Labour policies

Press, 30 November 1987, Page 16

Labour policies

Sir,—l would like to commend the comments of R. James (November 23) regarding the restructuring of our Government, and would go a little further. My recommendations would be for every disillusioned voter to write and request or demand, that all members of Parliament, and especially Cabinet Ministers, have their wages reduced to the percentage of their collective vote of 47 per cent This would bring home the fact that they are supposed to serve their constituencies. They are paid by the public to respond to public demand, not to impose upon us their own plans. — Yours, etc., NEVILLE M. RUSH.

Sir,—A review of past New Zealand premiers such as Massey, Coates, Forbes, Holland and Holyoake, essentially humble, caring men, leads me to the conclusion that we now have a smug, arrogant Prime Minister

heading what is by far New Zealand’s most arrogant Government With easily the highest revenue ever extracted from this country, its completely arrogant Finance Minister is undeterred by the fact that taxes, Inflation, unemployment goods and services, food and clothing costs keep rising. The rich grow richer. Government members benefit from much higher salaries and superannuation. Yet in a country lavishly endowed

with hydro-electricity and plentiful fish, these essentials, and postal services, have become' outrageously expensive. Nothing has been done to secure industrial harmony or to avoid the disastrous annual wage round. Unfortunately at present we lack an effective Opposition, with the essential outstanding leadership and much-needed harmony. — Yours, etc.,

TED MULCOCK. November 26, 1987.