MORE ABOUT POLITICS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22445, 5 July 1938, Page 16

MORE ABOUT POLITICS

to the editor or the press. Sir, —In “The Press” this morning “Looker On” lets his zeal outrun his discretion when he says that “Britishers will not take kindly to their loss of freedom, and being-regimented corrtrolled, inspected and forced to link up with unions with which they have no sympathy.” That is real highbrow British stuff; but unfortunately the facts spoil the jingle of the tune. However distasteful the present form of government may be to “Looker On” and his friends in New Zealand, he would have the same things to complain of in Merrie England if he decides to up hooks and take his money there. He would learn much more of the attentions of the tax-collector. He would not be allowed to grow potatoes, or hops, or catch fish without a permit. He would be fined if he sold milk to consumers below the price fixed for human consumption, though he could sell it much cheaper if it goes into making umbrella handles..

etc. He may not have to join a union to get work and he may not be forced to do work with which he has no sympathy and of which the product is potentially harmful to his fellow beings, but the alternative Is to starve or semi-starve on charity. If he is in the fortunate class which has anything left after the depredations of the taxcollector he will be invited by a dummy corporation backed by the Bank of England credit monopoly, to mortgage his property to build underground bomb-proof shelters so that he can escape the barbarities of modern warfare, which are made financially possible by the machinations of other corporations dummying for the credit monopoly. If he belongs to a thicklypopulated or a "special” area he will be provided with a gas mask and will be drilled, controlled, and inspected Meanwhile', to come nearer home, I would remind him that inroads on our so-called British freedom were made by a previous government when .it regimented the transport, motion picture and meat-freezing industries. The march to socialism commenced then. I would incline to agree that there is cause for a great deal of dissatisfaction under all forms of government, but I would suggest that the most fruitful cause is the idea that there is not enough to go round (that the rich are rich because the poor are poor) and that therefore it is necessary to organise in groups until a large enough group can dictate to, or as they say. govern the minority. The catch-in it is that the methods of government tend continually to weaken the security of the individuals in the larger group so that they gravitate to the other and the pendulum swings. Taxation is like the man with the. scythe. I would suggest that not only’"Looker On.” who belies his name, but also the “die-hards” on either side, should ask themselves first what is it that they individually want from society and then whether they are prepared to concede the same conditions to their fellows. If they could decide those two points they have established the grounds of a common' objective and abolished the need of party strife. Frorr the public platform in Leeston a year ago the Hon. Adam Hamilton agreed with a formula that I suggested and he agreed that every other reasonable person would agree with it. The recent Labour Conference rejected the same formula. Surely it would seem that the people are being cheated by the party system because the leaders are more concerned with their vested interests in the party.—Yours, etc.. T W. B. BRAY June 30, 1938.

TO THE EDITOR OF, THE PRESS. Sir, I was thinking the other events how little one is commended by railing against the Government and the established and what a short distance one small voice in the wilderness will carry and, moreover, how little one vote will count at the next General Election. Again, such is the apathy of the general public either to approve oxotherwise. But the press, alive to the political fiasco, is roundly condemned by the Labour Party, which rebuts being accused of not knowing. But this party ignoi'ing advice tendered in the best of spirit, continues on its perilous course. Principles employed by the Government would never be employed in sound business—yet what does it care for principles? If the unpalatable conduct of the Government lias not already at least touched the consciences of the instigators, and I believe it has, it will continue to touch the pockets of our citizens and bring the Slate into a position of extreme jeopardy. What of our present prosperity? The Government claims it is its sound administration, but merely to . suggest this prosperity would have come anyway and that it has actually been retarded by the Govenimenfs restrictive legislation, would be to bring down the furies of hell. What of the alleged reduced unemployment? What is more eloquent than woi'ds is that the tax has not been lifted and apjiears to be a pennanent imposition. Again, what of the various motor taxes remaining static, levied not for maintenance purposes but for revenue. We are held uf> on bad loads when they should be good ones. But the Government has yet another role as a highwayman, its technique is only becoming more intriguing and what a wonderful web which is being woven. What more are the superannuation proposals than another general tax levied without concern where it falls and regardless of circumstances, and again but another excuse under the guise of profound philanthropy. How can a Govem-

ment with no heart, a Government invading every cranny of private enterprise, be said now to be partial to philanthropy? The whole thing is false pretences and how flagrantly it is done. The aged and the infirm should be the first care of the Stale in ■ any event. Charitable institutions should be done away with without need of yet another tax.

If anything can be anticipated with certainty, as night always follows morning, it is a very reduced party which will figure in the election returns. The superannuation proposals will do it. Fancy a bob in the pound on all earnings. The greater the earnings the greater the tax. For the same money which this iniquitous piece of legislation proposes, one can be well covered by a life cover and be manv limes better off, with the added advantage of payment for death in the' interim, which is more than the State can or will do.

Then there is the conundrum of what is to be done with those already vv: *-h their own superannuation schemes. Again what a nice kettle of fisn regarding the medical profession and the medical services proposed by the Governmfent. A scheme proposed by a Government which will not even take the profession into its confidence The writing is on the wall that the profession will refuse to co-operate. New Zealand has not the resources ana ability of Great Bi’itain to carry out such a social service. But at the commencement the Government stepped off on the wrong foot. There is a limit to the means of the carrying out of the ideal—the means themselves. /

With regard to public works, let us nave duplicate even triplicate railway

'' - lines half a dozen times around tito 1 country if it will add to its prosperity commensurate with the money ponded. But what is the use of 'S&nie* _ thing which has all the earmarks of • white elephant? The present Govern* ment is a white elephant. Let us'9f# that its raucous cries at the next deg tion are supplemented by a svrt<* -wan song.—Yours, etc.. WTNSTONIUS. July 4, 1938.