IRISH VIEW.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1943, Page 3

IRISH VIEW.

(TO THE EDITOR.J

Sir, —A few lines in answer to “Homie” on the “Irish View.” Taking a superficial view, as the “Belfast Irish News” would do, everything would appear just as “Homie” points out, but let us get down to figures. Everyone knows that a slump follows a boom and a boom follows a slump just as sure as night follows day. New Zealand had had her five years of slump and was already on" the up grade when Labour slipped into power. Nothing on earth could stop such a rich country from going ahead, irrespective of who was in power, but in spite of the fact that the Labour Party came in on the very crest of the wave with everything in their favour, the national debt of this country has been increased by sixty-eight millions irrespective of any war expenditure. Does not that speak for itself? The chickens started to come home to roost, but the war scared them away and saved the Labour Government, but that has only staved off the evil day. The public debt of this country to-dav stands at about five hundred millions and I would like to know how much of this “Homie” is prepared to put his name to \yhen the final showdown comes. I guess he’ll be back to Belfast quick and lively. New Zealand can certainly set the world an example in many wav« at a cost, but who pays? September 25th will show the world that New Zealand does stand behind the National Party in spite of “Homie’s nroohecv to the contrary. Yours etc. pi 1 ' w . T OGILVIE

[TO THE EDITOR.]

Si r Taking the “Irish News” of Belfast as his Bible, “Homie” quoted that journal’s remarks about New Zealand in an attempt to show that the defeat of the Labour Government would mean a complete collapse for the Dominion. What a joke! Perhaps “Homie” was not serious after all. H he were, he evidently overlooked the fact that the writer in the “Irish News” was thousands of miles away, and could have no first-hand knowledge of conditions under the Labour Government. Thousands of New Zealanders know the real state ol affairs, and on Saturday will do their best to bring about a change. According to “Homie,” it is essential “for the honour of New Zealand, for the future peace of the world and for the future of humanity,” that the world should know that New Zealand does not stand behind the party called Nationalists. This is further evidence that the Labourites have got the wind up badly. “Homie” should cheer up. The Nationalists will prove that they are nothing like so bad as they are being painted by the Labour Party.—l am, etc., ANOTHER HOMIE.

LABOUR CLAIMS

[TO THE EDITOR.] Sir, —Listening to the broadcast oi Hon. R. Semple the other night, one smiled at his loud-mouthed claims to have saved New Zealand from the Japs. Why, everyone knows how, at the peak of the Jap. threat, our first line of home defence, the Home Guard, were armed. It was only when the Americans took us under their protective wing that the situation improved financially and militarily. Whv, prior to that we had to obtain twelve million pounds from poor old harassed John Bull. Yet Fraser, Nash, Semple and Co. have the cheek to try and usurp the credit. Then we ’come to the muchdebated cost of living. Labour Party propagandists by song, wireless and story insist that the same has increased only 13.2 per cent. What a lot of jokes mentally they must take us all’for! Every housewife knows the answer to that one, even if some of the men folk don't. In fact, taxation will soon overlap wages, and we will be living on the debit balance unless of course the Kidderminster marvel thinks out a new one. According to one of your correspondents some residents of Old Ireland or Eire think we have a marvellous financial system in New Zealand. So we have; our estimated external and internal debl will soon amount to £450,000,000. We, sure, are wizards of finance — “debt finance.” Then we have Hatlifter Mr Webb putting over a new back-scratching turn. No doubt, Messrs Fraser and Nash will feel highly flattered at Patrick’s assessment. Next comes the radio monopoly and exclusion of political opponents. Of course, it does not matter if thirty or forty of those said opponents are in the King's uniform. Sure, folks vote lor Labour and get smothered financially or strangled by mass regulations, Orders-in-Council and bombastic, petty dictatorships!— Yours, etc.,

SCRUTATOR

POWER BOARD

[TO THE EDITOR.]

Sir, —I will be grateful to any of your readers who will explain why it was necessary for the Grey Power Board's Engineer, Mr Trotter, and the Secretary, Mr McClymont, also two members of the Board, to attend the recent conference held at Napier. I understand that the combined salaries of the Engineer and Secretary are approximately £29 per week. Under these circumstances, surely it is reasonable they would be qualified to administer the affairs of the Power Board without having to attend conferences. When one considers that there is no power-house, the current is purchased in bulk, and all that is needed is overhead lines and reticulation there does not seem to be anything highly technical about this, simply a linesman’s job.—Yours, etc., PUZZLED. '

[TO THE EDITOR.] Sir, —I add my support to “No Conference” for his letter appea'rmg in Saturday's edition of the “Star.” It makes interesting reading to follow the activities of certain local body members. Quite recently this same clique would not support the reduction of the price of power for lhei householder, and had it not been for the Brunner representative’s amendment to the motion, we, the longsuffering householder and taxpayer, would not have derived any benefit,’ as the original motion was an allround reduction where only the large consumer would benefit. Further, they were not in favour of a slight' increase of salaries for their staff, but did not hesitate in any expenditure involved where they themselves were concerned, such as the trip to the conference. I could mention other instances, too, but one which comes to my mind at the moment, the same clique on the Harbour Board passed for payment a medical account for one of their professional men, who had received treatment in a private hospital. The employee in quest! >n receives so high a salary that he is debarred from the _ compensati in clause. If you or I, Mr Worker, i "- qul.red treatment, there is always a free public hospital, and if we’ desired the style of a private one, I doubt if our employers would pay the bill. However, this clique find it ' no trouble to spend the taxpaye: s’ money. Wake up, Mr and Mrs Ratepayer, and remember these little activities when the next municipal election comes round.—l am. etc.. DISGUSTED RATEPAYER.