Labour policies

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 16

Labour policies

Sir,—Some people who ) may be bewildered by the close relationship between the “socialist, working class” Labour Governments of Australia and ’ New Zealand, and the monopoly,[capi-talist-multinational corporations may | care to reflect upon the following quote, penned in >1920, by the author and Fabian Socialist, H. G. Wells: “Big business is by [no ’means antipathetic Ito communism! The larger big business’ grows,;[the more it approximates to collectivism. It is the upper road bf the few, instead of the lower road of the masses to collectivism!” For those) who want to knojw, collectivism 'is the socialist principle of control by the [people,) dr the State, of all economic activities. Interesting. — Vours', etc., | J. PRICE. j March 18, 1988. , Sir,—Despite all the criticisms, explanations, articles and interviews 'over the week-end, the fact [remains that after years of Rogernomics, unemployment and the cost of living are still 1 rising and our superannuation and medical benefits are endangered.’ From being one of the cheapest countries in ’which to live we are now rated among the very [dearest. That hurts. The real tragedy is that there) is; no vigorous opposition firmly in ’ a convincing commitment to restore full employment,) radically lower living costs and make superannuation and medical benefits ’self-supporting as [intended in 1938. Sincere, united effort could achieve all these objectives and- enlist wide public support, [rhe dynamic Ruth Richardson offers strong criticism, but no practical specific alternative and! she is unlikely to gain solid support from Jim Bolger, Sir Robert Muldoon, Bill) Birch and other leading Nationalists. — Yours, etc., ’ ' ! TED MULCOCK. ! ' [ j March 20, 1988. ’

Sir, —The reprehensible action of .'the Prime Minister in removing Jim Anderton, from office as chairman of two committees is typical of the | action taken by power-wielding; politic bians who Cannot accept’ ’criticism and, attempt to justify policies and principles by ; applying primitive methods. The j veiled implication .’ of such action by other M.P.s is obvious. This century has witnessed the disasters resulting from the ; .arrogant leadership’of |larger nations. Let us not dismiss the possibilities of the same chickens coming home to roost! A government) which places dollars before people has no place) in (“God's own.”—Yours, etc.,' id Ji' i ' ' ■ ! ! . i ERIC VOYCE. J I March.2o, 1988. i! i | . j j Sir,-HThe latest N.RB poll reveals a) Imassive decrease [in support [for Labour and) for its leaden These results are not, (in themselves) surprising.! What is surprising’is the all-forgiving attitude that has prevailed up until now in trie face of| monetary measures 1 1 that have ’ ’bienefited only the already wealthy in our society, ah'd Labour’s blatant reversal of h string of pre-election promises, i Even more surprising is that the electorate has tolerated for) so long the antics of an insufferably arrogant) and pom- ! • ■= i I .. i ! ’n

pous Prime Minister, the former : trait also being shared by his two : first-lieutenants. Some would : argue ) that National has no alternative policy. I suggest that it scarcely needs it since Labour,’ unless jit changes course rapidly,’ is desjined to self-destruct. —| Yours, etc., I S. M.>ELLS. March 21.T988.