PRODUCTION FAILURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26980, 15 January 1949, Page 8

PRODUCTION FAILURE

Sir, —Are the people of New Zealand becoming decadent under Socialistic government? “ Inquirer ” thinks not, and mentions the praise bestowed by a certain business man for the continued large volume of food exports to the Uniied Kingdom. According to figures quoted bv Mr J. T. Martin the volume of farm production has increased slightly during the past decade. Population has also increased slightly, but the number of workers on the land has declined considerably. This is a definite indication that the farmers are not decadent. Can the same be said for the rest of the community? More people than ever are engaged in secondary industries and in Government service Yet we are still suffering from shortages of many kinas, the cost of living . has increased about 100 per cent., taxation has become an almost intolerable burden, rail services are cut. all business ceases in the towns for two days a week, strikes-and stoppages ot work occur with frequency and for the most trivial of reasons, rapacious trade unions hold the country up to tan* som until the Government weakly submits to their demands. Farm production is the one bright spot in the national economy. It compares quite favourably with Australia, which nas a Socialist Government, but unfavourably with Canada and USA, under nor.-sociaiistic Governments. There is no doubt that food production could be enormously increased in New Zealand with a Government more favourably disposed towards farming ar.d with the co-operation of other sections of the people. I am quite aware that exploitation has existed in the past under capitalistic regimes, and this, as ” Inquirer ” states, has resulted in the growth of trade unionism and the eventual establishment of socialistic Governments. This does not excuse or condone the exploitation which is practised by the Labour Government in New Zealand to-day. I am unable to say whether Socialism or capitalism caused the last depression. Both forms of government showed an almost equal inability to handle it when depression hit the country. However, all Governments learn from the mistakes of their predecessors, and it is probable that when the next depression comes along whatever party is in power will make a slightly better job of dealing with’it.—l am. etc.. Loyalist.