APATHY OF ELECTORS

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 7, 8 July 1935, Page 8

APATHY OF ELECTORS

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —I note from your news columns and from your leading article of Thursday last, that Mr. F. W, Doidge cannot understand the apathy of the man in the street towards politics. While I may not be able to explain the attitude of the majority, I think that I can explain the apparent apathy of the younger section of the community. This will necessitate the scrutiny of some of our past history.

Prior to the raising of the exchange, rate an Australian economist was brought to New Zealand to advocate higher exchange for New Zealand. Despite the fact that he was specially engaged, the Government made him a member of the Commission to report on the advisability of raising the rate. At the same time the senior Professor of Economics 'in New Zealand was not appointed to the Commission. In spite of the foregoing none of our elders (and those who should be our leaders) made the faintest sign of public remonstrance to the Government. I will admit, however, Mr. Editor, that your paper has consistently and ably condemned the raising of the rate of exchange. After this the Auditor-General brought-to the notice of Parliament the most irregular fashion in which Native Affairs were 'being administered, and the Commission which the Government set up established the charges of the Auditor-General. Judge, then, of the amazement of the man in the street to read of responsible members of Cabinet not. only endeavouring to whitewash the Native Minister but actually passing not too praiseworthy remarks with regard to the AuditorGeneral. Again we waited in vain for some of our elders to protest publicly. . :

To give one further instance, we have read with a good deal of surprise of the appointment of a gentleman whose firm has large business in farm advances to the chief position in the Mortgage Corporation. Our surprise has been increased by the fact that the firm in question was interested in the agitation for the raising of the exchange rate. Did "our betters" come forward and protest, against this? If so we have not read of it.

It may be said that while the country has the 28 per cent., preponderance over the cities in voting power, it is hopeless to, expect to do anything, but there are many young people in New Zealand and, I may add, the universities, who are not "Red" and who would welcome statements from leading citizens condemning the things to which I have referred. There are some of us, who used to read "The Newsletter" and its outspoken comments on J. T. Lang, who have long waited for citizens of standing to condemn the adoption of "Langism" here.—l am, etc., YOUNG NEW ZEALAND.