National Party policy

Press, 23 August 1979, Page 16

National Party policy

Sir, — Arthur May’s complaining (August 20) over the internal deficit is inconsistent with the criticism by Labour over many years of the policy of the Coalition Government in the ’3os in being obsessed in a time of depression with the need to balance its budgets. The Government’s policj’ of budgeting for a deficit at present has been to keep the economy moving and try to stimulate employment. The deficit is being partly made up by borrowing from those in the community who have money to spare. Your correspondent epitomises the bitterness within the Labour movement which refuses to see any merit in Government policy aimed at getting the country through a difficult economic adjustment. Labour appears to wish only to use these difficulties for its political good. — Yours, etc., J. F. GARVEY, Westport. August 21, 1979.

Cyclists’ association Sir, — Surely you are wrong in your editorial (August 21) paragraph 3. Would not your statement be nearer the truth if you had said:— “Cyclists or their parents, as ratepayers, make a large contribution towards the development, maintenance, lighting and control of our urban road system yet they make very limited demands on this system.” I understand that we in Waimairi will pay, as ratepayers, over $400,000, for road works this year. Most of the homes contributing to this will own sever 1 cycles, many of them for children to get to school, yet for all the money spent little if any will make their journeys easier or safer. This misconception that cyclists make little contribution to the roads they use has been us-1 many times by drivers to justify not giving cyclists a fair go on the roads. In one sentence you have backed that false argument and spoilt the message of your editorial. — Yours, etc.,

R, C. CHADWICK. August 21, 1979.