MR HAMILTON ON DEMOCRACY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22274, 13 December 1937, Page 6

MR HAMILTON ON DEMOCRACY

TO THI IDITOB OF TEI PBBBS. Sir, —In “The Press” of November 29 the Leader of the Opposition is reported as saying that “the people should unite in defence of democracy against the Labour Government.” Was he referring to political or parliamentary democracy or to real economic democracy? The former was torpedoed by the last Government, when it disfranchised for one year the electors of New Zealand without the country s sanction. I would ask him or any other responsible member of the National Party lor, in Mr Poison s words, the “old gang”), what is that party’s conception of democracy', lo assist and facilitate a reply, I submit the following questions:— Does it mean the perpetuation of a money system whereby, the greater the wealth production, the greater becomes th f)oes it acknowledge the right of

those who, by accident of birth, environment, and opportunity, . have faculties or genius above the average to take every possible advantage of their less fortunate fellow beings? Does it uphold the right of companies or individuals to tax the community by collecting enormous dividends while a large number of the people are poverty stricken? Does it mean that usury (interest) has priority over the right of human beings to a sufficiency of the necessaries of life (food, clothing, shelter), not to mention the refinements of life? . Does it mean that the standard of living for the great majority in New Zealand should be levelled down to that of the Indian coolie? Does it mean that the foundation of laws should be compatible with worship of the “golden calf’ (i.e., money, wealth, stock exchange gambing, investments), or does it mean the practical application of those unselfish, humanitarian, and Christian principles that envisage a brotherhood society, enunciated by Christ m His hallowed Sermon on the Mpunt? Does it mean that 100—nay, 1000— innocent children should suffer through malnutrition, be semi-clothed, and be deprived of beauty and happiness, to keep one or two vultures of the human family living in affluence and luxury? , . , Does it mean that society, regardless of the inhuman suffering inflicted, should be forced to fit the economic system, or the economic system to fit ever-changing society? And is the National Party’s conception of democracy compatible with socialism in any form? Does it involve a planned economy or a continuance of the anarchy of production and the far greater anarchy of distribution? x Readers should take note of whether the questions are answered and how, as I am living in hopes that it will be attempted and that it will be over a genuine signature.—Yours, etc., H. TRITT. Fairlie, December 1, 1937.