FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 119, 16 November 1937, Page 15

FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY

ELECTION ISSUE

MR. BODKIN AT CARTERTON

The National Party claimed that the issue at the next election would be democracy versus Socialism, said Mr. W. A. Bodkin, M.P. for Central Otago. in an address at Carterton. last night, and it urged everybody who believed in the traditions of the 3ritish Constitution to join it and throw the whole of their energies into its development. There was no distinction between Communism and Socialism, said Mr. Bodkin, who claimed that the Government was putting up smoke screens in all directions to disguise that fact. Recently a Catholic priest had made an attack on Communism, and the Government had stepped in and said that in future addresses of that nature were not to be broadcast. The reason was that the Government' was quick to realise, that if there was an. analytical study of Communism,-and Socialism it would come home to the people that there was no difference between Communism and the principles of the Labour Government. It was the Government's intention to socialise the means of production, distribution, and exchange, to bring about a totalitarian State and to abolish private ownership and interest. All that, however, had not yet come about because the Government was shrewd enough to know that •if it went ahead too boldly with its programme there would be a big revulsion of public opinion, and it realised that it was essential to retain the confidence of the electors at least until after the next election. Then it; would eliminate the country quota arid So'to the towns to carry out its Socialistic As soon as it was returned at the last election it made appointments. to the Upper House to' erisur.e that it had complete control of that chamber, and for the past two years it had been in full • control -of the: Parliamentary machine. . •' ' .'■'.' ; . HUVATE ENTERPRISE. Under the constitution Of the National , Party there .would, be the most liberal representation "throughput the country. Workers,'1; business men, farmers, and others were invited to come over to its side and fight for democracy. The National Party stood for private enterprise, which was the only inducement for people to excel and get on in the world, and which was one of the-greatest qualities of the British race. It claimed that a reduction in taxation was absolutely necessary and believed that the present high taxation was responsible for the gigantic army-'-of unemployed. ■ "We contend that, there should be equal reward for labour and' capital, and that there cannot be real prosperity until: the conditions of the farming community are -uc. that the farmer can produce and sell at a profit," he! said. "Wages should be in accordance with the ability of an industry to pay, and should be fixed b> the Arbitration: Courtu' There must also be a vigorous land settlement policy, a general policy of superannuation, and increase in the family 'allowances The National Party stands also for absolute freedom of the air. and believed that broadcasting should not be conducted for a profit, but should serve the best interests of the people." ■'-.'.."