LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24536, 19 March 1943, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Pensioners and Manpower Sir, —In Auckland and surrounding districts there are great numbers of men of middle age and over who could be of great value if properly placed. It is well known that many men of 60 years of age would be pleased to earn more if it did not penalise them by reducing their pensions. Here is an opportunity to utilise these men's services by both the Government and-the Opposition agreeing to pensioners earning mom without reducing their income, particularly as they would not be competing with our young people and would increase products for the war effort. S. A. Shaw Wool Scouring Sir,—Mr. Walton is apprehensive about the scouring of Now Zealand wool in New Zealand. The fact that there are already wool-scouring plants, both large and small, situated in all woolgrowing centres, and that most of them were established to decrease the weight of the wool to be transported, by from 30 per cent to sometimes over 50 per cent, he has entirely ignored. Our far-seeing Government has seen fit, in these times of petrol and tyre shortages, to close all back-country station scours. The change of heart as expressed by a member, in the Address-in-Reply debate, is very gratifying, if belated. The Bradford woolbuyers are in business for various reasons, as Mr. Walton says, but the main one is dividends, and a study of pre-war conditions in the wool industry there shows a tendency to spasmodic trading, almost equalling our seasons here. Wool scouring may be the "dirtiest and most unhealthy" occupation on his native heath, but in this country, under our conditions and wages, it is a comparatively attractive means of livelihood. Wool Kxpkut The Political Future Sir, —New Zealand to-day is faced with one of its gravest internal dangers —the dearth of suitable men willing to offer their services to their country. Our post-war problems will be of such magnitude as to demand the brains and experience of our most gifted citizens, ft is not possible, however, for ' the majority of men in this category to make the great sacrifice necessary —a sacrifice affecting home, leisure and business—by reason of the paltry remuneration paid to members of Parliament. Any man whose services are worth only £-150 ;ier annum is not n fit and qualified person to engage in the direction of this country's affairs. Speaking generally, we get out of life what we put into it. and the value of services received is commensurate only with the amount paid therefor. The Labour Party has recognised the unfairness of the present remuneration of iMoO per annum by the adoption of a pooling system, whereby the ordinary member of the House receives some-' tiling like £6OO per annum. That party has stolen a march on the rest of the House, and has placed itself in a very I strong position by this shrewd, yet nevertheless wise, action. I think that the standard of political life to-day is due in n large measure to the reason I have mentioned. Wo have no outstanding statesmen in (he oiling to whom we can look with hope for the future. But the tragedy is that while there are men in ovtv way qualified to render a fine service to tlieii; "ountrv and form the backbone of a strong and efficient Parliament, financial consecrations bar the door to their entry into political life Something must he don" to make it possible for any man of ability and character to play his part in public life. The problem is one of serious portent to the future of Now ' Zealand, and if not remedied soon will cause our political life to decenerate. What is the remedy? To raise substantially the remuneration of members of Parliament to a figure commensurate with that which micht reasonably he expected in private life for the rendering of service of equal value. If this were done. ] venture to say that within the period of a few elections, the character of the House and the quality of its work would be greatly enhanced. J. .Victor Macky,