POLITICS AND PROBLEMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 239, 8 October 1932, Page 13

POLITICS AND PROBLEMS.

"Progress" in your issue of September 30 is, with other writers, banging the big drum of Liberalism, and talks of the "near menace of Socialism and its accompanying disaster." Is it not time that the intelligent enthusiasts of politics opened their eyes a bit wider? Surely we are all sick of these wretched labels. We are living in glorious and heroic days, and although the affairs of the world are like a jigsaw puzzle, a great change is taking place, and events of great import are happening. The need to-day is for strong men of vision and long-sightedness; also we require men who are great enough to become, if necessary, martyrs. The party game, like the financial game, has been weighed in the balance and found wanting. Measures are required that will give happiness and stability to us all. The policy of the future must be national, not class nor party, and the good of all members of the community must be assured. Financial and vested interests have had too much power, and the results are what we notice today. As I have previously stated, through your columns, let the Government be by men of integrity, having no axe to grind, but whole-hearted for the benefit and prosperity of New Zealand. The whole political machine should be overhauled and brought up to date. There should be a national board of directors, not more than twelve persons. The Departments should be overhauled, and all surplus labour, clerical and otherwise, cut out. Let the Government be a Government and allow full freedom of speech and Press. Let all the hotheads ramp and rave on the soap box; it acts as a safety valve; and as to our creditors, let the Government tell them that they will be paid in full, but, ill future, the nation will not be doing business with moneylenders at exorbitant interest. The outlook does not appear bright, but there are two movements in the British Empire that send beams of light through the present chaotic darkness. One is the numerous groups of students of currency and social credit systems and proposals. Notably the proposals of Major Douglas are being discussed and debated •throughout the Empire. ' Here is the opportunity to study bridging the gap between poverty and revolution, and prosperity and happiness. The other beam of light is also practically a new movement—Toe H. This movement, with its lamp of maintenance and its code of self-sacrifice in helping others, is also spreading throughout the world. In these times of stress and strain these two beacon lights shine clearly, and they bring to our notice that great commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." MAECUS JAMES.