TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1927, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

It is difficult to rofute Professor Murpliy's statement concerning tho politician's desire for votos in tho faco of tho exhibition given upon tho third reading of the Summer Time Bill. Several members spent timo in seriously debating whether Mr. Jordan had or had not said something derogatory concerning tho farmers, ami, if he had,.-whether it would affect tho Eaglan by-election or Labour's chances in tho General Election. Mr. Jordan is alleged to havo referred to "whining" in. association with farmers. Whether he aid or did not matters very little. Similar things havo been said before. Such phrases aro as common as Labour's "capitalist exploiters" or "exploited workers" and "tho men that farm the farmers," or the oft-repeated rcforeneo to the country's "backbone." Except to the politician in full cry aftor votes such phrases are of no account. Of courso members cannot be expected to ignore them completely; and thero would have been nothing unusual if tho incident on Thursday night had begun with an accusation by one member and a refutation by another. But as it was it seems to have been the most noteworthy incident of the evening's proceedings. Surely politicians are losing their sense of proportion., Idle words or heated ! words aro of loss moment than tho policy and actions of members. Those members who consider tho farmers' votes are liable to be influenced by such trivia] matters as tho charge which they "debated really do not rate their intelligence highly. Yet apparently there were several (on both sides of the House) gravely concerned whether the farmers would or would not change thoir political opinions because of a word which was not even unparliamentary. • * * ; While avoiding party politics as far as possible in his address upon public finance, Professor Murphy could not shut his eyes completely to tho effect of party. "The lack of adequato financial criticism in Parliament," he said, "had been blamed for much of the waste in public utilities; but tho politician was most intent on giving the public what they wanted. Ho had to gauge public opinion, and win votes.'* This is true up to a point; but it does not state the. whole, ease, The politician

whose services are most valued, even in these present times, is the man who does not blindly follow public opinion, but leads it. Tho time-server may win his seat and hold it;, but he rarely accomplishes much more. When he retires at the ena of ten, fifteen, or twenty years' Parliamentary service his record may be an empty one, with nothing more to be saia than that h« "always watched the interests of his district closely, ana was a loyal member of his party." Much more is not to be expected. The politician who has his ear to the ground cannot be espectea to see far. But the services of other men are appreciated. It is because we have had so few capable of giving an intelligent leaa in finance that the usefnlness of Parliament in this department-of public affairs ia now rated so low. * * * A striking illustration of this weakness was given in the passage through the House of the Taxing Bills. If the Government aefence was weak, the Opposition criticism was not strong. Inaeea, it was obvious that the leaa in criticism came not from the House itself, but from outsiae. This.ia not as it shouia be. There shouia be vigilant, well-informed critics within the House. As it is, unless the- proposal is one that directly affects organised Labour (when the outcry ia often out of proportion to the grievance) it seems possible to put any financial measure through. Members may say: "It i s the Finance Minister's responsibility"; but they must share it. Our finances call for careful, not casual, attention from members. For some years there has been talk of tapering-off borrowing. Every little while we give expression .to this pious resolution, ana then say: "Thank gooaness, that's settled! How much can we borrow this year?" We are not likely to get much farther till members of Parliament take their financial auty seriously, ana investigate what return is being obtained from loan capital ana to what extent borrowing even for "reproauctive" works is really economical. Members are not taking this duty seriously when all their requests for reaueed borrowing are general ana. all their aemands for expenditure are specific. • ♦ • "It wouia probably be shown that before the whole of the development haa boen completed in the swamp areas anything up to £1,000,000 wouia have to be met by the taxpayers." This statement by the Minister of Lanas must aamp the enthusiasm of the public for waste lands development. It ie not wholly a surprise. : For some time it has been clear that lana drainage operations wouia involve the State in a loss, ana that it wouia bo necessary to cut that loss in oraer to keep the lands occupied^ The estimatea deficiency, however, comes as an unpleasant surprise. The charges must be met; but it is' nevertheless important that full information should be given an to their composition. How much of tho cost may be charged' to inexperience? How much is on account of charges which may be avoiaea in the light of greater knowledge? As soon as it:is possible to do so, tho Minister shouia have a comprehensive report preparea which will be a guide in deciding future policy.