LEADERSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 7

LEADERSHIP.

EMPIRE'S NEED TO-DAY "WHY STAND LOOKING ON?" IDEAL FOR NEW ZEALAND. "At Home, political traditions and beliefs have gone into the melting pot," said Mr. F. W. Doidgc in an .address given at a luncheon gathering of the Auckland Grammar School Old Boys' Association to-day. The luncheon, which was given in Milne and Choyce's reception hall, was largely attended. "Never in its history did the nation more desperately need great leader*, said Mr. Doidge. "Never has governance rested in the hands of such mediocrities. Small wonder that the- people of Britain are disillusioned and apathetic. Small wonder that there is a growing discontent with constitutional methods and democratic forms of government." It was disconcerting to sense a similar trend of public opinion in Australia and New Zealand. "Would the grept men of the past have led us more wisely through these troublesome times?" asked Mr. Doidge. "Would a Ballance, a Seddon, a Pember Reeves or a Ward nave steered a clearer course?" Does the,, personnel of the present New Zealand Parliament fall short of what it was in the days of my youth J Are there in the present House of Representatives no W. H. Herries, no George Laurensons, no Tommy Taylors, no Ells, no Herdmans? There were many brilliant men in the New Zealand Parliament when I first knew it from the Press gallery. George Forbes had at that time just arrived, a rather incoherent young man from Hurmiui, and Gordon Coates was making his first acquaintance with the inside of a Ministerial office, as a member of the road board, deputation from the Otamatea. "Whose Fault Is It?" "Here, as in other parts of the Empire, there is a lack of confidence in Parliamentary institutions. And that brings me to a point I desire most earnestly to make. If the fabric of civilisation is crashing, if the world is heading to destruction, why stand by helplessly looking on? Never has there been a greater need for putting everything aside for the common weal. If leaders lack inspiration and ideals; if Imperialism and patriotism are old-fashioned and forgotten words, whose fault is that? There is a disposition to eschew politics; to treat them with contempt. We cannot afford to do that. "New Zealand could show the way to the Empire in more directions than one. In the old days men like Pember Reeves and Edward Tregear would have been almost glad of such an opportunity of showing the rest of the world what bold I leadership and experimental legislation can do. In the past New Zealand has led the world in experimental legislation, and it can be done again. An Experimental Ground. "Can you not visualise Edward Tregear, were lie New Zealand's representative at the coining World Economic Conference, presenting a bold and spectacular plan? Would he not argue that the Dominion offers an ideal experimental ground? This is-a small, self-con-tained country, rich beyond any other country in natural resources. Its problems, in miniature, are a replica of the problems of the rest of the world. .It has 00,000 unemployed. Let the nations pool their ideas. If a plan for reconstruction can be devised, let New Zealand be chosen as the ground for that experiment. Give us the idea, and subsidise its exploitation. We' have the administrative ability and the men. "In the past our successful experiments with social legislation have been adopted by Britain, and other countries," concluded Mr. Doidge. "Why not experiment now, which may ensure widespread peace and prosperity? It may be a Utopian. H. G. Wellsian idea! Of 'course it is. But I have no doubt many suggestions less practical will absorb the attention of the coming conference. "Our immediate concern is the development of a deeper sense of responsibility, and I would urge that now. as never before, is it the duty of men such as those comprising my' audience to take politics seriously, and not to view with nonchalance their duties as citizens of New Zealand."