BETTER TIMES AHEAD

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 126, 23 November 1935, Page 18

BETTER TIMES AHEAD

IF DEMOCRATS WIN

At a meeting of electors at Ngaio last night Mr. R. W. Bothamley, the Democrat candidate for Otaki, reviewed his party's policy and severely criticised the general policy of the Coalition Government. Mr. Bothamley agreed that some form of planned economy was neces-1 sary, but not sole Government control I ior nationalisation, but control at the | will of the majority. I "It is a remarkable fact," said Mr. Bothamley, "that some electors believe the hollow doctrine of Socialism paves the way to Utopia. Trade restrictions and currency manipulations are a curse in the world today and could be best described as the germs responsible for many of our economic ills. The abortive World Economic and Monetary Conference agreed that all forms of restrictions on the flow of trade should be reduced or removed. What happened? Our costly New Zealand delegation returned home and immediately set to work to increase restrictions and still further intensify a purely sectional policy in a vain effort j to hold in suspense the day of reckoni ing that is here now. The true New I Zealander is not the type to submit to any form of iron discipline to enforce State despotism that would mean completely destroying the freedom of the individual. It is too late now for the leaders of the Government to attempt to exercise the powers of clear thinking. Likewise it is futile f*->r them to expect electors to foster a falselyfounded spirit o£ optimism. No person knew this better than Mr. Downie Stewart when he resigned from the Cabinet rather than be a party to attempting to rehabilitate our economic structure on unsound foundations. It is these same foundations that are being steadily further weakened by all manner of theories steeped in Socialism that have been permitted to overshadow realities so vital to both urban and rural interests. Too long .have we had a Government that has been indifferent to the great weight of public opinion but is now naturally sensitive to the spotlight of the Democrat Party, tt is the wide range and influence of the Democrat candidates that is causing the leaders of the Government so much anxiety. In the past there has not been any alternative but the Labour Party."

Mr. Bothamley stressed the fact that the Democrats were on a political crusade to unite perplexed factions of the community who were opposed to dictatorial Government r.nd Socialistic legislation. Furthermore, the Democrat Party was determined to .protect the security of the individual as it was only by increasing the prosperity of the people as a whole., and thus augmenting the avenues of employment, that better limes could be restored -to all.