INCREASED PRICES

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27226, 18 December 1953, Page 13

INCREASED PRICES

Sir,—l congratulate the pensioners on their bonus and extra pay. What pf the family benefit? Has Mr Holland forgotten the mothers with children. With the rise in prices of almost everything, the 10s is going to disappear completely. Perhaps Mr Holland could tell us where we can buy anything for children to the value of 10s—certainly not regulation school socks for boys.— Yours, etc., MOTHER. December 17, 1953.

Sir,—ln your excellent leading article, “Wages and Prices” (December 10), you mentioned that the rising prices ‘‘will of course press heavily on those with fixed small incomes; but that was not a matter within the jurisdiction of the Court.” This is the first time that I have seen any reference to the difficulties and hardships of this neglected group, and I felt grateful for it. They are a small proportion of the population (could anyone give me any information about just how small?), but it is not right that they should be completely ignored.— Yours, etc., ONE OF THEM. December 17, 1953.

Sir, —“Wide Awake” has put the cart before the horse. He is worried about what the capitalist would do without Mr Worker. The fact is. what would the worker do without the capitalist? The capitalist has the brain and initiative to plan and finance the work which gives Mr Worker the means to keep himself and family in comfort. It takes grit to make a capitalist. Of course if “Wide Awake” would like everything State-owned, then that would be a different matter, because eventually State ownership would lead to dictatorship, and so, if “Wide Awake” wants his brain paralysed, heaven help him, for he would not have the chance to help himself.— Yours, etc., A WORKER. December 17, 1953.

Sir,—We have been waiting patiently to see what the Government is going to do to help those people, like myself, on low stationary incomes. Through our lives we tried to help ourselves at great sacrifice, and now we are penalised and getting nothing to help to pay for the increased prices that are thrust upon us. With coal, gas, radio, food, and other things, we are certainly on the bread line. Hoping something will soon be done.— Yours, etc., , HARD HIT. December 17, 1953.

Sir,—A political secret! The Prime Minister has, after three years of unprecedented study, produced the jetpropelled pound note. In the coming year it is his intention to crack the pound barrier with his invention. Trials to date suggest that he will succeed. —Yours, etc., RUFUS. December 17, 1953.

Sir,—l think that it is very unfair that all the other beneficiaries get an increase and not the family allowance. With the cost of shoes and other clothing that is likely to go up in price, the family allowance will not go far. I think the Government should be fair and increase the family allowance. Those with a big family find it hard to keep them in clothes. The amount the Government has given us will not go far.—Yours, etc.. ONE WHO KNOWS. December 17, 1953.

Sir,—Your correspondent, Graham Thomas, is either very young or very naive. He says “the Labour party lost much popular support here with wartime measures.” The war ended in 1945 and many of the so-called war measures were still in force in 1949. Judging by the notorious supply regulations of 1947, it was intended to make them a permanent feature pf our economy. From a Socialist point of view this was quite understandable, as Socialism, to be successful, must have absolute control and be able to regiment the lives of the people until all, in some form or another, come under the control and domination of the State. The attempt of the New South Wales Labour Government to control the press of that State shows how far Socialists will go to obtain that domination.—Yours, etc., COMMON SENSE. December 17, 1953.