EX-JUDGE DENOUNCES THE GOVERNMENT

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1935, Page 8

EX-JUDGE DENOUNCES THE GOVERNMENT

SIR A. HERDMAN. CALLED TO ACTION EXPERIENCED MEN. STRIKING STATEMENT. CANDIDATE FOB PAKNELL. Acceptance of nomination for the Parnell scat at the coming general election was to-day made by Sir Alexander Herdman, who yesterday retired from the Supreme Court Bench. Upwards of 150 electors waited upon Sir Alexander as a deputation in the Chamber of Commerce, this afternoon. Mr. J. B. Paterson was in the chair.

As leader of the deputation, Mr. Paterson referred to the number of years Parnell had been held by Reform, and remarked that all that he could say about it to-day was that it was "deform." Sir Alexander had had a notable career in Parliament, at the bar and as a judge of the Supreme Court. Yesterday's farewell gatherings of the legal profession showed the high esteem in which he was held. Men of high. character, experience and ability were needed in the Parliament of New Zealand and he had no hesitation in requesting Sir Alexander to allow himself to be nominated for the Parnell seat. "I thank you for the honour that you have done me in inviting me to offer myself as a candidate at the next ae'neral election," said Sir Alex. I shall not 'waste your valuable tune by making a lengthy speech at this stage, and I shall at oiice reply to your invitation by stating that I accept it. 'Duty To The Country. , "The ' prospect of taking part again in a political contest with all its unpleasantnesses and, perhaps, its indignities, is by no means alluring. Until recently little did I dream that I would return "to the political field, but, having observed closely the progress of events durin"- recent years, I have come to the conclusion that it is my duty to offer to help the country in which I have spent all my life and to which I owe everything. "I hope that, by taking this action, I may induce serious-minded and experienced men to place their services at the disposal of Xew Zealand. "You will, of course, wish to know what my attitude will be towards existing political parties. In a few sentences I can make my position perfectly clear. lam definitely opposed to the policy of the Labour party. Its doctrines have never been approved by me, nor have its actions. lam sure, lursrever, that there are thousands of thoughtful and hard-working men in the communtiy who see as clearly as I do that Communism and Socialism lead in the end to unhappiness and disaster."

Opposed to Present Leaders. Next you will ask me: But what about the political party controlled by Messrs. Forbes and Coates? To that question my answer is that I shall do my utmost to remove these gentlemen from office as speedily as possible. As men I hold them both in high respect, but in these days personal likes must be subordinated to the interests of New Zealand.

"My* reasons for opposing the administration of Mr. Forbes I shall make known in detail on another occasion. "In the meantime I need say no more than this: that while I believe that Messrs. Forbes and Coates have in the performance of their public duties been animated by the highest motives, they have, in my judgment, committed errors which, have resulted in serious harm being done to New Zealand. Indeed, I know of no Government which in the history of this Dominion lias done more to shatter public confidence, which has done more to upset tried and longestablished commercial practice, and which, has done more to arouse feelings of unrest, bitterness and injustice, than the Government of which these gentlemen are the leaders. "No doubt you will be told by fainthearted citizens that if you don't support the Government in office, Labour will take charge.'

"An appeal will be made to you to support the adulterated Socialism of Messrs. Forbes and Coates, in order that you may avoid a more potent mixture which may be provided by Messrs. Savage and Nash. My reply to that is that I don't for a moment believe that the result anticipated by the pessimists will be realised, and I say this: 'Why have advanced Socialism at all?' "Why seek refuge from the militant creed of Labour by sheltering behind the erratic and unsettling political habit* of Messrs. Forbes and Coates, when there may be offered to you,'as an alternative, proposals for the" government of New Zealand which are not revolutionary, but which, on the contrary, are sound and wise? ■•>■■"

"I appeal to you to pay little heed to the. citizen who dislikes taking his coat off to fight the evils of Socialism, and I pray.you-to bear in mind that there is little* to distinguish the Socialism of Messrs. Forbes and Coates from the Socialism of the Labour party. Am I invited to believe that New Zealand has come to such a pass that there cannot be found in it a sufficient number of earnest, courageous and determined men and women prepared to make some sacrifice in order that 'the Augean stables may be cleansed' and good government established? Surely not.' "Waste, Extravagance, High Taxes." "I refuse to come to the ■conclusion that New Zealand has so degenerated as; to be destitute of the necessary material. I put this to you too: When you are considering a proposal tha£ of two evils; you should choose the lesser, consider what-such a proposal involves. If the! lnesent Government lie firmly estab-1 lishecl in office for another term and continues its dangerous practices what may that mean? It may mean that for, anotter four years you will have to' endure .waste, extravagance and burdenBorne taxation, that for 'Another four years there may be a continuance of the arbitrary interference with your lawful rights, and another four years of the «™ f thC I,olHieal manipulation of exchange creates. Li

"It may mean another four years during which a now cvop of boards will l>o created, a fresh assortment of Royal Commissions provided, and in which we niav witness another series of wellpatronised excursions to the Old Country. I feel certain that when the whole truth is known it will be found tliiit Mr. Coates in his negotiations with the British Government lias accomplished little or nothing-.

"By our policy, in particular, on the exchange question, we have antagonised the British manufacturer, who is placed at a disadvantage because of the exchange, and the British farmer, who objects to our subsidised products being dumped on his market. I believe that if we wholeheartedly co-operate with Britain instead of arousing her unfriendliness we will be able to make such equitable arrangements with her as will raise the price levels of our products and secure a free market which can be kept permanently open as against other countries which give artificial bounties. "Prepared to Fight Alone." "I have said all that I need say at present,"' concluded Sir Alexander. '"I am perfectly free. If a band of men shall arise holding views on public questions similar to those held by me we can act in concert. If no such band arises 1 shall curry on the light alone. I live in hopes that, as a result of the coming election, the clouds which hang over Xew Zealand at present will lift and that the weight which is crushing and disheartening this little country will be removed. lam hoping that a way will be opened up for the liberal investment of capital, for the development of our natural industries, for activity in trade, and for a greater demand for labour. If this can be achieved happiness will soon follow." The meeting closed with cheers for the candidate and steps were immediately taken to form election committees.