GETTING DOWN TO FACTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1931, Page 2

GETTING DOWN TO FACTS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,-Last night I heard axi appeal from the Mayor of AVellington over the wireless. People in general have no idea that in a country like this there could be people starving. Now, why is it ? If things arc so bad it should not be hard to at least find something for people to eat. IVhy cannot something in the way of soup kitchens be started? There are at the present time hundreds of quite healthy cows going to the works at from 35s to 50s, for boneless beef. I feel sure that they could be bought cheaply, as after hides, tongues and fat had been taken away the meat woiild, with potatoes at present quoted pi ice, 27s 6d on rail, South Island, and onions cheap too, feed quite a lot of people cheaply. Of course the meat would be subject to Government inspection. Anyhow it is pretty clear something has to be done, and even in Hawera things aie not too good. However, this is only a suggestion. There is another thing that, fo my mind, ought to be given some thought. With all the reductions,, why should not the rents of shops in towns come down a. bit! It really means at present that, people living on*rents and mortgages are better off, as living is coming down and they get the benefit of the lower living costs to a certain extent at expense of the workers. It may be said that Parliament would have no right +c>- interfere in that case, but if it has the right to interferen in wages, etc., and reduce, why should it not have power to reduce rents and interest. A mans work represents his capital instead of money, so where is the difference! Of course that would apply to farm lands as well. Farmers’ returns can be put down’ at 40 to 50 per cent, reduction. Now is the time to take it in hand The reception our loan got at the hands of the public is a good warning that we cannot go on borrowing money, and the whole thing is that we must all share the burden. But it is not fair that one makes a reduction and another does not. 1 I know several instances where a man has reduced to his people, yet he owes on first mortgage himself and he gets-nothing. It wants a better head than mine to work' it out. Still there it is, something has to be done.— I am, etc., OLD FARMER.