GENERAL ELECTION

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25013, 23 October 1946, Page 2

GENERAL ELECTION

Sir,—Your report on Mr Semple’s speech at Miramar in “The Press” of Friday records Mr Semple as saying that the Government under Labour control would help private enterprise to serve the people. Yet a short time ago he (and some of his colleagues) were reported to have stated that the election was to be fought, the main plank being “ultimate socialism.” Now, Mr Semple says that the enemies of the Labour Government are hoisting a "bogyman.” What are we electors to think? I am sure it is not the enemies of Labour who are doing the hoisting. —Yours, etc., PUZZLED. October 22, 1946.

Sir—The claims made by some politicians that the present Government has banished poverty will not bear any investigation. The various coal and blanket funds and the aid given by various churches, missions, and societies are just as much required as they ever were. The claim that New'Zealand has the highest living standard in the world is also a myth. The standard in Australia on the whole is higher and cost of living in most States is much lower. North America probably has the highest world living standard. New Zealand is a fine little country, but it is no use living in a fool’s paradise.—Yours, etc., _ , ONLOOKER. October 20, 1946.

Sir, —With reference to the election talks from Stations YA on Friday last, October 18, may I, as a supporter of the National Party, stiggest to the Leader of the Opposition that a better showing be made on behalf of the party at any subsequent broadcast. Mr Doidge’s speech was not calculated to impress any thinking voter of either sex or any age, and not to be compared with the address of the other party which followed.—Yours, etc., SUMNER NATIONAL. October 20, 1946.

Sir, —“Widow” may believe it or not, but it was passible before 1938 to live happily and comfortably and as free as human beings may be from the fear of want, even if widowed and with young children to support. In those days “work” was God’s last, best gift to man—not accounted a curse. When we wanted something we set to work to earn the means to provide it, not by filling in a few forms. We nursed our sick, cared for our own aged and infcrm (it was accounted a disgrace to put a relative in an institution), and were happy. But surely, even “Widow” has heard of the old age pension. Believe me, the 5s a week was almost as great a help as the present “age benefit.” But some folk think the real history of New Zealand began with the advent of our present Government. —Yours, PLAIN JANE. October 21, 1946.