Rising Costs

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 8

Rising Costs

Sir, —This is one of the best little countries in the world. J. say this because I have personally sampled some ol them. Unfortunately there is a Labour Government in power, passing endless Bills most of which spell increased costs, at a time when the articles produced barely cover cost of production. What does 'this mean? It means, to my mind, that less men will be employed, as there is in a small population very (illicitly a surplus. Il also means men employed at 40 hours a week, and, as they are putting up wages, they will bo much more expensive Io employ. lon will see increased unemployment so far as essential work is concerned. All the measures so far have been to make living more costly. If the Government could explain where the advantage comes in with higher wages ami at the same time higher costs, it would be interesting. Do they think England will allow New Zealand butter and cheese to Hood her markets? They forget or don’t know that the English farmer has found it uneconomical to grow beef as in years gone by, so he has switched over to milk and milk products. These arc one of bis sheet anchors, and I guess the Government at Home will see to it they have a fair go. Anyhow, why not try Germany? I see the Auckland Harbour Board buys German hawsers because they are a little cheaper. 1 came from an agricultural country (the best), and from letters from Home J. read that nearly all the farmers are down ami out, and land is going into grass because it won’t stand the labour costs. The same is going to happen here. No man in his sane senses is going to mess about in agriculture with men at 40 hours a week. He couldn’t do it, if he would. Anyway, Sir, if you and I had just our labour for sale, and the Government was a buyer at 15/- to 10/- a day and a 40-hour week, 1. guess we would both jump at it. ►So I would ask ?'r. Armstrong how the position he has created will be dealt with, keeping in mind that this country and all in it live on the produce of tho land directly. It is not as in England and other countries where they have manufacturing. Anyway, except in a small way, manufacturing is too costly, and they are making it more so. I would in conclusion ask anyone to point to one country where reckless Labour policy has been successful. Take England. Queensland, or New South Wales. Will any suggest .MacDonald, Theodore, or Lang were reasonably sound?

Anyway, this country ha.; to face lip to if for two and a half years yet, ami if; at the end of that time we are not a long way worse off, there will be much to be thankful for.—l am, etc., GEO. E. MERRIKIN. Waipukurau, May LI.