ECONOMY PROPOSALS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 57, 8 March 1932, Page 6

ECONOMY PROPOSALS

"In his reply to the. Public Service'deputation, the Prime Minister, seemed to hint at further w^ge. reductions (writes "Anti-Panic Commission"). -It would seem that the Prime Minister has little knowledge of the feeling of the r business community \on his proposal, for since the first cut was made business feeling has been steadily growing against such a measure, for two reasons:—(l) That the section operated on is financially the least able to bear it; (2) /that most of the wages represent spending power -ion food,and clothes which is withdrawn from business." The ; writer welcomes chambers of commerce objections to the proposal. "The reply of the Prime Minister to a Public Service deputation asking what policy they stood for, either wholesale dismissals or wage reductions, is scarcely a fair reply. It is like asking a captured prisoner if he would like a bullet in the heart on in the brain. On the other hand, one of the Cabinet Ministers acted, more fairly when he said ... 'the choice was retrenchment or _ further^taxatum.' ■ I wonder why the Prime Minister omitted the choice of taxation? It is the logical way, because: then the sacrifice can be spread, evenly over the whole population. The same answer was given by the Prime Minister last year, dismissals or reductions,* and dismissals were made as well as reductions. Many people are expressing regret that the courage with" which the Prime Minister was credited over wage cuts was" not exemplified when the more serious exchange question came to light. No very strong stand was taken, but the deputations were told that their views would receive the most earnest consideration, and so they did."