COUNCIL AND WAGE CUTS.

Evening Star, Issue 21719, 14 May 1934, Page 2

COUNCIL AND WAGE CUTS.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, Your correspondent “ Ratepayer ” lias ,a wonderful imagination. He complains that my statement that his first letter was a fine example of extravagant and inaccurate statements and anti-Labour bias” amounts to vilification. 1 do nob know what djctionary ho uses, but 1 would advise hint to get an Oxford. However, to show that he would not stoop to vilification, he says boastfully that he “ drew the badger.” Lot me assure him that I never was frightened by the barking of blind puppies. Kbw we are assured that “ Ratepayer ” is not anti-Labour, but he certainly is nut Ramsay MacDonald Labour. This is rather rough on Britain’s Prime Minister, that even “ Ratepayer ” in far away Dunedin should see lit to dissociate himself from his political faith. If “ Ratepayer ” is not MacDonald Labour, then ho must bo either a follower of Lansbury Labour, Independent Labour, or Communist Labour. If ho is none of these brands, then I repeat that he is anti-Labour, for, with the exception of the antiLabour politicians, including the Ramsay MacDonald group, all the other sections believe in the restoration of all wage cuts. “ Ratepayer’s ” opposition to wage cut restoration is a distinct anti-Labour attitude. “ Ratepayer ” says that there is no excuse for the action'of the Labour councillors in voting for wage cut ye-

storatiou. Why this concern on “ Hatepayer’s ” part? The Labour councillors have not asked to be excused by ratepayers of “ Ratepayer’s ” class. We care not a brass farthing for their opinions of our public actions. “ Ratepayer ” puts up a plea for the financially embarrassed ratepayer, la he speaking on behalf of those ratepayers like himself who supported the vicious policy of wage reduction and are now reaping the fruit of their own sowing? In his pessimistic imagination, “Ratepayer ” secs the time approaching in the very near future when the workless and the bankrupt ratepayers will be exterminated, and then the council employees will be called upon to pay all the rates to keep themselves in a job. Cheer up, “ Ratepayer,” thinsrs arc not quite so bad as nil that. We are going to have the. workless ratepayers who now help us to pay the rates with us for quite a while. Tll reference to the city’s interest charges, “ Ratepayer ” says “ It’s no use squealing over spilt milk.” In other words, be is not prepared to protest against this burden because of legal obstacles, but takes the opportunity of showing his concern for the struggling unemployed ratepayers by objecting to wage cut restoration. What a ridiculous position for a '“ Labour ’’ supporter to be in? “Ratepayer” says: “The Capitalist system is a selftoniiinating one, and the effort to keep it going beyond a certain time is an effort against Nature.” I want to thank him for this piece of “ valuable ” information. No, I did not know that Capitalism is a natural phenomenon, lint then one learns much baforo one reaches the age of throe score and ten. In conclusion. I must say that I arn very much concerned that “ Ratepayer ” is suspicious of the Labour councillors. Seeing that we have such an observant and critical citizen as “Ratepayer” my colleagues and myself will have to guard our stops very carefullv in the future.—T am, etc., ' . M. SILVEIISTOXE. May 14.' '

THE OVAL. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Winter in Dunedin has descended upon us once more; one has wondered for months at the gangs of men on the Oval putting down the enormous quantity of clay. This, however, now stands revealed in the beauty of its conception. It makes a perfectly good watertight park, and Dunedin stands in possession of possibly the finest , gull sanctuary in New Zealand. During the last week’s wet weather Hie Oval has really been a wonderful sight, witlr its countless thousands of. gulls paddling happily on its broad surface. Our City Fathers, coupled, of course, with the name of Mr Tannock, have certainly used their Scottish acumen, as I understand that after a long spell of dry, windy weather this area can even bo used for-winter sports.—l am, etc. ' Precisely. May 12.