WANTED—A LEADER

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 21, 26 January 1931, Page 8

WANTED—A LEADER

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—lt i» nearly a quarter of a century since the late Richard John Seddon sent his last message to the people of New Zealand, that he was "leaving for God's own country." His use of that phrase was evidence of his true affection mid appreciation of New Zealand after his very considerable travels in many other parts of the world. Since that time much snow has melted on New Zealand's beautiful mountains, and-great developmental changes have taken place on the habitable surface of this country; and. with the advent of the motor age and better roads, New Zealanders are enabled to know their own country better, and appreciate its many advantages. Yet, in spite of this, one is continually reminded of the old poetical lines— "Where evevy prospect, pleases, and only

._■ man is vile." We have a beautiful country, well watered, generous sunshine, great tracts of - land awaiting settlement, yet there are thousands unable to earn a living. Millions of pounds are spent on the political machinery necessary to discuss what should be done, and then, like Diekens's Circumlocution Department—use every endeavour, to avoid doing it; or, if anything is done, it h not done economically. Railways are built to suit tho interests of party supporters; taxation proposals are altered to suit those who can wield the most interests; it takes nearly a life-time to carry even a simple Act like daylight saving into effect; wo go muddling alonp: in the same silly fashion, never avoiding the mistnkes of the past, and with the same old cry, "The spoils to the victor!" Surely, it ig time that some real states-

men who have humanitai-ian principles were showing up in this young country to replace some of the petty party politicians who at the present time are sticking to their seats as if that were the only thing worth considering. What is the use of passing an Act to abolish the Legislative Council, and then letting it go by default? Talk about Conservatives! No wonder that the late Sir H. Rider Haggard, who" was born and- bred 'a Tory, when writing in his memoirs entitled ''The Days of My Life" (vol. 2, jkge 192) s.-iys,

"It does strike me1 that this Conservative Government never quite realised that the time had gone when it was possible for a happy family,to philosophise at a round table, calling each other by their Christian names, and sucking the sweets of office from year to..year, quite satisfied to meet any emergencies that might arise in a happy-go-lucky, hand-to-mouth fashion, and to proclaim in well-educated voices that, while they ruled, all was well with the world; also that the.questions which others thought urgent might be postponed •—to a more convenient season. Session was added to session, and still they scoffed at the need of any constructive policy. Meanwhile the thunder-clouds banked up, and that strong and turbulent spirit, Mr. Chamberlain, growing impatient of this political. lotus eating broke away and ran up a score off his own' bat, which to this hour the Unionist Party does not know whether to count in its total or to sp'once from the board." Thus speaks Sir Eider Haggard, disgusted and tired with the machinations of his own party, forced to give vent to Radical opinions.'

Sir! What New Zealand needs to-day is a leader, spme mature patriotic man with sufficient independence to enable him to rise above the status of a mere leader of a political machine, willing to sacrifice himself in the interests; of the people. When such a man comes, then New Zealand will prosper, and take her place among the nations —and we shall bs spared another general election run in the humiliating manner-o£ the bargain.store advertising campaign.—l am, etc., .

JOHN CASTLE,