The Dominion. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1937. IN DEFENCE OF CIVIC LIBERTY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 70, 16 December 1937, Page 6

The Dominion. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1937. IN DEFENCE OF CIVIC LIBERTY

The emergence upon the scene of two different bodies of. citizens having freedom as a common aim is symptomatic of the growing feeling that organisation is needed to resist the encroachments that are being made upon the people’s liberties by the Government’s Socialist policy and its methods of bureaucratic control. Some months ago a Young New Zealanders’ Association was formed by young business men founding their careers, and apprehensive concerning the future prospects of private enterprise in this country. “For Freedom of Enterprise” is the slogan of the movement which has established itself in various centres throughout the Dominion. Yesterday a telegram from Auckland announced the birth of the. Auckland and Provincial Freedom Association, with Professor Algic, Professor of Law at Auckland University College for the past 18 years, as organiser. 1 his organisation is out to “oppose by all lawful means the growing menace of State control and Ministerial interference in agricultural and industrial affairs.” Although the Young New. Zealanders’ Association is non-party its objective, “for freedom of enterprise,” sharply diverges from the Socialist policy of the Government, which has attacked, is still attacking, and without any doubt will continue to attack private enterprise and cripple initiative in every field of industrial and business activity. The new Auckland body is frankly opposed to the present Government and will support the National Party at the next election. The significance of each of those movements is the necessity which has brought them into being. There have been various organisations of citizens at one time and another for furthering definite objectives. We have had, to mention a few, the National Defence League before the war, and lately recreated, for stimulating public interest in the safety of the country against invasion; the Navy League, for a strong Navy; the League of Nations Union, for the furtherance of peace ideals. But never in all our history as a democracy, until the present Government launched its programme of socialisation, has it been, felt necessary to take steps to defend our freedom as citizens of a British Dominion. The launching of these two movements—one for freedom in private enterprise, the other pledged to the exercise of constant vigilance to preserve civic liberty”—is a clear indication of an awakening of public interest in political questions which has not been manifested for many years past. Time after time attempts have been made to rouse people from a state of political apathy which has threatened to become chronic. While they have allowed matters to drift .the enemies of freedom have been active and alert. For the time being they are in control of the country. In. two years of office the Socialist Government with its dominant majority, has forced legislation through Parliament which has imposed restrictions on private enterprise that are having destructive effects. Established businesses have been put of existence, and projected enterprises have been baulked at the start. In the Statute Book to-day there is the. complete machinery for the socialisation of all business and industrial enterprises. On top of this is a load of taxation that is bleeding the. resources and 'vitality of industry in general. All this has been said before, and frequently, but it cannot be too often emphasised that unless steps are taken to recover our freedom and initiative as citizens, this country s progress will be arrested, and stagnation will follow. It is a most serious reflection on the Government that it should even occur to New Zealand people that organised measures to defend their freedom have become necessary. The movements launched are a heartening indication that New Zealanders are still animated by a strong and unshakable desire to work out their own salvation as individuals, and resent State interference in the management of their affairs. For the present encroachments upon their liberties they, must, however, accept some responsibility. Paternalism in government has been fostered by too greqt a tendency to appeal for State assistance in various ways in times of difficulty. Experience.has demonstrated that for the help given a price has always to be paid.. In the enjoyment of immediate reliefs and benefits this has not always been realised, and thus the way has been prepared for the more serious encroachments of Socialism and bureaucratic control. In colloquial language, we have “asked for it?’ It is not simply a question of recovering the freedom that has been lost, but also of restoring and invigorating the spirit of independence and self-reliance which has become relaxed and enfeebled by everlastingly running to the Government with our troubles.