THE UNITED PARTY AND ITS PLEDGES.'

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20874, 14 November 1929, Page 15

THE UNITED PARTY AND ITS PLEDGES.'

TO THB EDITOR. Sir, —Having read a number of letters in your columns on the subject, may I ask those writers, did not the United Party carry out the following platform pledges? (1) Give work to the unemployed, and did. not hundreds refuse the work when offered; (2) start the South Island Main Trunk railway and NapierGisborne railway; (3) arranged to run a mail boat from Melbourne to the Bluff; (4) tax the big man on the land; (51 cut up more estates for closer settlement; (6) gave advances on workers’ dwellings to all those who asked for it; (7) give advances to settlers on the land; (8) borrowed the money without any difficulty and at a lower rate than previous loans by the Reform Government? Then these writers say those who voted for the United Party surely regret doing so. May I ask th,ese writers whether Sir Joseph Ward made a platform pledge that he would give, the Post and Telegraph employees a rise in salary? If so, when' and where? Personally, I think the low paid P. and T. officials are entitled to a rise in their salaries, and also that the members of. Parliament are entitled to an increase in their salaries, as they have two homes to keep, and they "require more pocket money. In my opinion no Government employee is asked, to dip into his pocket for charity, while in every collection that is- promoted in every district the M.P. is asked to head'the list. I may sav that the limitation of members’ salaries to the £450 keeps many a good man out of Parliament, as he can earn more at other jobs and incur less expense. In Monday’s issue Mr Evans says the true Labour policy is to tax land values. If Mr Evans refers to small sections, think he is very much wrong. The Gilchrist estate is to be cut up shortly. 1 advise Mr Evans to go in for a piece ( land, and the only harm I wish him is that Ke will be successful to draw a section.’ I am sure that after living on the land for a few years Mr Evans will he in favour of taxing the land, although he will find the rent very reasonable. He advises me to read “ Progress and Poverty,” by Henry George. My opinion of that writer is that his writings are all lunacy, sooner than take his advice, I ask Mr Evans whether, if I start a lunatic society, he and other Socialists will join it? It will cost him 10s to join with a subscription of 6d per week. I am prepared, although I am not a Socialist, to act as secretary and treasurer as I am a man of leisure. I will advise Mr Evans later on what benefits are to be derived from the society.—l am, etc., Queer Feluow. November 12.