POVERTY AMONG PLENTY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19485, 9 May 1933, Page 4

POVERTY AMONG PLENTY.

To the Editor of •• The Timaru Herald.” Sir, —“Deliberately to reduce production is a suggestion that probably causes anyone to pause,” Mr Coates is reported to have said. “It sounds revolutionary when we recall that so many in the world are going short; and it runs counter to all the moreproduction counsels that we have ever heard.” You permitted me, some time ago. to liken the more-produc-tionist to Mr Squeers of the one sharp eye. Now Squeers had a specimen decoy in Wackford junior. Exhibiting this specimen to Newman Noggs, he remarked: “He’s a fine boy. ain’t he?” To which Mr Noggs replied, '“Very.” “Pretty well swelled out, ain’t he?” pursued Squeers. “He has the fatness of twenty boys, he has.” “Ah.” replied Newman. “He has— I the fatness of twenty—more. He’s got it all. God help the others. Ha! ha! Oh Lord!” vrom which I infer that Master Wackford was not only a specimen decoy, but a thumping profit and reserve builder. That we have 70,000 Unemployed with their dependants absolutely short of the necessaries of life; that the law of the house to waste nothing, and to grudge nothing, is subordinated to a monetary system dictated by interests outside the confines of the country, forces the thought, how long will it be before the dawn of the treacle and brimstone morning, and the Dotheboys’ Hall system of economy pass away, and only be spoken of as among the things that have been? The Finance Minister throws no glimmer of light on the darkness enveloping so many in this country; who, given the means, could make our own market our best market and our own people our own best customers. “The possibilities by way of a purely monetary approach are severely limited.” Severely limited to relief societies—a most orthodox economic possibility. Speaking from his place in the House on the Finance Bill No. 4, the Member for Invercargill said he hoped the Minister would feel himself compelled to see to it that the workless were supplied with food, clothing, shelter, warmth, and, if possible, some pay. Feel himself compelled! And yet our produce is going begging in markets beyond our own shores! But apparently there is no limitation to monetary approaches for the satisfaction of a £27,000,000 loan funded in 1922, which has cost the country over £15,000,000 to date, and which still stands at over £24,000,000. against some of the workless whom the Member for Invercargill particularised. The possibilities by way of a purely monetary approach to satisfy the demands of money do not exist; but, as Ruskin puts it; “Ask for bread and you get stones—enough to keep you quiet.” Compelled is a good w r ord, a hopeful word.—l am, T. POWELL. Otaio, May 8.