Staggering Figures.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 233, 1 October 1931, Page 8

Staggering Figures.

To the Editor. Dear Sir, —During the presidential address of Mr V. E. Hamilton l»efore the Canterbury Employers’ Association, figure and facts as given by him must have a staggering effect upon businessmen and others. He states that we have exceeded our income by £62,000,000. and that we have in addition a decreased liability of SO per cent regarding our exports, whilst our national debt has increased by £9,000.000. He further states that exports total £33,000,000 and from this slim income 1,600,000 must provide £28.000,000 per year to meet their responsibilities to their public service. It must be borne in mind we pay 6d for our 3d registration and 2d for our Id stamps and many other solid items which are hard to bear, and yet we find these astounding truths prevalent. We are slowly beginning to realise who do really benefit from our labours. It is not the businessman, the worker, the housewife, a future for the boy. etc. One thing is truly certain—New Zealand cannot hold out for long on these lines. They are most disastrous. Our exports are our life, and if any administration does not foster our exports and assist the producers we might as well be without them. Let u? take our hats off to Mr V. E. Hamilton and thank him for his information.—l am, etc., ROBERT E. COOMBES.