The Dominion FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1913. TOMORROW AND THE FUTURE

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 309, 24 September 1943, Page 6

The Dominion FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1913. TOMORROW AND THE FUTURE

The Parliament to be elected tomorrow, and the Party enti listed with the responsibilities of Government, will have charge of this country's affairs and destiny during one of the most momentous periods in history. The whole of the civilized world is on the eve of a new dispensation in which vast changes in the social and economic lives of the various peoples are foreshadowed. The war in all its immensity of human effort aild expenditure is actually the means toward that end. When it is over the task of remaking the work in conformity with the “Four Freedoms” of the Atlantic Chaitei will begin, and this country will be called upon to contribute its share and play its part. So much has been said and written upon tins theme that there are probably very few people in this country outside the official Labour group who still cling to the narrow sectional doctrine, propounded by Labour leaders before th’e war, that it is possibleto “insulate the Dominion” (their own phrase) from the economic, problems of other nations. _ . , , New Zealand people in the main by this time realize that in the. coming dispensation their' country cannot be an isolated unit, but must inevitably make its contribution to the common pool of humanity at large. Many no doubt have also realized that a’recalibration of our political leadership is one of the essential requirements of the tasks to be faced and carried out. Nothing, possibly, has given greater emphasis to this feeling than the people’s reactions to the broadcasts over the air of Parliamentary debates, and of speeches by selected candidates during the present election campaign. More perhaps than . anything else, these broadcasts have given the public the true measure of the political quality and outstanding shortcomings of many ot | those who were elected to serve the people in Parliament and administer | the affairs of the country. They have heard in Parliament itself the crudities of speech, the narrow, partisan aggressiveness, the intolerance of opposing opinions so often demonstrated by noisy and even, vulgar interjections from the Labour Party benches.'. It has not been edifying, and it cannot have inspired confidence in the minds ot those who are concerned for the future good government of the Dominion. .... . , . The public’s reactions to these broadcasts indeed have brought the realization to many that what is needed for the immense lesponsibilities of the future, is a new and more elevated standard of political qualities and values, and, most important, a broader sense of political responsibility and a truer appreciation of the sacredness o individual rights and freedom. There is a widespread feeling that Parliament has degenerated under the narrow and selfish sectional, outlook now so evident and with this degeneration there has been a corresponding deterioration in the ethical standards of political I morality. We will have difficult problems of our own to solve, lhe change-over from wartime to peacetime economies, the rehabilitation of our returned servicemen, will demand the best efforts of men ot high principle and stout courage. There will be need for the eneigy and the inspiration of the more youthful and enterprising of those who offer themselves for public service—men. who, like Mr. Holland, are looking forward with confidence, not living in the past .and exhausting their remaining energies in voicing the mouldy grievances of a by-gone day. '