MR WEBB AGAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24448, 6 November 1940, Page 11

MR WEBB AGAIN

ro THE EDITOR Sir,—As Mr Webb is in the news, the time seems opportune to draw attention- to a statement he made in Parliament in support of another privileged section. He stated that watersiclers’ wages in the United Kingdom were something like 8s to 10s per hour for handling apples and other classes of cargo. Other members must have been- dreaming when they did not question London Authority representative .in, Australia states that the latest rate of which he has advice is Is 7d per hour; and he cannot conceive of the rates mentioned by Mr Webb even for overtime rates during ’ bank holiday period! What has Mr Webb to say to this?— I am. etc.. True Bill.

TO THE EDITOR,

Sir,—Politicians in general, and Socialists: in particular, have not at any time been renowned for their candour. Therefore, it would be too much to expect of them to use the words ..“British Empire” during' war-time when they can convey the same message in a more subtle way with the words “capitalist system.” While, the terms “ capitalist system ” and “ British Empire ” are anything but synonymous unfortunately they have been accepted as such for many years by almost 100 per cent, of Socialist supporters, and, I believe, by all Communist supporters, and certainly by the undesirable, disruptionist element in our midst. For years I have heard these gentry preaching that, in order to rid the world of capitalism, they must first get rid of the British Empire, Hence the enthusiasm of a portion of the West Coast audience for Mr Webb’s addresses. Were these members of Mr Webb's audiences asked what were their impressions of the addresses and if they answered truthfuly. I am confident that they would state that they looked upon them as prophesying the end of the Empire as an essential step towards their ultimate goal, the abolition of capitalism. If your Mosgiel correspondent interprets Mr Webb’s addresses to mean that he is looking forward to the, day when all money, financial institutions, property, newspaper slaves, coal raining business, racehorse stud . farm ownership, carrying businesses, and fat salaries are abolished, then the Minister can certainly claim that intone case at any rate—in that of Mr F. R. Hall—he was “not understood.”—l am, etc,, Vigilant! November 4. , :