NEW ZEALAND’S WEALTH.

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 36, 12 February 1937, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND’S WEALTH.

(To the Editor.)

yir,—Your article on the above subject calls for a little comment. From a theoretical point of view your figures may be all right, but in practice they do not exist. Rome was wealthy, but what did it avail to the average citizen? And wo are in the same position to-day. You state that an average man of working age earns about £0 a week. J have been an efficient tradesman this last thirty years with good health and have been moderate in all my modes of living, but my average over those years would not be anywhere near tli.e present basis of £6 per week. What is of more importance is how the wealth is actually shared in New Zealand. I am not of an envious nature and would be quite content if the system allowed me to earn enough to keep my family and self in the necessities of life in conformity with this age. What about the others who are worse off than myself, and they are in the majority. You state that if more is wanted we must produce more. To produce more does not necessarily mean wo would be better off, because tho machine of production is not in the hands of the real producers. Our standard of living if it happens to be better than other countries should not be used as a comparison to make us feel thankful, seeing that the wealth is at our back doors and by a bit of intelligence we could be better off still. When are we going to wake up?—l am, etc., PRACTICAL. Feilding, Feb. 11., 1937.