Labour Party Re-states Its Aims And Objectives

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29818, 10 May 1962, Page 12

Labour Party Re-states Its Aims And Objectives

(N2. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 9. “The Labour Party repudiates alike the soulless tyranny of Communism and the wasteful inhumanity of capitalism,” said a statement of aims and objectives issued today, by the party from its annual conference in Wellington. “There is no difficulty in defining the aims and objectives of the Labour Party. The aims remain what they have always been—the brotherhood of man and the greatest good for the greatest number, and the objective is to secure those aims by democratic means. The difficulty is in translating these high principles into day-to-day politics.”

“There is much support for the view that ’the best meahs to attain these ends is Socialism,” the statement continued. “This is not surprising for of the three great' ‘political’ events in the twentieth century Western world, one was the great depression of the 1930'5, a tragedy deepened by the refusal of many governments to apply the obvious remedies which were socialist in character. The other two were world wars, in which all participating countries found it necessary to resort to socialist measures. “The lesson has not been lost on our political opponents who have absorbed at least some socialist thought and outlook and the Tory of today would be regarded as a dangerous radical by his ancestors of the 1920’5.

“There has been a general change in political climate, and problems that seemed simple 30 years ago are now manifestly complex. Socialism itself has come to mean many things to many people. Let us not forget that it never was, and never could be, more than a means to an end, and if we become obsessed with the means we tend to lose sight of the end. Systems Compared

“Insofar as socialism involves public ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, many of us would still say it offers better opportunities of attaining our objectives than does private ownership. “That is not to say, however, that all public ownership is necessarily good and all private ownership necessarily bad. There are examples of public ownership that fall short of perfection, and which compare badly with the best of private ownership. And although we are keenly conscious of the defects of private enterprise, we tend to overlook sometimes that there are also short-comings inherent in

public control—or bureaucracy, as Its opponents call It. “There are dangers, moreover, in dogma, labels slogans, and other forms of capsule-thinking of which New Zealanders have always been aware. As a people we are not attracted to theories. We are much more interested in whether a thing does work than in whether it ought to work. Today the world knows Communism, which has taken a turn many of its early admirers deplore; and capitalism, which has displayed a vigour and viability surprising to many of its detractors. We dislike both of them, but it is not enough to be simply against something. Room For Compromise

“Let us not think that there is no room for compromise even between these apparent opposites. China, the far left of Communism, may yet push Russia towards America, where the growing activities of the far right may incline many to receive her.

“We, in turn, must be ready to select the best from any political theories or practices, if they are not inconsistent with our ultimate aim. This has been expressed in another way, by the British Labour Party, as ‘fair shares for all* and in pursuit of this we are free to adopt any policy that will multiply the total sum of human satisfactions to be shared, and will add to the equity of their division amongst mankind. “This calls for increases not merely in production of goods, in material wealth, but in intangibles—more, better and cheaper education, extended medical care and facilities, the relaxing of individual, group, racial and international tensions, intensified scientific research, and a -host of other matters that go to make up life, rather than mere existence. “How can we foster and achieve these today? Some, undoubtedly, by public activities. in nationally-supported universities, medical schools, research institutes, hospitals and so on, but in the immediate future at any rate, much of the capital must come from private sources and will be more readily forthcoming if it remains under private control.

"The answer must be, then, that there is not only room, but also a need, for a private sector, as well as a public sector. Both of them, however, must be fitted into an over-all plan or framework of general policy. “Haphazard Vigour”

“Much of the criticism that may be levelled at capitalism as a system is that its undeniable vigour has been haphazard and unco-ordin-ated. The dash of the market place becomes the battle between industrial giants, to the detriment of national economy and to the misery of thousands of hapless in-dividuals--with dangerously powerful monopoly as its end

“Labour’s concept of national development, enunciated in its last term of office, envisaged both public and private activity in the exploitation of our resources. This was set in the context of the Welfare State, which, beyond doubt, has improved the fortunes of many, but has it produced a riper and more contented society? If there are fewer today who have Inadequate means, is this the be-all and end-all of our existence? Has it raised or lowered the community’s sense of moral responsibility and rendered us more, or less, ready to leave problems to the other fellow—or to the State? Are we doing as much for ourselves—and for others —as we might? Have we confused a planned economy with a merely controlled eco-

nomy? “These questions prompt us to inquire whether we have not been seeking to legislate for happiness and well-being —which is impossible—instead of legislating tor the conditions in which people may find their own happiness and well-being. “Democracy can hope for survival only if it can base itself on keen interest and active participation of citizens in its functioning. ‘ The democratic process can be extended through territorial decentralisation and industrial democracy. Press, radio and television, free from undemocratic controls and pressures, should provide ample opportunities for free debates on political issues.

“The emergent nations, with their hundreds of millions of people, have a heavy burden of poverty to overcome. Their difficult task proves exciting because independence has released great reservoirs of vitality. There should be available to the new States the whole stock of science and technology that has been accumulated by the developed countries so that they may have the opportunity to- open new vistas. “Through co-operation with the developed countries, the new States have the opportunity of escaping the evils of capitalism and Communism alike. The future belongs no more to Communism than to capitalism. Both of them point back to an age where human beings were treated as raw material, and not as the source and object of all efforts.

“An ultimate objective should be nothing less than world government. As a first step towards it, the United Nations should be strengthened so that it may become more and more effective as an instrument for maintaining peace. Nations must settle their disputes by discussion and compromise, without resort to force, and admit the possibility of peaceful change. “The Charter of the United Nations and the decisions based on it should be respected by all. Its constitution and structure must reflect the increasingly important role which the new countries play on the world scene. Membership of the United Nations must be made universal so that all nations, including Communist China, may belong to it. Disarmament “We stand for full and complete disarmament both in nuclear and conventional weapons, including all countries and subject to truly effective controls. We shell never give up the patient search for practical solutions to outstanding disputes between nations. “We seek nothing but lasting peace, but will firmly defend our liberties and uphold the rule of law. . “We work for a world of peace and freedom, for a world in which the exploitation and enslavement of men by men and people by peoples is unknown, for a world in which the development of the individual personality is the basis for the fruitful development of mankind. “We proclaim bur conviction that the ultimate aim of political activity is the fullest development of every human personality, that liberty and. democratic self - government are precious rights which must not be surrendered, that every individual is entitled to equal status, consideration and opportunity, that discrimination on grounds of race, colour, nationality, creed or sex must be opposed, that the community must ensure that material resources are used for the common good, rather than the enrichment of the few. Above all, freedom and equality and prosperity are not alternatives between which the people must choose, but ideals which can be achieved and enjoyed together.”