ELECTION AFTERTHOUGHTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27296, 24 January 1950, Page 6

ELECTION AFTERTHOUGHTS

Sir, —Mr MacManus appears to be suffering from a political complex which makes him disinclined to give credit for the'good legislation brought down by the Tory and Liberal Governments in the past. He attempts to propagate the story that social advancement and humanitarianism are Labour Party monopolies, and were, in fact, fields of human endeavour invented, pioneered and development by pundits of trades hall origin. Also, Mr MacManus and “ Old Timer ” would like us to believe that prior to the election, of a Labour Government, half New Zealand lived by battening sadistically on to their brothers and kinsmen, and that the Labour Party super-statesmen stepped in, set things right, introduced social justice and a new “ Heaven-on-earth,” and then stepped out again. Well, some people might swallow that, but sensible people merely smile at it. The fact that Labour, with 14 years of record prices for our exports, could do nothing to improve the lot of the old people in Talboys Home speaks for itself. X would remind “ Old Timer” that 30 bankruptcies were- recorded last year in Wellington. I wonder how many would have walked out ruined if Labour had been in control during the depression years? I know from personal experience what happened in New Zealand under a Tory Government, and what happened in Australia under a Labour Government, and I thanked God that the muddlers were not given the v chance to bring us down to the level in hardships the Australians endured during the depression years. I would also remind “ Old Timer ” that in preLabour days most family men deemed it their duty, and felt it an honour, to provide sustenence for their families without leaning on the State. If Old Timer’s ” standard of living is based on shortages in goods and living in hovels, then we have it as seen through Labour eyes.—l am, etc., Matilda.

Sir, —In your issue of January 18, " Labourite ” evidently believes that a millenium can be brought about by heavv taxation and the reckless, spendthrift squandering of the public funds. He will yet learn that the "scatter-cash” policy brings its own retribution to Governments as to private individuals. I heartily endorse what "A Worker ” wrote some weeks back —namely, that he will 1 be quite satisfied if, at the end of three years, Mr Holland has been able to evolve order out of chaos. —I am, etc., * Ivon A. Borton.