THE STATE’S “MUST”

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 202, 24 May 1945, Page 8

THE STATE’S “MUST”

Growth Of A Habit

For a long time the jK>ople have beer, asking: Will there lie n loosening of Government controls when Peace finally comes? ' It is obvious that war-time necessltj lias resulted in restrictions and controls which the people have borne cheerfully. But a feeling has developed that the many persons whose job it is to authorize and administer the restrictive measures will not "let go" without a good deal of persuasion. Tlie failure of the Government to relax any worth while controls since VE day. and their obvious reluctance to name controls that they intend Io cancel, justifies the fear that few of these will lie abandoned.

The Labour Government, having tasted many new spheres of State control. will endeavour to justify all of them because they are so many steps achieved towards complete State control of industry, distribution and transport. Instead of loosening controls the Government is increasing them. The Government’s real aim is indicated b” its decision to acquire the Bank of New Zealand. This is not a war measure. It is not a linauekil necessity. It promises no public benclits. It will not help the Bank’s customers. It is a flagrant measure of State control — for the sake of State control, and for the sake of more State control in the future.

The average man and woman may not be interested in the Bank of New Zealand. But they are interested in their right to choose the job they prefer. Io live where they like, to buy the things they fancy, and Io control their own money. State control of banking means State control of everybody’s jobs, businesses, and linance—and State control in New Zealand means Trades Hall control. The public should protest and declare: “Leave the Bank alone.” —Advertisement.