PROBLEMS AND PEOPLE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 132, 30 November 1935, Page 8

PROBLEMS AND PEOPLE

When Mr. Forbes knew that he was a defeated Prime Minister he lnade friendly and complimentary reference to the. leader of the | winning party. Mr. Savage was equally friendly in his-reply. This was not merely sporting; it was sincere. The .fact -that it could happen is one of the best testimonials that could be given to the spirit of the men who work our democratic system. It is proof also of the wisdom of the system which produces such men. Bitter partisans, not knowing the men, may think the friendliness simulated; or else they may cynically conclude that the political fight is a sham. It is not. Between Mr. Forbes and Mr. Savage there are real differences of principle; but that does not prevent them from respecting each other's qualities and prizing each other's respect. Perhaps the best proof of Mr. Forbes's sincerity was given when lie gave a spontaneous testimonial to his opponent in the middle of the campaign. He was complaining of what he thought to be unfairness on the part of the Democrat leader, and he added: "It's not cricket. Joe Savage would not say it, anyhow." That sentence was a higher compliment than a column of eulogy from political supporters. Our Parliamentary system works well because it makes such tilings possible.- Before they enter Parliament political opponents may think and speak of each other as "Tories" and "Bolsheviks," but after close association in the House personal bitterness disappears and if opprobrious epithets are still applied they have only a political meaning. Political differences remain, but the substitution of mutual respect for personal animosity makes even those differences less acute. If this were not so the democratic system would have become.unworkable long before this.