EXCHANGE POLICY.

Evening Star, Issue 21785, 30 July 1934, Page 2

EXCHANGE POLICY.

TO THB EDITOR.. Sir, —The Government altered its exchange policy for the purpose of assisting distressed primary producers, and thus decided that : all imported goods consumed or used in the dominion would be increased in price to provide the bonus to the producers, and the increased exchange has definitely raised the prices of all such goods do the consuming public, whether Mr Coates admits it or hot. It was never intended that the general public should be taxed to provide assistance to primary producers in good financial circumstances ; but nothing has been done to prevent this happening, consequently we have , the absurdly unjust. position of the poor and distressed citizens be‘ing taxed to provide further wealth for those conifortably off, and in a greater degree for the rich, because the more, they export the higher the bonus they receive, independent of the fact that, in many cases, the prices without the -o per cent, are sufficient to pay a profit on production. When this position •was pointed out the Government should have taken steps to protect the people by introducing a means test, and diverted that portion of the subsidy to the unemployment, sustenance, or Consolidated Fund. . That would have maintained its policy (?) of “ Equality of sacrifice,” but the Government has failed to do the fair and just thing. ■ As the high exchange is going to he continued, surely it is inconceivable that Parliament and the general publie will allow such injustice to continue. ,Whv should we he taxed to provide surplus funds for the wealthy who are not in distress and do not require help? The thing is monstrous, unjust, and .“ smells to heaven for vengeance. It is oppression of the poor, and defrauding the labourer of Ips, wages, class legislation in its very worst form, and a blot on Christianity. If the exchange must bo continued at 25 per cent., it would be quite easy to arrange for a refund or tax to have that portion not legitimately required to assist distressed producers returned to another fund to bo used for the benefit of the State (the people). The enormity of the offence is so great that every class of Christian people should immediately take steps to have it put right, and refuse to allow such an injustice to continue. Subsidise and help those who require it; yes, by all means; .but give them a portion of such funds recovered, if necessary; but let us end at once the ridiculous absurdity of making the poor and the poorer contribute a bonus to anv who cannot prove that such is their due. Can we look to Parliament to right this grievous wrong? Hardly, 1 think, unless the public expresses its indignation in strong and forcible terms, and why not?—l am, etc., Equity. Wellington, July 27. ,