MR LEE'S SPEECH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23886, 14 August 1939, Page 11

MR LEE'S SPEECH

TO THE EDITOR

Sir,—We have been told that "The Children of the Poor" is the story of Mr J. A. Lee's own early life. After reading his latest effort in Parliament, one is forced to the conclusion that time and success have made very little difference to the man himself. His speech sounded frankly disruptive, and the only apparent reason for all the spleen is the fact that Mr Montagu Norman has failed to knuckle down to our Labour Government. It is more astonishing still that there are evidently many people who think the Labour Government is simply marvellous because it has enforced higher wages and shorter working hours. What a pity these people cannot think of their country instead of themselves! It Is said that Mr Adam Hamilton would reduce wages. Well, he will be jolly lucky if that is all he has to do when he is cleaning up the Labour Government's mess. These Labour supporters ignor the

enormous rise in costs. They do not appear to care whether New Zealand preserves its honour or not. They show no sympathy for the farmers or taxpayers, and none for the business men who are spending half their time between bank and Customs offices, trying to get licences and money to carry on business. Nothing matters in this wide world except the glorious 40-hour week and high wages. *• It is significant that there has not been even a suggestion that the guaranteed price might be dropped, and that an intelligence test may be applied to civil servants. What is behind it all? The other very interesting piece of news has been the fact that there has been about £2,00,000 unauthorised expenditure in the Government. These facts, however, will probably be passed over by the people who enjoy the 40-hour week and high wages.—l am, etc., Union Jack.