Hurunui

Press, Volume C, Issue 29537, 12 June 1961, Page 3

Hurunui

Sir,—The best reply I can make to Mr T. H Bi'meed is to quote from the 1960 Year Book, which shows that Labour increased the National debt from £254 million in 1935 to £614 miffion in 1949 and from £757 million in 1957 to £844 million last year. They increased taxation from £26.1 million iti 1935 to £121.5 million in 1949 and from £202.9 million in 1957 to £314 million last year. If this is his idee of monetary reform then Heaven preserve us from it.—Yours, etc., C. E. CULLEN. June 9. 1961.

Sir.—ln answer to W. B. Bray, the only firm conclusion which can be drawn from the General Election results its that the Socreds successfully split the vote to keep Labour out of office. As far as monetary policy- is concerned. National’ and Socreds share a common interest. Money is their God—either the making of it or the manipulation of it. Labour believes that higher living standards and social justice and fair shares and fair dealings for all is the road to peace and world understanding. But a prerequisite to these is higher production. This, not money, is the important end. Money is only a medium of exchange. Money must be the servant, not the master, and Labour’s monetary reforms—the only genuine reforms—are directed to this end. Socreds have lined up with National to prevent further monetary reform. They share the blame for the decision to apply to join the World Bank.—Yours, etc.. T. H. BITMEAD. June 8. 1961.

Sir. —As Social Credit reportedly supports continuation of the cold war by its support for SEATO and ANZUS, I would like to ask John Forster if his party, by its influential support of the Atlantic Pact and the armaments race, agrees with the recent British sale of £2O million worth of armaments to Germany. Does his party also inferentially support the Polaris missile base in Scotland? Mr Forster says that history has taught Labour and National nothing. What exactly has it taught Social Credit? And 82.000 unemployed requires some slick explaining, as well as the fact that in a New Zealand hypothetical balance-of-power situation Social Credit would support National. I believe we should recognise Social Credit as just another antiworking class party, eager to get on in the commercial world by a quick cut, and keen for the spoils, power, influence and prestige of office. —Yours, etc., . „ ESAU. June 9, 1961.