The economy

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 12

The economy

Sir, — I agree with Arthur'May that industrial unrest is not the cause of the prevailing economic chaos but simply a reflection of an outmoded economic principle that governments still cling to so tenaciously in this age of automation. I agree also that the proposed addition to the aluminium industry could prove, if not dis-

astrous, at least not beneficial to the economic wellbeing of New Zealanders. I am dismayed over today’s attitude by trade unions in the continuous wrangle over “relativity.” When I was active in trade union affairs we were concerned solely in getting improved wages and conditions for our members, and not what other workers were receiving. One day I hope that we will have a Government prepared to examine the West German system where a prosperous’ nation of 30M people manages with only 16 unions as compared with our 3M people and about 300 unions.. — Yours, etc., JOHN J. FORSTER. August 24, 1980.

Sir,—Arthur . May (August 25) found my letter (August 20) anti-union and yawn-pro-voking and yet deemed it necessary to reply.in a typically vague socialist way. It is of interest that Mr May did not explain why we need 294 unions to cater .for the whims of 464,000 reputed workers ’ "compared ” with West Germany’s 16 unions for 25 million real workers. If your correspondent is prepared to be a Rowling sheep then I am not prepared to be Muldoon lamb. If all Labour supporters find my letters “yawn-provoking” then it is to be hoped that socialist lockjaw is not induced through further correspondence. It might be more appropriate to support the people of Lyttelton where Mrs Hercus maintains there is extreme poverty and quiet desperation. — Yours, CtC - '• '' ■ ’ L. J. STEVENS, I Oamaru. , August 25, 1980.