THE GOVERNMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 69, 18 February 1939, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —It is very gratifying to learn from Mr Christensen’s caustic pen that a person lias still the right, in the tangle oi Socialist restrictions and abrogation of the people’s individual rights, to designate to one’s self a title such as business-man. Probably he would like, according to his political colour, to even deny this to a citizen, and compel the business man, by Oruer-in-Council (as per practice to-day) to be designated by some other title more in line with present political mentality, in which the term business man speaks of the’ independence of the individual, in contrast to the subserviency of the individual to the State machine. One is quite conversant with the figures set out in your correspondent’s letter, and it is well to note that by the present policy ot restriction and insulation (or isolation) we can quite easily be carried into a New Zealand-made local slump in so far as the people may have plenty of paper money at their disposal but its buying power of needed goods will be on a much reduced basis, high prices leading to this, and prices too low overseas for our exports to allow us to keep up wages, etc., without inflation by medium of the printing press. Even at the moment our currency is inflated, as people realise by the reduced purchasing power of the pound. It is quite true that purchasing power increased when Labour took over, the reasons being rising export prices and three years of high national income, one of these years the highest ever in New Zealand’s history, and the money has been spent prodigally along with the £36,000,000 (approximately) of London funds (allowing ior about £10,000,000 which has left the country privately owing to politicju threats of insecurity). So by this method purchasing power was increased, tlie position being to-day that such purchasing power has vanished and we have the Socialist cry of "Buy New Zealand-made goods,” which cry would never have needed to be heard had .manufacturers been encouraged three years ago by less stringent taxation and legislation to expand their producing capacity under normal conditions, and by so increasing, absorb men into profitable production, instead of these workers going into many_ nonproductive public works. It is interesting to note that- a politician does not need to have the ability of even a business man, according to your correspondent; may be it is here that we have the reason for our present financial crisis. It seems very obvious. _lf Labour’s policy of restriction and high costs continues its merry way,, there is a likelihood that we may not in due course borrow either inside or outside of New Zealand if production keeps on decreasing along with falling prices, as production is the security our loans are floated on. Your correspondent is quite well aware of the amount of very costly machinery that has been imported for pubic works, which has done its share to deplete the London .funds. One feels awed at the reverence in which Mr Christensen holds the Minister of Public Works, who. no one questions, is one of many capable men in New Zealand who should be a little more thoughtful about expending other people’s money so as to avoid bringing the country. !o its present condition of being lined up with those European countries. Germany and Italy, as to itsNconvmercial outlook. In closing, may T remark that one could visualise Mr Christensen’s pen being laid down, and his slipping from Ms seat to a position of adoration saying in reverence the words, “Good old fighting Boh.”—I am. etc., BUSINESS MAN.