“CALL OFF THE DOGS!”

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 52, 24 November 1928, Page 11

“CALL OFF THE DOGS!”

Sir, —May I. as an ordinary workaday citizens, be permitted to reply to “Jus Tertii” on the “Political Situation,” which appears in “The Dominion” of this morning’s issue. Ido not conjecture who this individual under a “Roman helmet" may be—nor am I at all anxious to uncover the author of so foolish a summary of the recent elections. As a sample of political balderdash—offensive in expression and biased in character —it would indeed be difficult to match, and it would have been more sensible on the part of “Jus Tertii” had he pondered a while his opening sentence “The amount of twaddle,” etc., and left it at that, at least he would have escaped the inference of mental flatulence as well as that of political inexpertness.

What has brought about the present political impasse—very largely—is not a haphazard vote of the people, but a want of confidence on the part of the solid business interests of the country. Clearly not only are they dissatisfied with the academical meanderings of the Government, but are gravely apprehensive of its policy, and the effect of that policy upon the future business interests of the Dominion. What is desired is that Parliament shall devote itself to a period of hardheaded business economies—get down to “tin tacks,” open up the country, encourage production, organise transport, widen our markets, encourage capital into secondary industries, and leave the legitimate interests of private capital a fair field. Now, Sir, I believe yon will agree with me that at this stage “the hounds should be called off” and let us all have a little rest. The election is over—the people have expressed their will for a change, and although that decision maybe, and undoubtedly is. disappointing to some, we may be assured that the leaders will find a satisfactory solution of what appears at the moment a dilemma. One thing is certain, and that is, that nothing is to be gained by irritative action or expression, and no obstacle must be created in the nath of the parties that should lead to a fusion of platforms, and its functioning in the interests of the country and its people.—l am. etc., PHIL. B. Wellington, November 22.