Wage increase

Press, 19 May 1984, Page 16

Wage increase

Sir,—Mr Bolger is quite right to point out the extreme Left influence in the Labour Party, but, if one observed his own actions, it would seem that his own party is suffering from the same disease. After all, what government other than a totalitarian one could dictate that a $7.99 pay rise is too small, and yet an $B.Ol pay rise is too large, and make both actions an offence punishable with a possible fine of $5000? — Yours, etc., L. J. BRAWLEY. May 17, 1984.

Sir,—A law passed by a “free enterprise” National Government is about to be used to prosecute a man for giving his staff a wage rise. Do I hear a clamour of indignation from those “unashamed free enterprisers” we elected in 1981? Is there a rush by all our “fiery independents” to condemn this socialism? Not a solitary whimper. The false god of party loyalty has made cowards of those we pay to represent us. Any member of Parliament who does not publicly commit himself to putting the will of his electorate and the dictates of his own conscience before party loyalty is not doing what he is paid for. He should stand down in favour of someone who is willing to put the will of his electorate before any other consideration.—Yours, etc., R. P. RITCHIE. May 14, 1984.