POLITICAL TACTICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22723, 8 November 1935, Page 4

POLITICAL TACTICS

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —It is a well-known practice, especially at elections, to tell a lie and keep on repeating it, never mind how often it is exposed. Democrat candidates seem to favour this practice. They repeat the untruth that the “ policy of the Government is dictated by three academic gentlemen.” Now the truth has been widely published, but I assume the lie will go on its way unchecked. The truth is that three expert economists have been called in to collect facts and discuss the effect of certain proposals. They in no way dictate or direct the policy. Their facts and opinions are given, and the decision rests with the Government. Many business concerns when up against adverse conditions call in expert advisers, and the directors then decide to follow or reject that advice. Another daily repeated untruth is that our exchange policy is a breach of the Ottawa agreement. It has been authoritatively stated again and again that the Ottawa Conference definitely left it to each dominion and to England to manage their currency matters as they wished, complete freedom of action being afforded subject only to any international currency decisions. Truth may be misleading if it is misused, and this is sometimes worse than a straight-out untruth. This is another Democrat fault. This party’s candidates mention 58,000 unemployed in September, 1935, as compared with 48,000 in September, 1931. Why not point to September, 1933, when the number was 74,000, now reduced to 58,000? This, of course, would not suit their book. Speaking generally, I cannot for the life of me see how the Democrats think they can better our position by undoing and reversing a policy which-has brought about a balanced Budget. Here wo have a certain result, business is improving, revenue is buoyant, public debt is not increased. The Democrats propose to reverse all this—to unbalance our Budget by increased expenditure and reduced taxation, and increase our borrowing by £20,000,000. In my opinion we should be fools to try a new medicine when we have proof that the old (but nasty) medicine is working a definite cure.—l am, etc., True Bill.