THE COMPENSATING PRICE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22389, 30 April 1938, Page 20

THE COMPENSATING PRICE

TO THB CDITOa Of THB PRESS. Sir,—Mr Adam Hamilton's acceptance of the compensating price plan as a party policy plank will be joyfully acclaimed by the backbone—or is it really, as often stated, the wishbone?—of the country. Personally, as one of the vertebrae, it has swung me—a farmer—from Labour right into his camp, and with one reservation, I intend to vote now for the party he represents. I note in a previous speech that to implement this compensating price plan he will reduce costs, i.e., reduce wages and/or pay a subsidy out of taxation; i.e., charge the farmer's deficiency in prices to the other fellow. As I am pretty near the rocks, both are good, sound economics as far as I am concerned. The only difficulty I have is, as a firm believer in the social credit philosophy, that "that which is socially unjust is economically unsound"—the foundation on which social credit stands or falls. I find that even if I might—with the assistance of this flexible backbone or whatever it is—dispense with the economically unsound part—as a voice from the jungle within me prompts me to do —I make the reservation whether I can. and with satisfaction to the battered and attenuated remnants of a conscience, climb out of the hole by pushing the other chap in? You have access to my credentials. Can any of your readers help?— Yours, etc., CRITICUS. April 29, 1938.