"TIMES OUT OF JOINT"

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 151, 24 December 1930, Page 3

"TIMES OUT OF JOINT"

(To the Editor.) Shy—There can be no doubt that "the times are out o£ joint," and the only thing to consider is how to get matters normal again. Are the methods proposed and adopted the best that can be done? The farmer's cry is for an immediate reduction of wages. It must be admitted that we cannot take more out of any industry than there is in it. We cannot get a quart out of a pint pot. It must also be admitted that the Arbitration Court, admirable though it may be, is not perfect. It would seem to be a bit creaky on its hinges at times. Might I suggest that the demand of the farmers would have carried considerably more weight had they suggested or agreed to an increase of wages in, say, 1924. If my memory does not deceive me, they most strenuously fought any increase. The year mentioned was an exceptionally good year. May I suggest that the real root of the trouble in this country is that the farmer in most cases paid far too high a price foe his land. Anyone that thought that the high prices of the war period were permanent would believe a politician's election promise. But that does not entitle them to attempt to load up the general public with the cost o£ their mistake. The first point is that we are compelled to put our wares on the world's market, and to accept the price that is fixed by the elementary law of supply and demand. When all is said and done, the buyer has the final say. If our cost of production is too high to allow us to moot our competitors in the world's market place, there are two courses open to us, cither reduce our costs, or keep our produce. The latter course is impracticable,' so we must, of necessity, face the former. Wages have got to come down. No one will deny that, but wages are a minor item after all. The.trouble is that overhead expenses are far too high. The man who is working his land efficiently is handicapped by the man who just jogs alorjg. And that does not mean only the farmer. The trouble is just as acute in the industrial field. Anyone who keeps his eyes open can see thousands of pounds being squandered every day by obsolete methods, antiquated machinery, and out-of-date ideas. The time is ripe for a drastic overhaul in all departments. I give place to no one in my admiration for this land. But we are not big enough, or indispcnsible enough to dictate. And I am afraid that -\ve arc just a little inclined to try. What can we do to get out of the mess? May I offer a few suggestions? First, I would couuscl the abandoning of the idea, of looking to the Government for everything. Let us take a leaE out of the old pioneers' book nnd stand on our own feet. Wash out all subsidies, "free" services, (they have to be paid for, anyway), and the "free" service is rather dear al'tcr all. And let us do away with a lot of these irksome protective duties., It will be found, on examination, that all they do is to bolster up an inefficient, incompetent industry. Let us look at it fairly. If a crop can be grown in, say, Australia, railed to a port, loaded on board ship, shipped over 1200 miles to Wellington, pay all landing charges, port duos, etc., and then be sold at a cheaper rate than a similar crop grown in the Hutfc Valley, then to any ordinary man it would seem that we could, with advantage, change our crop. The same can be said of a number of cases that have come under my notice recently. And it is the same with the secondary industries. Then, I would sell the railways, or failing that, give them away. They are costing us a million and a half a year, and we can afford to get rid of that liability at any price. I would close down all Government and municipal trading departments. These people have all their work cut out to administer the law, without trying to run a business, about which they can know nothing. All business with them is subordinate to polities. An interesting case in support of my views is the Wellington Harbour Board. I doubt if there is a more efficiently run concern on the face of the earth. And it is simply the result of its being run by men who know their job and who leave politics on the mat. In closing, may I refer to a statement made a few days ago by Mr. Shailer Weston? He advocated the getting together of all members of an industry, and a frank discussion of their problems. Let me say at once that I am. in hearty agreement with Mr. Weston. But, may I state what actually occurred. An identical course was proposed some time ago in regard to one industry here in Wellington. And what was the reply of the employers' representative? As nnar as T can'say, lie used these words: "That would do 'lio good. Our views aro bound to be opposite to each other. Anything awarded by the Arbitration Court we will carry out, because we've got to, but no good can be done by discussing anything." May I ask Mr. Weeton what his next move would have been?.—l am, etc., ESSE. 506, Adelaide road, Wellington. [The above letter has been abridged.—