Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1949. Political Bluff By Mr Nash

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1949, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 1949. Political Bluff By Mr Nash

T’HERE is a trite saying that statistics A can be macle to prove anything. Mr Nash, in presenting his Budget, certainly quoted plenty of figures in his attempt to impress the people with the glories of Labour-Socialist rule, but he seems to have become lost in a haze of statistics. For instance, in one place he stated that the volume of imports in 1948 was 8| per cent, above the 1938 total. Then a few paragraphs later he increased the figure to 25 per cent. There seems to have been a mistake somewhere —an extraordinary mistake. But, even if the latter figure is taken as correct, it must still be remarked that Mr Nash has been adroit, if not downright cunning, in his choice of years for comparative purposes. It should first of all be noted that what Mr Nash was attempting to prove is his claim that “on a ‘per head’ basis goods available (both imports and locally-pro-duced) are 11 per cent, higher in volume than in 1938-39.” But the year 1947-48 on which Mr Nash bases his case regarding a 25 per cent, rise in imports cannot fairly and justly be compared with the year" 1938-39. In 1938-39, because of Labour-Socialist extravagance and ineptitude, New Zealand faced a grave financial crisis. As a result, Mr Nash had to cut imports severely. lie instituted his notorious control system, as a temporary measure. but later to become permanent—a flagrant breach of a solemn undertaking heLad given the British Government. Now, in regard to 1947-48, it will be remembered that it was a record, importing y ear —it was necessary to make up for the import famine during the war period. What Mr Nash has done, therefore, is to compare a record importing year, 1947-48, with the year 1938-39, in which imports had to be severely curtailed because New Zealand just did not have the money to pay for ail the goods needed from overseas. Another point about Mr Nash’s statistics that is highly important is that the volume of imports "is not necessarily a guide to the goods available for average consumption °by average consumers. New Zealand has been importing tractors and heavy machinery in large quantity. These are not consumer goods which affect the standard of living'of the average family. Mr Nash has afforded no background against which the value of his statistics can be judged. Indeed, in the absence of an explanation, the only possible conclusion is that he has attempted a colossal piece of political bluff.