THE COST OF ULTIMATE SOCIALISM

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24740, 4 December 1945, Page 2

THE COST OF ULTIMATE SOCIALISM

Sir, —While the socialistic theories sound so attractive on paper they haven't worked out so after 10 years’ trial, and that is the acid test. The average housewife doesn’t understand inflation and indirect taxation; she only knows that although her household has high wages they “go nowhere, and it ig a constant struggle to make ends meet. We are constantly told that Mr Nash is the best Finance Minister New Zealand has ever had, and yet to pay for “Whig’s” planned economy we work over six weeks for wage tax, another four months for indirect taxation, more for inflation and income tax; so that if you work .only half the year for the Government you are indeed fortunate. If wicked Tories or private enterprise or capitalists were responsible for this exploitation we workers could understand things, but it is the very men we ourselves pay to represent us.’ We are wondering why.—Yours, etc., WORKER’S WIFE. December 1, 1945. Sir, —W. Smith’s contribution reminds me of the squatter who proudly informed a visitor to his extensive estate that when he emigrated he wasn’t worth a fiver—-but now, he owed £20,000! Big money hypnotises the worker. On a fiver a week he saves five bob; let his Socialist Government help him to £2O a week with the cost of living rising to £l9 15s (with the same saving of ss), and .he will swell with inexpressible gratitude for such magnificent remuneration. I am prepared to give some credit for progress, but excessive regimentation, nosey-Parker-ism, crushing taxation, spoils for the victors in administrative jobs, red tape, shocking cases of waste, debatable irregularities, means tests, broken promises, etc., are the other side of the story. Issue finance to equate with potential production and then—good-bye to all the “isms” forever.—Yours, etc December 2, 1945.