THE NATIONAL PARTY.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20271, 13 August 1937, Page 9

THE NATIONAL PARTY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Since Mr Kenah has such a rooted dislike to controversy with an opponent who uses a nom de plume, I trust that he will agree to take up with me the debate upon unemployment, which I have followed closely and with considerable Interest. As a commencement I would like from Mr Kenah a little elucidation on two matters. The first is his statement: “I advocate wages being reduced to a level that will cause employment.” Not so long ago the National Party took it upon themselves to reduce wages. They also saw to it that relief workers received a pittance, barely sufficient for subsistence. Unless Mr Kenah can show that, this action caused employment, then his whole 'case for lower wages falls to the ground.

Everyone must admit that the National Party when in office made well-meaning but perhaps misguided efforts to solve the unemployment problem; in fact, their efforts in this direction frequently bordered on the ludicrous. But Mr Kenah has stated that "this country is simply screaming out for work to be done,” and he denies that the use of machinery is a oause of unemployment. If this is so. then I ask Mr Kenah how he Justifies the actions of his party in deliberately allowing machinery to lie idle and In putting men to work (not always necessary work) with picks, shovels, and wheel-barrows. —I am, etc.,

G. HUNTER. Horsham Do\vns, August 11.