Mr G. H. Hale not pleased with Govt

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33675, 26 October 1974, Page 18

Mr G. H. Hale not pleased with Govt

A Christchurch man, Mr G. H. Hale, has written to the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) to say he is disappointed in the measures taken by the Government to ‘“alleviate the problems facing the country.”

Mr Hale draws attention to a report in a morning newspaper which quoted Mi Rowling as saying “We must adapt our policies to the immediate situation, and this will require co-operation—-even an element of sacrifice —from the whole community.” Mr Hale says it appears to him that the sacrifice is, in the main, being asked foi from the people the Laboui Government claims to represent, the New Zealand workers. “To take two or three dollars a week out of the pocket of the family man, who already has barely sufficient to meet the day-to-day costs of living, right at Christmas when he needs it most, seems to me an undue sacrifice, particularly when other sections of the community are not similarly penalised.” Mr Hale asks what action! the Government proposes to'

take about the iespecially those who manufacture from New Zealand! i products, not directly affected iby world prices. They “seem :to be able to increase prices, ■ ! particularly of foodstuffs J with impunity, and in their! : annual balances, show enor-! mo us profits.” He also asks about the ! large unions who can “bring I pressure to bear” to get large income increases, on an already above-average income, j compared with “Mr Average,” who works in ordinary conditions and without an aggressive union to enforce his claims.