ALBERTA'S LESSON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 200, 24 August 1937, Page 6

ALBERTA'S LESSON.

Since they elected Mr. Aberhart to power two years ago, on a promise to apply social credit with miraculous effeets, the people of Alberta have had reason to refleet bitterly on jthe uselessness of politicians who are equipped only with good intentions. The Premier's first difficulty, which he eannot overcome and which he should have foreseen, arises from the fact that the control of money and currency belongs not to the Provincial, but- to the Federal Government. The Ottawa Government, indeed, might have exercised sts. powers more forcibly than it has done',- but it has evidently taken the view that "the only effective way of convincing the Alberta people of the emptiness of Mr. Aberhart's theories is to let him demonstrate it himself." The latest Aberhart legislation, however, has stirred Ottawa to action. It provides for the licensing of all banks, except the Bank of Canada, and for local committees to act with the managers of all branch banks in determining the amounts of loans to be granted. The local committees, ehosen by the Government, would have majority control, and it was expected that they would not be niggardly with the banks , money. Mr. Aberhart was invited by the Federal Prime Minister to submit this legislation to a test of constitutionality in the Federal Courts. He declined, whereupon the Government disallowed the; legislation. Now the Alberta Legislature is to be called to pass fresh legislation, which ; can hardly expect a better fate, and it is expected that the Government will appeal to the electors. The important point for New Zealanders to note is that Mr. Aberhart in Alberta, like Mr. Lang in New South Wales, has been checked by a written Constitution. | An. Aberhart or a Lang who promised his way i into power in New Zealand would meet noi sueh eheck; he eould flounder on his ruinous way until the next election.