'LITTLE TO CHOOSE'

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 216, 12 September 1935, Page 9

'LITTLE TO CHOOSE'

DUAL SOCIALISM.

SIR A. HERDMAN'S ATTACK.

HON. T. BLOODWOETH REPLIES

<By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Keportor.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday

Reference to the advent of Sir Alexander Herdman into the political arena was made in the Legislative Council to-day by the Hon. T. Bloodworth.

"Some few days ago,' , said Mr. Bloodworth, "a gentleman in Auckland stepped from the Supreme Court Bench and next day became one of the most severe critics of the Government. This gentleman had been a judge for many years and was held in high esteem by the people of the Dominion, and particularly by the people of Auckland. If it so happened that the Government had to go before the judges of the Supreme Court to answer for its actions it would seem that the Government of the day would not have received a very laudatory sentence from tlie gentleman to whom I have referred."

The Hon. F. Waitc (Otago): Do you think it would have pot a fair sentence?

Mr. Bloodworth: Well. 1 do not think this gentleman wan very fair and I think we must fake note of what ho said, because of the high position he occupied in the community.

After quoting the speech made by Sir Alexander Herdman, Mr. Bloodworth said: '"Those were the words used in criticism of the Government by a gentleman who only the day before had been a judge of the Supreme Court. ,, The Hon. R. Masters (Minister of Industries and Commerce): That is why he did not know anything about it.

Mr. Bloodworth "said probably that was so, but a number of prominent citizens had applauded his remarks, and it was evident that there was by no moans unanimity of approval of the Government's actions among people occupying high places." - A Member: He spoke against Labour a,s well, and more so.

Mr. Bloodworth: Quite f>o. He said there is little to choose between the socialism of Messrs. Forbes and Coatee and the socialism of the Labour party. As I have said, I do not think this is correct. Mr. Masters: Was anything in Ins statement correct 2

Mr. Blood worth: I will show as I proceed what I think was correct and what was extravagant. Mr. Masters: TTc was correct where you agree with him. Mr. Bloodworth replied that tho actions of the Government had been an endeavour in difficult times, but not by means of socialism in preserve the. capitalists' State. Those, endeavours bad led not in the direction of a cooperative commonwealth, which meant socialism, but in the direction of the corporate State, which meant Fascism. The measures of the Government had not been such ns to ensure the general benefit of the community.