THE EDITOR AND THE IMP.

White Ribbon, Volume 41, Issue 488, 18 May 1936, Page 4

THE EDITOR AND THE IMP.

So. iii> Chief, you have been listenmgiii to our Parliamentary leaders, as well •us sitting in the I*iess Gallery. What do you think »»!' oui new legislation? That is not euril.' answered off-hand It is introducing some radical changes, which only experience can decide as to t ieir advantage. In an> ease, the new laws will want to lie watched. I suppose the women will watch carefully, an<l see whether the measures ar good for the majority? 1 hope they will do so. One thing is that wages and conditions will lie better for relief workers. That is so, my Imp, and for that we must all be thankful. Oo you think children were underfed or starved? No; 1 do not think under-nourishment was caused by relief wages. But the health authorities spoke of a large percentage of children underfed. Yes. and many of them were in homes w here there is no scarcity of food, but unsuitable food was given.. I believe that clothing, shelter and many things were impossible on relief wages, but nourishing food is cheap. Milk and cereals are not dear, and they art ver\ nourishing; also meat for soups and stews is not costly. But this is not much choice. I agree with you that their diet was not varied, and rejoice that things ar* to he better. What do you think of the 40-hour week ? It should work alright. When tinweekly compulsory half-holiday was introduced. many big firms prophesied tin ruin of all trade, but few’ would revert to the old order. What about guaranteed prices? That is v«r> experimental legislation. I have heard and read all that the Minister of Finance has had to say. but upon one point he is very silent. What is that? Ahc.*t the mnne\. eh? Just so, m> Imp. What did Mr Coates mean by ratline it the Primary Products Pirating Bill?

I >id he think the Ministers were like pirates? I expect he did. You see, the Government are to own ail the primary products and pay for them a fixed price as soon us they are on boat'd ship. That is good for the farmers, is it not? It might Ihj, but at present the Minister is very vague about paying. Where is the money to come from? From the Reserve Bank. Is the Government to have unlimited ciedit at this Bank? Yes! The sky is the limit, as on* put it. The Minister said if there was a deficit it would be tin* responsibility of the Government. What does that mean? i think it means that the taxpayer will have to find the money. Phew! That's some big order if prices overseas go down as they have been doing r . But is there no other way? Yes; if funds are not sufficient, the> may create money, and that will nn-an that our country’s credit will be lowered and other countries will not accept our money at its face value. Our Government cannot control overseas prices, can they? Certainlj not. They can pay farmers the price fixed on. but if the goods do not fetch that price in the world’s market, then they must find the mone> somewhere. Don't you think it's a good Bill, then, my Editor? I wouldn’t like to give an opinion yet. It is an entirely new system, and it seems to me that it wants more safeguards. I'm not fond of a dictatorship. We have a King, not a Dictator, haven’t we? Our Empire lias a King, hut this legislation looks as if we are going to have several Dictators. Muc h power is being given to Ministers, and though they are good men, they are not angels. Well, if it benefits the weaker ones and the poor, it will do some good. fust so! and meanwhile we’ll defer this discussion until another time. I>et us wait and see. And so to business now.