Liberty and prosperity

Press, 31 August 1989, Page 12

Liberty and prosperity

Sir,—The heading of this correspondence seems singularly inappropriate to describe “the triumph of the twentieth century,” if that triumph is to be viewed in terms of uncertainty in moral standards and the domination of millions of people by atheistic State dictatorships. Such “advances” have certainly characterised the world in the twentieth century, but they have not brought liberty and prosperity. In New Zealand we are not so far down the road to “enlightened moral uncertainty” as some who are in slavery to communist governments. This does not mean we are in no danger. Our own Government has extended State controls and made immoral decisions in the areas of banking, tenancies, taxation, farming industries, health services, education, police services, gambling and pensions. Instead of sound medical, educational, social and moral reasons being advanced for the changes, we have been told it is necessary to save money. Do we really want morally uncertain leadership? — Yours, etc., JOHN D. CANHAM. August 28, 1989.