THE WAGE-CUT MISREPRESENTATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22720, 5 November 1935, Page 4

THE WAGE-CUT MISREPRESENTATION

TO THE EDITOR. J Rib—The Labour candidates repeat %ith ’ parrot-like regularity that since June, 1930, the aggregate wage reduction Sue to the “ cuts ” is . not less than £95,000,000. This figure is calculated on &e assumption that, but for the cuts, isvery man employed in January, IJ3O, Would have remained in work at full wages imtil June. 1934—an obvious impossibility «wing to the decreased turn-over in busiSTo prove- their case these candidates do jiot hesitate to mislead as to facts, ihey eav: " The unemployed in December, J'93o, totalled 11,442. In October, 1931, after the first ‘cut,’ the number was »ver 51,408.” The figures are correct, but, 4ts quoted, are intentionally misleading. They omit to say that, before the first h cut,” there were already over 42,000 men out of work. These candidates assert that 81,000 of these 42,000 lost their jobs because of the “ cuts.” How on earth could g. “cut” in May,- 1931, put men out of Work back to December. 1930? It is the same with regards to purchasing power. It is argued that the cut in May. 1931, reduced purchasing power back - tc January, 1930 —an obviously untrue statement, yet constantly repeated. These facts can be easily ascertained, and must be known to those who misrepresent them for political purposes. Such' tactics are evidence of a weak case. —We are, etc., N.Z. Welfare League. November 1.