AFTER THREE YEARS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23717, 26 January 1939, Page 14

AFTER THREE YEARS

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —“Elector" in Saturday’s Times endeavour's still to support a tottering Government and draws our attention to the number of votes cast in favour of Labour at last election, 513,403, which means that 513,403 poor misguided electors had the wool pulled over their eyes by our amateur Prime Minister. I say “amateur” because he has proved himself to be that in every department. Very early in his position as Prime Minister he made a public statement somewhat to the effect that he could increase wages and shorten hours and not allow the cost of living to go up. Anyone could say that, but the head of our Government should know better. A 10 per cent, increase in railway charges is a direct answer to this; and also many other increases. The fact of the matter, is that the Government is forced into this position of restricting imports. There were three things they could do in view of their reckless legislation over the last three years—inflate New Zealand currency, raise the exchange to 40 per cent., or else restrict imports—and, of course, the same plan of wool-pulling- was adopted because they could give it out it was their great insulation plan and

they must do something to help along New Zealand industries. But 404.288 electws are not blind. Ministers are running over the country telling us now that men must work and: New Zealand must produce; this after,three years of stifling, production,' and Mr Webb is going to tear, the West _ Coast up with, powerful machinery so as to increase production, and swamp in the North Island must be brought into production. All the tune thousands of acres of second and third class land have gone to the pack all over New Zealand directly owing to Labour’s policy, and the farmers can see they are fighting a losing game against Labour and have lost heart. Why does the Minister of Public V/orks say that men must now. leave public works and go back to the farms and do their seasonal work? Because he wants to assist the farmer or because he has not the money to pay them?

Elector wants to sit down with 513,403 other electors and have a plain think for himself. We all know the depression . was a bitter experience, but I ask him: Was there anything to guide our legislators at that period? Yes there was a Labour Government m England and a Labour Government in Australia, and under a Labour Government in Australia the people were far worse off than in New Zealand, hundreds living on the banks of rivers, scavenging for, what they could pick up; and the country nearly brought to rum. To-day in New Zealand we are going to be no betteroff than we were in the depression, with taxation increasing by leaps and hounds, while savings will have to be confiscated to: meet this public works loan, and this after we had tightened our belts and. come-through the depression.; in a royal. position* 'to go; up with the tide!', What, do we find the Labour Party has done, in plain language, for three years? They have gone downhill with the pin out..and now they find-themselves on the rocks and have to insulate New Zealand by restricting iriiports arid raising rail freight 10 per cent.—l; am, etc., ' ' One Who Did Not Vote Them In.