Evening Post WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1939. TO SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 130, 29 November 1939, Page 8

Evening Post WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1939. TO SPEAK FOR THE PEOPLE

Between elections the people of a country such as New Zealand have no really certain method of expressing their views and wishes. Even in elections their voice is_ not always clear. Under the p^rty-system of government they may be presented with a choice which fails to reflect their opinions. On one side it may go too far, and on the other not far 1 enough. Or the organised parties may submit issues, and the voters may disregard those issues and be influenced by something entirely different. If these difficulties are met with at elections, (the difficulties in between are much greater. The people of New Zealand are not quick to let it be known what they are thinking. They are even apathetic. In private circles they talk, but they do not rush to meetings. They tend to leave, the 'responsibility of expression to a few. This applies even to the established organisations such as business men's bodies and trades unions. Even when these bodies are roused to give strong expression, to opinions they cannot speak for the general body of the people.

For these reasons, the movement launched last night to form a representative people's organisation is one of great potential importance. It is intended to form a body which will speak for all. of the people, rather than for a few. Sections will be represented, but no one section will be dominant. In the inaugural meeting all classes and all interests were represented—town and country, professions and commerce, farming and manufacture, employer and employee. The new organisation is planned to. take.the views of all, consider them, and harmonise them, and thus obtain what will be a truly representative people's opinion. Of course, such an opinion will not represent exactly what every section desires; but it should represent what the reasonable members of all sections, after considering the views and interests of others, feel that they have a right to expect. It will be a balanced presentation, produced by taking a broad.view of all interdependent sectional interests. The movement is timely. There have been many signs lately of public uneasiness. Since 1938, when the people last recorded their views on national issues, there has been a decided change in the atmosphere. The war, of course, is .one far-reaching cause of change; Ismt, apart from this, there has been a marked change in public understanding anil appreciation of the issues that.were supposed ■to-; have'.been, submitted and decided in October, 1938. Proposals that many then thought to be right, or at least worth a trial, are now seen to be wrong. But the votes of a year ago cannot be recalled. The people may think and say that they desire modification of the policy, but they cannpt give expression to that desire with such emphasis that attention must be given. They lack a voice. There is danger, while such conditions exist, of the national unity and strength being greatly impaired. On- a basis of discontent and deep dissatisfaction no structure of real co-operation can be erected. There cannot be heartfelt unity. Upon the prosecution of the war all people are united, but the war effort must be made against a background of everyday affairs, and if there is serious unrest on these latter issues

the- unity in war matters cannot produce the greatest results.

The movement now launched will, it is hoped, correct this by giving to the people a firm voice—not a dozen different voices asking for different things. The movement is not political in character, though it frankly aims to be a force to influence politics or Government in the interests of all sections and particularly of the rank and file of tlje. people. Its aims and ideas are,briefly stated to be:

1. To be the voice of the people, rejecting bureaucratic government that infringes the freedom of the individual, and violates the principles of Christian and British, democracy.

2. To support any Government whose loyalty to party will be subordinated to loyalty and service to the people. 3. To resist those forces that would make the individual subservient to the State.

Broadly interpreted, the movement is one for the salutary correction of the faults of party government. No Government attains office by the will of its pledged supporters alone. It relies upon the unpledged free voters who hold the balance of power. But when in office every Government tends to disregard the will of these voters, and to be guided only by the Organised party. Especially does the present Government disregard the change in free public opinion as it has developed since the effect of the 1938 policy has become more clearly apparent. [This opinion now means

that if the people had seen what was to be thp outcome they would not have approved. Now they wish for modification, a change of course and particularly a change of course which will enable the country to make its maximum effort in warwinning. With an organisation to formulate and express emphatically that desire, it is to be hoped that the Government will be persuaded of the need for modification that will , check the rapid drift to disaster and remove the causes of spreading unrest.