The economy

Press, 24 December 1985, Page 16

The economy

Sir,—lf Hugo Steincamp wishes to convict me of self-contradiction, he will have to refer to a particular letter rather than vaguely to “a recent letter.” We can all feel relieved that the value of the New Zealand dollar has fallen somewhat, thus saving our exporters from imminent ruin. Living under the present Government reminds one, regrettably, of a bad oldfashioned melodrama. Next year, probably, the threatened disaster will be that of super-inflation from excessive falls in the dollar. New thrills from the floating dollar roller-coaster. Mr Steincamp says that both the United States and New Zealand Governments “remain pragmatic and use interventionist measures where they deem it appropriate.” Let us hope that in the new year the Government will talk less about those who don’t deserve harsh treatment having to “tough it out” and will rediscover the Christian compassion which distinguished earlier ’Labour Governments.—Yours, etc., MARK D. SADLER. December 22, 1985.