POINTS FROM ELECTION LETTERS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26513, 30 August 1951, Page 5

POINTS FROM ELECTION LETTERS

“Democracy”: “A far greater menace to-day than Communism is the fear that is being spread about it. At one time heckling was looked upon at election time as a little bit of fun, and the politician, irrespective of what party he stood for, was looked upon as worthy of his salt if he could give a worthy retort. Now when this happens the atmosphere is created that something sinister is afoot; and they spread the fear and in consequence make real the very thing they wish to condemn. Only when we cast out fear and live in friendliness and co-opera-tion will we vitalise our own democracy.”

“Another Ratepayer”: “Would Miss Howard and Messrs Macfarlane and Mathison please enlighten us on ■ the following question—all Labour candidates are making a big issue of the ‘increased cost of living.’ Can they tell us why since a Labour City Council and Tramway Board have been in control, we have had substantially increased rates and fares?”

Nora Anderson: "Mr Bryce strikes rather a childish note. Because we do expect further trouble from the Communists is exactly why we support a government strong enough again to deal with trouble-makers in the right way ... No one has called Mr Nash a Communist, but he ,is, from the Communist point of view, delightfully weak, and New Zealand needs strength.” “No Japanese”: “Mr Watts is reported as saying there are no Japanese goods being imported to New Zealand except steel and unmade goods. Yesterday a member of my family bought a pair of men’s shoe laces at our local store with a wrapping on marked made in Japan.”

“Saturday . Will Say” writes: “ ‘Mother of Four’ says Mr Nash has no need to consult any experts, as he is recognised as the ablest Minister of Finance in the world. -Might I ask by whom and on what authority? Who raised taxation to the awful height that it is to-day and did not reduce it? Who promised to remove the sales tax and then increased it? Who pumped millions of paper money into circulation thereby causing inflation? Who applied import control, causing a shortage of goods, etc., and then had to impose rationing because of the shortage? Who authorised the printing and posting of thousands of pounds worth of Labour Party pamphlets, etc., for the last election out of taxpayers' money, surely not the best finance minister in the 'world.”

“J.M.”: “Your Reefton correspondent’s soldier friends are upholding the law in Korea, with their lives at stake. It is now their democratic privilege. as it is ours, freely to decide whether the major issue on the home front is to uphold the law, and then to do their duty with us.” Curious”: “Would someone please tell me why the Labour Party is running away from the election issues? Why will Mr Nash not discuss the strike? Before the election he was so full of ideas that he went up and down the country giving his views on the subject. Now he refuses to say where he stands. Why?" “Thoughtful”: "If Labour is returned to power the cost of living will skyrocket again, to say nothing of the black market, which will again be rampant. The shipowners will refuse to come to New Zealand wharves under a Labour Government because of the slow turn-round of ships.” A. Russell Brunt: "We are thankful for our freedom of speech (within the law) here- In New Zealand, are we not? I will cast my vote in the direction of the brother of Rewi Alley, who has worked among China’s oppressed millions, towards the desired emancipation of mankind.”

■*‘l Wonder’’ expresses disgust at “the exhibition put on at Brighton on Monday evening, when Mr.D. W. Russell was holding a meeting on behalf of the National Party.’’ The correspondent refers to the “hysterical women screaming.’’ and asks: “How are the leaders of a class such as that going to govern a country when they are unable to govern themselves?’’