Mr Shand’s Address

Press, Volume C, Issue 29599, 23 August 1961, Page 7

Mr Shand’s Address

Sir,—Your article on Mr Shand’s address was very good indeed. I wish more public men were unafraid to speak what they think to be right. I am neutral in politics, and I am amazed at the extreme political bias of some people, particularly Labour supporters. For example, in today’s issue we have the usual absurd letter from T. Hr Bitmead. It contains some of the most senseless statements imaginable. I think it is pretty obvious that "Disillusioned Nationalist’’ has never been a Nationalist supporter, or so it seems to me Yes, I know there are biased Nationalists, but they are mere tyros compared with their opponents.—Yours, etc., AMAZED. August 22, 1961.

Congratulations to Mr Shand for his straightforward warning to manufacturers that sick industries should not be nursed. Just as you prune the dead wood from fruit trees to keep them healthy, so any business which is sapping the vitality of our economy should be eliminated. Protected industries which are permitted to price their products on a cost-plus system are encouraged to push their costs up regardless. The greater their costs of production, the higher their profit. Consequently they are a menace to economic industries which are producing goods for export Nelson already has a thriving fruit industry which, with primary products from that area, earns overseas funds. The establishment of a cotton mill at a cost of several millions and a continuous drain on our overseas credit for raw materials will, by unfair competition for available labour, seriously prejudice the existence of those economic industries, with disastrous effects on our economy.— Yours, etc., ALARMED. August 20, 1961.

Sir, —From the frequency of “Disillusioned Nationalist’s letters to your column it can be quite legitimately inferred that his

disillusionment is an obsession. Obsessions of this sort, as everybody knows, lead to irrational, acts and writing. If he ever was a Nationalist why does he not give the National Government, of which Mr Shand is a member, a little longer than a few months, which is all it has had, so. that its policies can blossom forth into full flowers of success? If, on the other hand, he has never been a Nationalist, he should subscribe himself “One-eyed Labourite.” —Yours, etc., DISILLUSIONED FORMER LABOUR SUPPORTER. August 22, 1961.