Then—and Now

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 62, 6 December 1930, Page 11

Then—and Now

Sir,—-What a difference we find to-day throughout this Dominion compared with the conditions up to two years ago. Thd writer feels constrained to pen the following thoughts, with the hope that there may be some gleam of help and measure of guidance to the electors when next they are called upon to choose the men to govern them. When I first arrived in New Zealand the Coates Government was in power, and the whole country was prosperous—wool, cheese, butter and other products were finding a ready market at good prices; the emigrants arriving were almost sure of work, as well as being more satisfied with their outlook than they are today. The severe . depression, fallen prices for produce overseas; unemployment; the low prices realised to-day for wool; in fact, all the depressing and impoverished state of the country at the present was unknown to the writer until after the last election. The truth of these assertions may be ascertained by anyone —of whatever shade of politics— if they will compare the years 1924-5-6-7-8 with the years 1929-30., Such a thing as relief Work, and the Unemployment Act were never even dreamed of—and strange, but true, the losses on,the railways, were never so big as they have been during the past two years. Every Government makes mistakes, or views something of national importance from- a wrong angle—but I think I am safe in stating that everything has gone wrong since the Coates Government was turned'out of power. Cast your thoughts away back to 1,924, electors, and then can anyone dispute what I assert. New Zealand was prosperous and happy; her credit high in London; her Government’s prestige at the high water mark as a Dominion; her farmers prospering; work plentiful; taxation lower than to-day—-and, to sum it all up, may I forecast that those days will surely come again—but never under the present mixture of United—cum—Labour tactics and government.

As an aside; may I point out that more distress and unemployment exists in Great Britain to-day, under the Labour Government, than • has been known for many a long year—yes, despite the cheap gibes at the “Tory landlords,” and “bloated capitalists.” 'New Zealand must take note of this concrete example, and watch that a similar power does not dominate here. It is said so often that it becomes stale: ‘‘The people-get the Government they deserve.” Well, it’s about time this “booh” was brought up to date—the people in this fair Dominion deserve better things than‘ they are faced with-to-day! Just another pointer: What has caused the internal strife, trouble, unemployment, and grave position in Austra-; lia—her army of unemployed, and everything that depresses her present outlook? —a Labour Government. This is my unbiased opinion—not propaganda for political purposes.—l am, etc., ALADDIN. Wellington, November 30.