THE DEPRESSION.

Southland Times, Issue 25307, 10 June 1935, Page 5

THE DEPRESSION.

To the Editor. Sir, —In Monday’s issue of the Times there appeared a statement of the financial position of the Unemployment Board. Referring to the decision to provide winter comforts for the unemployed, the Minister of Employment, the Hon. S. G. Smith ,is reported to have said, “The considerations mentioned are of direct importance to those whose normal avenues of employment have not yet re-opened after the depression.” Mr Smith does not say when the depression ended; but the whole beastly business could not have lasted long, for you, Sir, stated recently, that it did not properly get the nips in until 1932. I was under the impression that the present Government was put in to end the depression, but if the worst effects were not felt until sometime after it took office and ended when it is about to go out, we may be pardoned for blaming it for the whole trouble. We may -well rejoice that although of short duration it is over, but rejoicing is marred by the knowledge that we have been kept with our noses to the grindstone after the need has passed. The Minister commented upon the good work done by the inspectors in ferreting out new sources of revenue from individual taxpayers. Politicians must have their little jokes, but to sool the dogs, J mean inspectors, on to us who are tightening our belts, scratching to pay our levies, producing i ore and consuming less, knowing that tLe blizzard is over, is, I should say, carrying a joke too far.—l am, etc. J ZERO. [There is a difference between the beginning of the depression and the arrival of its full force. The “depression” is not yet passed, but the movement is upward.—Ed. S.T.]