CANDOUR IN POLITICS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 82, 16 October 1928, Page 8

CANDOUR IN POLITICS

I Because it departs from the usual lines, the Prime Minister's election manifesto will be severely criticised by opponents. It contains no sepetacular promises, and it is restrained even in its anticipations of progress. '. Mr. Coates may expect to hear it described as "empty, bankrupt of policy, and colourless." He will have the satisfaction of remembering, however, that similar terms were applied to Mr. Downie Stewart's last Budget because that also made no big promises. Possibly some of the people, who arc not active opponents of the Government will also be disappointed. The public, in their public affairs,- rather like to be humbugged. They may resent the frankness with which Mr. Coates says in effect: "I can't make you rich by Act of Parliament—get to work." Possibly some will be inclined to reply: "We've always'had promises at election time. , You ought to have thought up some." Speaking for ourselves, we can commend the frankness of the manifesto in this respect. Mr. Coates does not believe that much new legislation will bo helpful. ; I belicva . t fco states) that the Gov: eminent has already set out the main lines for -satisfactory advancement of the country as a whole, and that the Dominion requires chiefly a steady persistence with the present policy, which has been designed in the interests of all classes of the eoinmunity. • The statement may not altogether meet the desires of those electors who like their legislation in generous measure; but it is honest and courageous. A statement may, however, be both honest and courageous and yet incorrect. That is for the electors to decide. If they consider that the Dominion requires something . more than "chiefly a steady persistence with the present .policy," and that other parties can supply that something more, they will bo able to record that opinion. Viewing the issues on broad general linos, we believe that Mr. Coates's statement is substantially correct. The difficulties which the Dominion is experiencing and the. problems which confront its people cannot be settled by big doses of patent medicine legislation. 'In . some directions legislation will bo necessary to correct some of the things done-wrongly in the past; but chiefly the necessity is for the" application of a few old copybook maxims about thrift and work. It is, how'over, one thing to think this and another to say it. 'Mr. Coates has had the courage to say it, but it will be necessary to enforce the truth of the statement if it is to be generally accepted. For proof of his creed the Prime Minister offers the record of his three years of office. He emphasises chiefly the encouragement given to production and the maintenance of sound finance. The claims made are not extravagant. Indeed, they are set out quite modestly. Continuance of sound and progressive administration is the main promise made- for the future. It is certainly not ..spectacular, but it is of first importance, Stability in government is one of those things which, like salt in. our food, we fail to appreciate fully until we are deprived of it. But stability' does not mean immobility. The .Prime Minister admits,that the Government must meet changing conditions, and his manifesto outlines the points in which change is desirable.. Briefly these are: Relief of taxation, advance in land settlement, creating rural and suburban small-hold-ings, relief of local rates, co-ordination; of transport, promotion of industrial peace, provision of contributory invalidity pensions, and solution of tho'unemployment problem. The manifesto does not submit details of the plans, and in some instances the reference is only to the problem presented without any suggestion of the remedy to be applied. We are not inclined, however, to be severely critical of this. In a .three-thous-and word review of past performance and future policy there is not room for much detail. Nor would it be reasonable to expect the Government to have schemes cut and dried for the correction of economic and social ills. We hope, however, that in the course of the campaign Mr. Coates and his colleagues will take the public more fully into their confidence. This is necessary^ to

establish the feeling1 of confidence which cannot be built up solely-upon the record of tho past. There arc several points upon which more information can bo given. Land settlement especially calls for detailed treatment. Taxation also can be dealt with more fully. ,Tlio Minister of Finance in his last Budget indicated a more favourable attitude towards reduction of the company tax. It would bo opportune now to state what consideration will be given to this subject when the revenue returns are such as to warrant reduction. We do not expect hard and fast promises. Such, indeed, would be imprudent under present conditions, but a plan of revision may yet be outlined for operation us circumstances permit. With regard to transport the Government has already done much to clear the way for action. The manifesto understates the value of this preliminary work. The opportunity which the election presents should be seized to educate the people upon those sound principles, of transport economy which have been laid down by the Minister of Bailways .nd the Minister of Public Works. There is one other point which calls for explanation —that is tho reference to invalidity pensions. In the Speech from the Throne it was indicated that the Government had in mind a contributory pensions scheme which would ultimately replace the present non-contributory pensions. .The manifesto paragraph seems to suggest that the contributory plan worild apply only to the new class of invalidity pensions. Possibly it would be desirable to begin in. this way, but we hope the Government lias not abandoned ,tho proposal to institute eventually an all-embracing plan which would encourage thrift. There are other minor points which will doubtless be elaborated as the campaign advances. Tho Prime Minister has laid a firm foundation in his manifesto. It is solid and fairly proportioned. If he can build upon that foundation with equally skilled and honest craftsmanship he need little fear comparison with other more showy types of political architecture. '