The Press Monday, October 22, 1928. Labour's Policy.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19447, 22 October 1928, Page 8

The Press Monday, October 22, 1928. Labour's Policy.

Many electors must have been struck by the trouble which the Labour Party, in its manifesto and in its candidates' speeches, has been taking to create the impression that it is a comparatively moderate Party whose aims are to be' sought along regular and constitutional lines. This is an essential part of Labour's strategy. In the interval between one election and the stirring of interest in the next tha leaders of " the "Labour movement" exert themselves to inflame the masses, and seek to win adherents by vigorous, and even violent, attacks upon the existing constitution of society. Although their violent propaganda may strengthen their Party, the strength is purchased with a price, and that price is the arousing of moderate men to a sense of the danger that threatens them. When, therefore, the election campaign begins, the Labour politicians seek to efface any adverse impressions they have made. They accordingly keep the real objective of their Party in the background. This fact is pointed out in a paper issued by the Welfare League. The Party has two programmes—the election programme which is based largely on the principles of Liberalism, and the real programme which its conferences draw up and which resto upon the fundamental aim of the Party, namely, " the socialisation of the means "of production, distribution, and exchange." When Labour speaks of " closer land settlement," and the " full "recognition of owner's interest in all "land, including tenure, the right of " sale, transfer, and bequest," it is seeking to deceive the public, for its real land policy includes the ultimate extinction of private ownership and the immediate application of the rule that "privately owned land shall not be " sold or transferred to the State." It would have thfe public believe that its conception of the State as a lender goes no further than an extension of the operations of the State Advances Office. It does not tell the electors, when asking for their votes, that its aim is the extinction of private banking and the establishment of a State bank. Its present of "national health insurance" do not appear to be very revolutionary, but its official programme includes the "nationalisation of the medical serM vice." Indeed, throughout its election campaign the Party waters down its revolutionary plans, and poses as & Party which, although its ideas are "advanced," is a normal political body. Actually it is an extreme Socialist organisation, with a disruptive and destructive policy, awaiting its 'opportunity to impose a sectional tyranny on the public. It is assisted by the folly of the United Party, which can have no political effect except the undesirable one of dividing the moderate forces which ought to stand together against the Reds. *