POLITICAL SITUATION

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 23 May 1930, Page 8

POLITICAL SITUATION

THE TYRANNY OF NAMES

The Welfare League writes:—

The greatest question of our time is th« growth of Socialism, and its advance is the most noteworthy feature in world politics at this moment. Socialists have pushed their ease so vigorously that in, every civilised country it is the dominant issue, which naturally divides the electors into two camps, Socialist or anti-Socialist. In addition to this great issue, and possibly because of the drift towards Socialist ideals m the Old Country, the Dominion has to face most critical and grave problems, which require the best brains in the country to solve. The one thing essential is a strong Government, and in New Zealand that is the main thing lacking, and the average elector is wondering why this is so —wondering why politicians who are vigorous anti-Socialists do not get to* gether on this dominant issue, instead o£ fighting one another on old differences which have disappeared. The answer seems to be that our politics to-day are governed by the value of mere partynames, and we ask, on behalf of, the average elector, "What's in a name?'' What: magic is there in "United" or "Reform"? .

The majority of citizens want to see th« best men in the political world get to« gether for the Dominion's welfare. They can call themselves what they like. What does it matter if the,:worn-out and meaningless party names are scrapped? Their continuance simply- means civil war amongst anti-Socialists on matters of no importance, when really united on the dominant issue before the world to-day.

The dissatisfaction at the present ab' surd position is so- strong that there is a serious clanger of the formation-of a new party. This would make matters still worse, and the best way to prevent it is to relegate the names of "United" and "Reform. to the scrap heap and hoist one National J'lag to which all anti-Socialists can rally. Political party pride may prevent a fusion of the old parties, whereas a new name may solve a difficulty which, is causing a dangerous situation. Meani,vhi!e the country's troubles are growing worse.