THE POLITICAL FUTURE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 83, 8 April 1943, Page 4

THE POLITICAL FUTURE

Mr A. S. Richards, M.P., assures me that there is no need to be perturbed about the .political future of New Zealand as history proves that in every crisis the British Empire has always found the men and women to carry through. But why wait for a crisis? That is usually the result of poor work and bad statesmanship and is a sure reflection on the calibre of those in charge of affairs. Mr. Richards strongly criticises my advocacy of higher remuneration for members of Parliament and my desire to see our public men unhampered by the spectre of financial struggle. He illogically and unfairly infers that men in such circumstances "put self and leisure and all other considerations before service to their country and its welfare." Why deny to the member of Parliament the same right which Mr. Richards claims for those he represents? There are men in every community who have sufficient ability, enterprise and force of character to cause them to rise to high positions. These men earn considerably more than the £450 per annum paid to members of Parliament, and they have home and family responsibilities and other commitments in keeping with their earnings. They are not independent of such earnings, so despite their attainments and their desire to serve their country, the door to Parliament is shut against them. In their case it is not a question of "politics being made to pay handsomely," as Mr. Richards gibes, but of honest men of ability being able to pay their way while serving their country. Mr. Richards asks me to compare the efficiency and quality of New Zealand's political services with that of other nations. That is beyound me and I doubt whether Mr. Richards is able to do so himself, but it is hoped that other democratic nations do not model their political honesty and actions on the bureaucratic autocracy of our present Government. Let me ask Mr. Richards one question—Does he think his services to the country are not worth considerably more than £450? J. VICTOR MACKY.