Six Speakers Discuss Public Policy Issues

Press, Issue 29236, 21 June 1960, Page 17

Six Speakers Discuss Public Policy Issues

(flew Zealand Frew Association,

WELLINGTON, June 20.

Recent governments in New Tealand were analysed and found wanting by six members of the Constitutional Society when they addressed a public meeting in Wellington tonight. The speakers nre: Dr. O. C. Mazengarb, of Wellington. Professor J. Rutherfoni, of Auckland, Mr G. P. Dixon, of Nelson, Mr R- N. Hutton-Potts, of Invercargill,* Mr G. P. Sage, of Auckland, and Mr J. Scott-David-aon, of Whangarei. The special purpose ,of the meeting was to provide a pre-sessional forum for the expression of views on matters of fundamental importance, said Dr. Mazengarb. There were constantly arising certain broad issues of public policy which should be discussed in a non-party atmosphere in much the same way as they once were discussed by the old Legislative Council Dr. Mazengarb said that the money needed by State departments for social welfare and economic development had to come from the people themselves, and it could be found either in the old-fashioned way by direct taxation or by the new-fangled and pernicious method of inflation. Both methods had been used in combination by governments during the last 25 years, but under Labour the emphasis had been more on taxation than inflation, whereas during the years the National Party had been in power there had been a reduction in taxation but a considerable inflation of money supply. “Result In Balance”

At the moment the result of the forthcoming election was in the balance. If one side or the other would take its courage in

both hands and adopt the principles of the Constitutional Society sweep the country. The first primary need was a two-chamber system of government m which the views of all persons might be experienced, ‘rwwpective of party allegiance. The second primary objective of the society was the establishment j a s° UD< l monetary system under which neither the “bulls” nor the bears” would succeed in producing fluctuations in the value of money. Mr Hutton-Potts said that the Government in New Zealand at present had very wide powers—which it exercised through departments of State and institutions in a way which gave it tremendous authority over-day-to-day existence. This way of doing things was still experimental and had never really been put to the test. The changes that had been J n the management of affairs left the individual citizen without a means of exercising sufficient influence on government in between elections.

The problems that confronted the country—the problem, for Example, of housing another million peoole in the next 15 years—would certainly tempt future governments to use their powers to take away some of the freedom that still existed.

Caucus Discussions Mr Sage said that under present political conditions all cries from the electorate were channelled and muted through caucus, whence they issued, if at all, modified and conditioned to the party line. It was at caucus level that political courage and determination of a high order were called for and where in the recent past it had been sadly lacking. Mr Scott-Davidson said the society called for more honesty in politics. It believed that, if a political party reminded the electorate that only by greater effort could the people expect to receive more and that no juggling of finances by the State could produce prosperity, that party would earn the respect and support of the voters.