £316,990,010, leaving a credit balance of £18,179,137. For the same period the interest bill was £43,184,544, which makes a debit balance of £25,015,407 for the period. The Ministers quote the former figures, but leave out the bill for interest.

Speaking at Danncvirke the Prime Minister said "the Government had legislated for the people as a whole, without consideration of class interest." Later the same day he said that he would never agree to the farmer paying both land and income tax." If he has legislated without considering class interests, why is it that he makes the man in the town pay both land and income tax, and the farmer land tax only?

The Government has admittedly no policy regarding land settlement, none hi connection with the development cf secondary industries. It provides no opportunities for the future, having no vision, and is barren of ideas or constructed thought. It is time, in the interests of the country, that the Government be replaced. The above conclusions are arrived at by following speeches of Ministers of the Crown.

The Government advocates a policy of one-man farms, and at the same time buys big estates for settlement, which requires £5000 to £6000 for land alone, without buildings and stock. The Minister of Lands condemns his own policy in these words. "Hansard," No. 3, page 263):—"1 say from this side of the House thatiunder present economic conditions the chance of successful settlement on the.Jand available, or on land that is likeryfean be purchased, is very small." No wonder the "Herald" suggested he make' way for a man of greater faith and vision!

A number of soldiers were placed on the land by the Government at a high price pel , acre. Finding it impossible to make a living and pay interest, spme abandoned their holdings. After they had gone, the Government reduced the valua r tion, and sold the land again. Was this fair to the soldiers? . The Minister of Lands, backed up by the Minister of Agriculture, says, "It is no use putting poor men on poor land," yet poor men were put on.poor land with most disastrous results.

The Minister of Railways said thelosb on railway* account this year £291,453, but he took from the Consolidated Fund £489,568, and credited it to the railways as earned money. Tl» actual loss, therefore, was £871,020. This is an example of unsound finance. The amount spent on capital account for immigration is £3,117,409, to bring in people to compete with those already seeking work. These people are described as assets, yet many of them find their way to the Charitable Aid Boards.

The Government said it was no use putting men on land until it had bee.i properly roaded, yet the expensive Te Wera estate was offered for settlemeat at big figures, without any roads, and there were no takers.

"Mr. Coates said at Pukekohe that Mr. John Massey was-the. finest colt that ever stepped out ori the platform. Nobody in Papakura is raising any argument about the quality of the colt, but we do say that he is in a rotten stable." So said Mr. J. Rea, in seconding a motion of thanks and confidence in Mr. Melsop at Papakura on Monday night." The Minister of Lands admitted in the House that the Department , had foolishly settled men on the land on the basie of 2/6 a lb for butterfat and 1/ a lb for cheese. His only justification for this was that it was easy to be wise after the event.

The Government in official documents eays they cannot reduce taxation until there is an increase in production. How can this come about if there are no lands available, according to the Minister of Lands? Fourpence a Week. The Prime Minister and Reform carfdidates are making an appeal to the working man to "look to the future," in these words: "Your family and your home are everything to you. Their future is your chief concern. Do not risk their welfare by your vote." The working man risked the welfare of his "family in the past, as the following wages paid on public works will prove. Sefc "Hansard," No. 1, 1928, page 68. One man received £6 1/7 for a month. He paid rail and steamer fare, £1 19/11; the cookhouse, £3 18T/6. His balance for the family was 3/2. Another got I£s 0/4; deductions, £5. His balance was 4d. Another £5 15/8; deductions, rail and steamer, £1 19/11; cookhouse, £3 15/8. His balance was Id. Another got £4 2/4; deductions', £4 2/. Balance 4d. These are only a few examples. Working men will think of the past — not look into the future. Mr. Coates said this was not a wage, but a sustenance.

Promise and Performance. The promises of the Government may be compared with what follows: Soup kitchens, doss houses, clothes.and food provided for the necessitous, Hospital and Charitable Aid Board help, highest in the history of the country. Thousands of people abandoned the land, and a record quantity of land gone out of occupation. Increased rates of interest by Advances to Settlers Department. Remissions of taxation to wealthy Government supporters. This money would have relieved unemployment if ■ properly spent. Two sets of taxes for the cities, and one for the - country. Record loss on railway administration. Hydro-electric enterprises costing millions more than the estimates. Bad and undigested legislation , which will have to s be amended or revoked. . These are facts found in "Hansard," and uncontradicted. The electors may judge the Government from them.