"THE MIDDLE COURSE"

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 137, 13 June 1939, Page 4

"THE MIDDLE COURSE"

-«. (To the Editor.) / Sir,—We are supposed to be living in an age of education and enlightenment in which politics are being perpetually discussed. As for the amount of thought the age takes credit for itself there may be some doubt. Politics in the true sense should not mean sectional bitterness, harsh words, and wrangling about some mere party question when there is so much more at stake. An impartial review of the result of the Christchurch South by-election as a political barometer definitely indicates there is confusion in the minds of electors striving to assess the true position of our political and economic transition. Compared with the figures of last election the Government has lost ground to the tune of 2000 odd votes in Christchurch South and the National candidate failed to register any substantial gain. Incidentally, the total votes recorded are less by approximately 2500. Whether the reduction in votes' recorded is due to apathy, dissatisfaction, confusion of mind, or a decay of national character, time alone -will prove. It is no good hiding our heads from realities, and the danger of our present national character being incapable of preserving what good citizenship created in the past. From the warnings given by two members of Cabinet during the campaign regarding "production" and "rising costs" it is to be hoped some change in the policy of the Government can be expected and more of a middle course will be followed. The warnings referred to suggest it is now being recognised that the dangers arising from soft living and prodigality will have to be checked. Praise must be given to the Ministers for their candour,' because it is always much easier to offer electors pleasant words than to offer them grim warnings! Over-spending, declining production, rising costs, high taxation, trade restrictions—all these will soon have to be faced up to, otherwise neglect to do so will mean stumbling headlong into economic collapse A major contributing factor to our existing troubles is that rural interests are being neglected, consequently in New Zealand today there is a dangerous lack of balance between rural and urban interests and therefore a badly balanced economy. Better a population of peasants than paupers. We New Zealanders are a great middle class people and as such we have made this country what it is capable of achieving with a lai-ger j population. Whatever the ideas or j motives, if any, behind the legislation of recent years, the longer the ! fundamental principles of democracy are attacked, instead of the weak- j nesses of democracy, then so can the I future continue to be viewed with ap- i prehension. ! A "Niagara" of pleasant words and platitudes will alone not make demo- ! cracy work, neither can confidence and I. stability be restored in New Zealand ', unless the majority, and not a minor- : ity, decide the changes in essential I laws that govern justice and individual j security. Under the Liberal banner that did so much in building our economic and financial structure the watchword was "moderation," and a just reward for both capital and lab- J cur in all undertakings or projects. ; Better the unpalatable truth than a ' rude awakening for the simple reason , it is impossible to change the national ! character of New Zealanders like emo- ! tional people in other countries where '■ freedom today is in shackles. i A study of the result of the Christ- ;' church South by-election provides much food for thought. The sooner New Zealand gets backs to the '"middle course" the better for all concerned.—l am. etc., T. A. FRASER. .