"INSULATING” NEW ZEALAND.

Evening Star, Issue 23055, 6 September 1938, Page 7

"INSULATING” NEW ZEALAND.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I would like “ Simple Simon ” to explain more fully his meaning of money going into wrong channels. Does he think every working man in the

country should invest half his earnings ? Why does he think it is such a bad thing to spend money? In regard to building up secondary industries, why should British interests object to our reducing the total value of our imports if the total value of our exports has become reduced? I would like to know what he means by market values dropping, affecting the credit balance of the Government schemes. Anyone would think it depended solely on the market for its revenue. He admits that the potential wealth of this country is enormous. Well,'l am sure if he can show the Government and the people of this country that such is the case, this Government would be willing to co-operate with him. It has taken steps in that direction. Your correspondent believes 10 times the amount spent on public works, etc., would be all right if productive. Then why not spend a big proportion in this direction ? He takes it that the purchasing power of this country will , alter in the event of another depression. It certainly will if nothing.is done about it.—l am, etc., A. Hall. September 5. TO THE EDITOR Sir, —Could not Mr Savage be compelled to state plainly how he intends to insulate New Zealand if another wave of depression comes—and there are numerous signs already—how he thinks he can insulate it against a world-wide depression? We have a right to demand a full explanation. Does Mr Savage dare to say that he knows ’ more about the subject than Earl Baldwin does? In ‘ Service of Our Lives,’ by Earl Baldwin, 1 read (page 44): —“You spoke, Mr Chairman, of the amazing progress of this country in the last five years. That is true; but that progress, to my mind, can never rest on secure foundations until others share it. There can be no such thing in the long run as the prosperity of an isolated nation. None of us can see how it is to be done yet—the fog is too thidk—but until the trade of the world once more begins to move from one country to another and goods can be exchanged and paid for —until that happens there is no permanency to the security we have gained.’’ Let Mr Savage regain our confidence by telling us plainly what it is he knows about this matter that neither Earl Baldwin nor his colleagues knew. Until he docs that we_ should be committing national suicide by blindly believing him. If he has more knowledge than Earl Baldwin he should bo proud to share it with us.—l am, etc.. Be Open September 5.