"THE FLYING SQUAD"

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 138, 8 December 1931, Page 6

"THE FLYING SQUAD"

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—A statement in the newspapers blichvs that the Chambers of Commerce s.eem anxious to start more retrenchment and wage cutting, as if enough barm to the business people has not already been done |by this method of cutting, down the spending power of poorer people. How doc^ this appeal by the president of the ; Chambers of Commerce reconcile with the objections of the retailers and manufac- : turers. Are we to gather that there' are no retailers or manufacturers on the Chamber of Commerce who can object to the harmful effect of the president's statement? The president makes much of a "mandate" from the people, but an analysis of the voting published in the papers today shows the opposite. It shows that the Coalition voting has greatly decreased, while the Labour vote, has increased. Does this uot mean the opposite to n mandate? Does it not indicate, as the Dunedin and: Christchurch Press clearly show, that there is resentment among some of the people about the' previous policy of retrenchment and wage cutting? The South Island papers very wisely suggest that in view of this large body of public opinion the Government should be very careful indeed of making any further inroads. It,is gpod that we should have newspapers in ,the country frank and decent enough to make this warning, even although'their, personal feelings were strongly in favour of the previous policy. They have undoubtedly been influenced by the extensive Labour wins in the cities, showing that many people ■ have changed over from one side to the other. The analysis of the figures shows as follows:— Coalition 372,5GS Labour 229,884 In 1928 the aggregate was:— Reform .................254,745, United 219,745 Total Reform and United Wotes / ;.. 474,490 This year the total Coalition votes are 372,8(38, or a loss by the two combined parties of 01,622. Labour's votes in 1928 were 185,773, but instead of showing a loss like the combined parties they show a gain of 44,111. Whether it is a "mandate" or not to suffer a loss in votes depends on one's political views, but the increase in the votes for Labour rather show that the policy of Labour received an increased vote. If it is clear that a definite mandate is absent, then it is also clear that the electors did not elect the Chamber of Commerce as the governing body for the purpose of reducing their own taxation burdens and placing them on the shoulders of 'others less able to pay. His Excellency the Governor-General, when opening their conference, warned them against taking up a sectional attitude, f The Chambers of Commerce representing city interests must be perturbed at the strong city feeling against their policy as was shown at the election. The president says they are going to send a "flying squad" throughout the country, but he should prepare for opposition. The branches are not likely to receive with much warmth the president's policy, as too many of their members have suffered already because of the Chamber's views.— I am, etc., ■ . KETAILEK.