GENERAL ELECTION

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25970, 25 November 1949, Page 9

GENERAL ELECTION

Sir, —Every elector should demand prom National candidates an answer, “yes" or “no," to the question whether they intend to hand over control of banking to private enterprise again. This is the most important question, and about the only one that makes two hoots of difference between the two parties. Each candidate is keeping his tongue tucked into his cheek until after November 30, when the cat will pop out with a flourish. Only thus can “they” stop inflation. Result: deflation, slump. Inflation is common to ali party-governed countries to-day. When the inflation ball stops rolling ahead, it inevitably rolls back and overwhelms the starters. —Yours, etc., C. S. BROOKER. Hamner, November 24, 1949.

Sir, —Hiram Hunter keeps on making assertions contrary to fact and when challenged, slippery as an eel, he wriggles away to some other vague matter. He talKs of socialist jnuddling and probably bases his opinion on the muddling he himself did when he advocated tnat particular cult, of which I can show him proof if he is prepared to meet me at the Trades Hall. He criticised coal production by the State, but did not say that the State, to conserve the limited coal resources in the country, took over many abandoned mines from which private enterprise had picked the best coal and could make no further profits. Mossbank in Southland is one of many. From it the State showed a profit of 15s a ton. At Blackball the State was able to undersell other mines in the district by 6s 6d a ton. — Yours, etc., E. PARLANE. November 24. 1949.

Sir, —l thank Mr Buttle for his kindly and interesting reply to my letter of November 19. It is sometimes said, and it is undoubtedly true, ‘ that if a sufficient number of people want a particular thing, and want it sincerely enough, that particular thing will be forthcoming. Obviously the desire woulc have to be a conscious snd a vigorous one. not something lying vaguely at the back of the mindAn election campaign affords such an excellent opportunity for converting something dormant into something alive; and I venture the opinion that if, even at this late stage, one side adopted this suggestion and made It quite clear that, if elected, the great question of the maintenance of peace, so much desired by all, would always be kept in mind and have first preference over everything else, that side would gain a great advantage over the opponent that neglected it.—Yours, etc.. GEORGE INGRAM. November 24, 1949.

Sir.—So now Mr Fraser is suggesting that the National Party’s plan will create a depression. What twaddle! This remark and other speeches of his caused me to reflect that never during election campaigns has so much been said about so little by one man—especially a Prime Minister. The facts are that the National Party has a worthwhil?. workmanlike policy and, if it is successful in the election, no one need fear. To the unintelligent it is obvious and logical that the National Party will do everything possible to improve the lot of the entire country. This is obviously the reason a change is necessary and desirable. On the othe) hand, the Labour Gov ernment has become rusty, having no policy and no future, except, perhaps, the theory of ultimate socialism: but as electors treasure freedom, that has been conveniently and temporarily dropped.—Yours, etc.. E. F. BROWNE. November 23. 1949

Sir.—Once again the National Party is attempting to shelter under the cloak of Libera’ism. Its speakers use the name of Richard Seddon and claim that they are the modern champions of Liberalism. The Tories of Seddon’s days were busy labelling him and his party. “The Seven Devils of Socialism,” just as the present-day Tories are using similar bogies agains l the most humane government this country has ever known. Their slogan is “Change the Government.” The National Partv has changed its name pach tim<* it has become unpopular, so I would venture to say that a change of name is about all it will get out of this election. Some of the candidates who stood under their banner in 1946 have since resigned from their party. The writing is on the wall.—Yours. etC " P. J. KELLY. November 24. 1949.

Sir.—The National Party's advertisement promising more houses and more building timber through the opening of fresh forest areas causes me to wonder where the labour necessary for greater building activity will come from Mv conclusion is that Mr Holland intends to create a pool of unemployed derived from industries adversely effected by the new import policy and the intention to cut a greater number of trees is only a repetition of th a disastrous policies of previous Torv governments, which the labour Government is at the moment trying to remedy by its forestry policy. In a nutshell, it appears that the National Party is advocating the debilitation of our national natural resources at a time of boom, when such a process will snowball and leave us nothing to lean upon when the inevitable recession arrives.—Yours, November 24, 1949.

Sir —“Dave” is not sure of my reasoning. I trust I can make him so. As man climbs the evolutionary path he eventually reaches a state of consciousness which brings mental peace. With this the desire for material possessions, fame and so-called honours leaves him. He naturally wishes to enlighten his brother men. Those who are advanced in thought understand and stop striving. Those who ar e not erv “crucify him.” I have trembled for the masses since a member of the National Party publicly announced that her interest in the immigrants was due to the fact that they would protect us in the event of war. Tnis exploitation of the weak, this irreligious charity. can never lead to peace I knew that the Labour movement has lost its original splendour, but the advanced thinkers can reanimate it if they will co-operate.— Yours, etc.. M Q DAVIES Novemoer 24, 1949.

Sir, —Your correspondent “A Real Farmer” states that I know nothins about, farming. In reply. I can say that for over 40 years I have farmed land from poor tussock country to rich, flat land, and therefore feel welloval’fied to give an opinion on the subject under discussion. Past experience has taught me that it is economicallv unsound to spend money on top-dressing poor hill country. The National Party’s intention of spending millions and millions of pounds of the taxpayers’ money on dumping lime and super in the backblocks is, to borrow a now famous phrase, applied lunaey.-Yours, etc.. FARMER. November 23, 1949.