Party Politics

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 58, 2 December 1930, Page 13

Party Politics

Sir,—Party politics never did appeal to the writer; yet we see the Press in some instances taking sides with one party or the other. There is no opening for intelligence and capacity when attached to Ji party. Np successful business man dare eave his business in the lurch and attend to political work, usually to the detriment of his business, unless he is practically independent. To have one’s private affairs flashed in your face continually by political opponents arid electors is not conducive to a healthy state politically... The mere payment of under £lO per week, with continual requests for donations, will not induce hard-working business men to come forward. for political honours I Years dgo it was considered a great honour to become a member of Parliament, but today people are not keen to go through the ordeal and expense of contesting an election. But for the Labour versus other party system, the position would be straight sailing, and with throe party triangular contests the question is still more vexed. Frequently we are compelled to vote for a candidate just to keep the extreme element out. I hope this coming election to see more independents standing, when I feel sure the party men will receive very little consideration. If a man is worth his salt, surely the electors will be pre- • pared to give him a fair and just run, and not expect him to guarantee this and that, long before even a Bill is before the House for consideration. " ■ There is a feeling actuating the minds of the deep-thinking electors that party politics should be given a rest. Firstly, we have too many M.P.’s in the New Zealand House of Representatives; secondly, the wrong type of person frequently gets in. often by a neck; and thirdly, Parliament carries on its work in a most unsatisfactory manner during session. It is nothing short of a scandal the way business is hurried through at the last minute. Bills parsed this session are amended next session, and again amended the following session. Everything .seems to be hurried carelessly. At the beginning of each session hours are wasted in talking rubbish, and at the last hour an avalanche of Bills appears on the order paper, and members having a desire to rush back to their own homes, vote without thought just to finish the session. Pay members a decent salary, make Parliament sit almost continuously, starting at, say, 10 a.m., and finshing at 5.30 p.m. each day for five days in each week, with a reasonable holiday twice a year, and see the difference in the conduct of New Zealand politics I Imagine a business man leaving his business to drift aimlessly along, tackling politics in earnest for under £lO a week! We get what we pay for, and for the miserable payment of under £lO per week,' you cannot expect successful business men to take a hand in the conduct of Parliament, and Sarticularly so when party is so strongly i evidence. I sincerely hope more candidates will offer their services as Independents this coming election. I am. pARTy< Wellington, November 25, 1930.