The Christchurch Star SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1932. THE WIDER CUT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 365, 5 March 1932, Page 8

The Christchurch Star

SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1932. THE WIDER CUT.

PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd.

KEEN and conflicting argument is certain when Parliament proceeds to discuss some of the more controversial subjects referred to in the report of the special Economic Committee. Emphasis is placed, for instance, on the view that there should be a reduction of a further 10 per cent in wages, and this clause, it is significant to note, is accompanied by another to the effect that a reduction of 20 per cent in fixed money claims would make a substantial and equitable contribution towards bridging the gap between costs and selling prices. “ Except in cases where concessions have already been granted, recipients of fixed incomes have actually benefited from the fall in prices,” contend the economists. “An adjustment of fixed incomes, . whether by means of a special levy or reduction in such incomes, would not impose undue hardship upon the recipients.”

It is a coincidence that, on the same day as this report was released, another group of New Zealand economists should issue what is, to all intents and purposes, a definite though unofficial plan for the economic and financial rehabilitation of the Dominion, similar in some respects to the Copland Plan as put forward and adopted in Australia. Here again, in what may be called the Belsliaw Plan, is the emphatic insistence that any further cut in wages and salaries should be accompanied by a reduction in interest rates, rents and other fixed charges—“ to reduce wages further without a reduction in fixed incomes would be an inequity which should not be supported for a moment.” The subject is one of the widest importance, full of difficulty, we admit, but Cabinet has received the view's of the experts and must now act in the matter, one way or another. “ IF WISHES WERE HORSES. ■ .” 'T'HIS IS THE DAY of accepting those things which we do not want, and of doing without those things which we do want. We do not want lower wages, we do not w r ant a reduction in fixed charges, we do not W’ant a smaller return on our investments. And we do want plenty of money for everybody, plenty of work, plenty of profitable production. But some perverse and obscure influence, vaguely known as the economic depression, has decreed otherwise. Despite all that has been said and written about it in the past year or so, the average man knows very little about that depression. He knows only that it is unpleasant and that it is causing him all sorts of ills and apprehensions. He knows, too, that nothing that has been achieved so far has brought any appreciable alleviation. Will the latest specifics of the economists work the cure? He does not know. All he knows is that he is rather in the position to-day that he was in when he .was a very small child, and badly wanted the moon to play with—but could not have it. AN ARMY IN THE KITCHEN. 'TXZHILE Royalty is crusading at ” * the British Industries Fair for recruits to fight the battle of increased trade, the organiser of the Union of British Housewives contemplates an army with banners in the kitchen—an army, inspired by the objects of the Buy British Movement to contribute to the running of the union. “ The Empire’s salvation lies in the hands of its women,” he proclaims. The British workers have ever been very tolerant of soul-stirring stuff, and their wives no doubt have consequently the saving sense of humour, but a union to lead women to Empire products is rather superfluous, except to the few who would live on the virtues of others. Price and quality are the parents of advertisement, but for the best results the manufacturers themselves should tell the world what they have to offer. It is they who can most feelingly persuade the women what their products are.