FIGHT FOR IDEALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 243, 13 October 1936, Page 5

FIGHT FOR IDEALS.

INTENSE CONFLICT.

DEMOCRACY AWD RIGHT.

DICTATORSHIP SUPPRESSION.

J Frequent applause came from the crowded audience in the council chamber of the Town Hall last evening when the Hon. Walter _Na<sh, Minister of Finance and Marketing, delivered that part of his speech which he devoted to democracy and tiie rights of the individual. The speech was given in reply to speakers at a civic farewell. "The one thing that is apparent in the world to-day," said Mr. Nash, "is that there is a great fight between two conflicting ideals. I do not mean the fight between socialism and capitalism, which is inevitable. What I mean is tiie fight between dictatorship and domination on the one hand and democracy on the other. The conflict is intense, and 'solution of it is hard to find. Dictatorships such as those in Russia, Germany and Italy suppress the soul of every man who comes under their power. It compels him to acquiesce in that which, left free to express his thoughts and feelings, lie would not approve." After loud applause the Minister declared that airy person or any Government which did that was burying something which some day, sooner or later, would come to life. Something would most surely arise. The best philosophy in the world could not be put into practice by force or domination. Therefore, dictatorship could have no permanency. "On the other hand," continued Mr. Nash, "it is an old and basic principle that British citizens have the right of freedom to choose their freedom and to shape the laws under which -they live. The people of a free country need economic freedom, so that each might express himself spiritually and materially. And that is what offers the brightest hope for the future, especially to the young people who will be the citizens in time to come. The ideal of all who uphold democracy should be government by persuasion, not by force. Their aim should be to grow the plant of liberty, nurture and strengthen it to give all the right to be themselves. That is the goal of life." It was essential that freedom was for all, since its full value could never be attained unless it was the right and heritage of every man and woman, said Mr. Nash. This exaltation of right and liberty was the contribution of the English-speaking world to the progress of the world as a whole. For the mission on which he was about to embark, said Mr. Nash, his sincere hope and wish was that it would bind New Zealand more closely to the Old Country, and ultimately to other countries as well. He would try to live up to the responsibility that had been entrusted to him. Whatever the outcome, lie would return humble in spirit, but knowing that he had done his best, and that any agreements that he had concluded, difficult as they might be, would help to knit more closely the British Commonwealth that they all loved so much. Loud applause followed Mr. Nash's last words, and the function concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.