WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 270, 13 November 1937, Page 8

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Before the present Government came into office we had unmistakably "turned the corner," export values were on the up grade, the public revenues were buoyant and the Budget was more than l>alanced. When Labour got in the tide, already coming in, became stronger and stronger, and is still in full flood. Labour has a funny notion it brought the tide in with it, and a still funnier notion that it can prevent it running out. If the moon tries any funny business—well, it will be "controlled"; men of the calibre of Messrs. Savage and Nash will not be turned from "their job" by any interference on the part of our satellite. From statements made in Parliament it is very apparent what will "be the Labour plan for staving off the next depression. Mr. Fraser told us that, in such an event, the whole resources of the country would be called upon, and Mr. Xash said very much the same. Instead of reducing wages in an emergency, they will, so they imagine, keep them up by drawing on the wealth or incomes of the rich. The idea is as old as the hills and as futile as the plan of lifting oneself by the boot straps. In times of depression all, or practically all, of us aTe in the coup together. In any case, the poor are the many, the rich the few, and nothing much can be done by a dividing-iip process. Businesses, subject to keen competition, are usually fighting for their lives, and when a depression arrives are often harder pressed than is a large section of the salaried class. Any attempt to keep up wages to the present high (nominal) standard will inevitably result in bankruptcies, and wholesale unemployment. The problem for Labour will then be to find sustenance for a growing army of out-of-works. AOCOrjJJTANT.