PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12163, 13 June 1925, Page 4

PUBLIC OPINION

TO CORRESPONDENTS. 'The Watcher."—Because we hid you observe the decencies of newspaper controversy, especially when writing under a pen-name, you become childishly abusive. Wq welcome fair comment on public meh"' and matters from correspondents, but we will not tolerate mud-slinging from behind a hedge, even from # an oracle like yourself. When a writer, sheltering behind pseudonymity as you do, libels without rhyme or reason two leading citizens of this town, he is inviting sharp correction, and we conceived it to be our plain but unpleasant duty to administer it. Your letter very willingly returned. "Markets."—Thanks for tne suggestion. FUSION: A DUNEDIN VIEW (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —Referring to my letter in your issue of Monday last, I wrote “cunning” (not “coming”) Reform wirepullers. As to your footnote, it is true, as you say, that I am “neither a prophet, nor the son of a prophet” ; but as I did not prophesy concerning the Liberal leader’s attitude to the fusion proposal, your footnote is quite gratuitous and pointless. The Liberal leaders may ultimately decide on political suicide, but it does not follow that the main body of their party will be so foolish as to end their political existence.

Already, the mere willingness of the Liberal leader to appoint delegatee to confer with the other side on the question of policy has resulted in a movement to form a new Liberal Party Under a new leader, with a new policy and a new constitution. It is surely time to sweep out the old “Liberal” gang and put better men in their plaoes. Upwards of 80 per cent, of the voters who thus far have voted for Marxian Socialism would readily vote for 3uch a democratic and antimonopoly polioy os has been laid down by Mr Lloyd George for the British Liberal Party. The so-called “Reform” Party, according to Mr Ngata, M.P., are “wolves in sheeps’ clothing.” They would not be any different if the Liberals joined them. Can the Ethiopian change his slnn or the leopard his spots.—-1 am, etc., E. T. EVANS. Dunedin, June 10th, 1925. [Wo hope our correspondent is wrong. Another party would add a new terror to Dominion politics.—Ed. “N Z. Timea.”J POLITICAL FUSION (To the Editor, ‘‘N.Z. Times.’ ’) Sir, —The fusion of the Reform and Liberal parties will be of no economical value to New Zealand unless provision is made for. a supply of money adequate for building houses for workers, acquiring land for settlement, and the gisjantio requirements of the Public Works Department for railways, hydro-electricity, and highways, and the huge demands of local bodies for millions of money for city, borough, and county undertakings. ■ Everybody agrees that money must be found to house people who are homeless, and Mr McLeod has said that land must be oloser settled to absorb our increasing population. All progtesslire people agree that a vigorous pub%; works policy with city, suburban,’‘and urban developments must bo pursued. The recent five million loan raised in London is not enough for this programme of works; not half enough, and if the Reform and Liberal parties think this beggarly sum sufficient then the sooner both these parties are fused out of political existence the better. It is useless asking London for more money during this financial year when our recent loan was practically wholly left in the underwriters’ hands, consequently a new source of finance must be found. llie New Zealand Treasury must be empowered to issue the credit necessary for this Dominion’s financial needs, which credit notes must be made the legal tender currency of this country until such time as sterling is available for the redemption of this paper medium of exchange. The Labour Governments of two Australian States have already got this desirable new scheme of finance under consideration for immediate adoption, and if the Reform and Liberal parties of New Zealand reject this financial system. Mr Holland will lie able to win the next general election by making this most desirable and needful Treasury finance scheme the chief plank in bis programme for the economical development of the industrial life of this Dominion.—l am, etc., F. T. MOORE. Mangatera, 10/6/’25. j