WASTE AND WANT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 13

WASTE AND WANT

Sir, —To-day is the day of halftruths. We have the glaring case of the currency reformers quoting Guernsey as a shining example of what can be done by note manipulation. They applaud the borrowing of money to build the markets, but omit to give full particulars. The land those markets were built on was not bought at a fictitious valuation, the work was done at the lowest possible cost and the very best of workmanship was put into them. They definitely stated when the money would be paid back and they honoured their contract. Guernsey had no overseas debt, no excise and no customs duties. Moreover, the idea of building the markets was to keep the costs down to the consumer while giving the'maximum return to producer for his labour. Just imagine the Government of New Zealand, or any of our local bodies setting out on such a project! For the last 14 years at least we have been borrowing money for wastefully-administered construction works, over-valued improved land for closer settlement and to pay interest on existing loans under the guise of public works and land settlement. Slump or no slump, wo were heading for tha same destination. The depression is forcing us to pay for our acts instead of leaving it for our children to bear the full burden. Instead of taking a lead from those sturdy Channel Islanders and getting our shoulders into the collar by reducing the cost of living, and cost of production we are taxing even the bare necessities of life, even the very bread we eat, to the limit. We are retarding the breakingin of virgin land owned by the State, which qpunts as an asset what is really a dangerous liability, a host for noxious weeds. We have allowed our political machinery to become the puppet of groups of self-seekers. Let our Legislature emulato the Channel Islanders and keep out of all business competition with its citizens and enact only laws which guarantee the liberty of the subject, the sanctity of contract and the rights of property. A. B. Fyers. Ilangiriri.