"NEW SOCIAL ORDER"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 71, 21 September 1943, Page 4

"NEW SOCIAL ORDER"

Regarding claims for a "new social order" "Old-time Liberal" writes: — "A 'new social order' of progressive and steady social enlightenment has been and is being forged (with much painfulness and heartburnings) among democratic peoples ever since 1940. The 'blitz' in Britain started it. Dur^ ing that time class distinctions and the aristocratic assumptions of leadership were radically revised and the truth came out—under pain of death and injury. Character, leadership ability, humanitarianism, courage, and endurance were found among the lowest and most poorly-paid workers as much as among the aristocrats of society. And the former will be rewarded (as all who think and observe can see) by a 'new social order' in Britain after the war. But, Sir, I assert that it will not include: a wholesale suppression of private enterprise and a restriction even of private ownership, domination of industry and all businesses by the State, equality of income for all.; universal State regulation and regimentation, denial of access to courts and right of appeal, or a ruthless bureaucracy that includes none of that sweet reasonableness that should be a guiding factor with the public administrator. We in this country are the most British of all the Dominions. Well, then, if the people of Britain will not stand for that kind of programme, is it surprising that a very large proportion of the people of New Zealand are determined to stamp out such things from our political administration? The Labour Government of extreme policy must be replaced by a tolerant, progressive administration, moderate and reasonable, retaining the best of Labour's works (and they are many), but restoring the initiative to the individual and his freedom and his justice. I believe we have such a potential administration in the new National Party with its new blood, new ideas, and new awareness of the social change above referred to."