Secret Agreements

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29746, 13 February 1962, Page 3

Secret Agreements

Sir, —I applaud “Cosmosian’s” view that New Zealand is inadequately governed by a partyocracy rather than by a genuine democracy I would be interested to know what he thinks of my plan for improving the quality of democratic govemmenwhich I outlined in the 1961 edition of the university magazine. “Hemlock." (A few copies of this are still available at progressive bookshops.) In general. I think it deplorable that plans for our economic future should be allowed to become a party issue. It should be possible to list all the pros and cons of different plans for development and finally decide on the basis of these rather than on the basis of party loyalties Our so-called “free” system will never appeal much to undecided countries if we cannot progress more rapidly and without destructive and highly wasteful squabbling.—Yours, etc.,

MARK D SADLER February 12. 1962.

Sir, —The industrial agreements have several objectionable features. They create monopolies; they strengthen the bureaucracy; and they impair the flexibility essential to an expanding economy The; could also lead to the emergence of an industrial oligarchy In existing circumstances, these agreements may aggravate the problems relating to New Zealand's overseas trade. The product of a short-sighted policy, they are a poor bargain.—Yours etc., H.J.E. February 11. 1962.