“Living Within Your Income.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 373, 15 March 1932, Page 6

“Living Within Your Income.”

To the Editor. Dear Sir, —Your editorial on the above would have suited present-day conditions better if it had been headed 44 Living without an income.” Never before in the history of New Zealand have we had such an avalanche of super-intelligents, who are only too willing to show us the way out of all our troubles. It’s amazing the acumen they possess in dealing with other people's affairs,* but they must be careful that in trying to balance the budget they do not become unbalanced themselves.

And that reminds me, Mr Editor, when the first 10 per cent cut was suggested, I stated through the columns of this paper that a system of wage-slashing would be a dismal failure. If anyone has any doubts left let them ask the retailers, shopkeepers and others what benefit they received from the 10 per cent cut, and I think everyone would like to know where it went. Did the Government receive it? Certainly not. Did the cost of living come down? Ask the housewives. If I were Sherlock Holmes I would tell my friend Watsotl that there are some very unscrupulous persons in this country who have had money presented them and that they not only kept it, but are looking forward to the next lot. The bogeyman of unemployment cannot be solved by economic commissions. It will never get any better if we continue to injure the home market through further wage reductions. The question arises whether the men in charge of the country’s affairs are the right men for the job. Are they willing to tell the people the truth? I make bold to say this unemployed question could be solved to-day, and every man, woman and child could be kept off the bread line. There is more wealth in New Zealand than there ever was. Production of food supplies has never been greater. There’s ample for everybody and work for everyone. I ask you, Mr Editor, let us stop this tinkering with the question. Away with these hypocritical humbugs, w’ho are a menace to this country’s welfare.—T am, etc.. SOCRATES.

The 44 Star ” has had no editorial on the subject.—Ed., 44 Star.”