LOST LEADERSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27096, 2 June 1949, Page 8

LOST LEADERSHIP

Sir _ Your correspondent “ Filius Popull” seems to have developed a penchant for thinking aloud, for. his efforts seem to have drawn a blank so far, so I will respond if only to give him something to nibble at. His effort reminds me of the old Tory trick of boosting up toe “ outs ’’ at the expense of the “ ins (Parliament). His high moralising about the virtues of so-called Tory statesmanship of the past reads like wishful thinking. He was careful to deal with high-sounding generalities only,. which is rather meaningless on toe face of it. When he endeavours to belittle the present Government and its efforts to stabilise conditions in this country, does he pause to consider the condition in this country four or five years after the close of World War I "(Tory Government) with the present similar period after World War II If so. does he not recollect there was a growing army of unemployed throughout this country which was steadily rising to colossal numbers. Farmers were walking off their farms in large numbers all over the country businesses were going bankrupt in ever-increasing numbers, wages were being reduced everywhere, and. if it were not for the Christian-like attitude of the various churches and other patriotic and whole-souled citizens in organising food and clothing depots there would have been many hungry and half-clqtoed women and children in this fair land. I simply ask your correspondent with the high-sounding pen name to remember these things and compare them, with the prosperity in this land to-day before he so glibly derides the present Government's successful efforts to better the lot of the average New Zealand citizen.—l am, etc.. Bill.