CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 20032, 24 November 1928, Page 3

CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT.

TO THE EDITOK. Bir,— jn your issue of 10-night appear some comments on tho elections contributed, by tho New Zealand AAelfaro League, and to my mind they make interesting reading. _ In tho first place they prove that tho time is rotten ripe lor an alteration in onr electoral machinery, whereby’ a more equitable representation of the peoples political opinions should bo obtained in Parliament. This, to my way of reasoning, is one of tho first reforms that tho_ party which takes charge of tho dominion a affairs should institute. _ AVhen the people’s will is reflected in Parliament in tho same proportions as it is reflected in tho voting outside, then no party can complain. There may be other influences, but when you get what you veto for all should ho content. This election is not so bad as others have been; still it proves what I have stated above—that tho first reform should ho to at least make future elections more equitable as lar as outside opinion goes. Then tho AVelfarc League goes on to say in a veiled sort of way that a sort of coalition between Reform and United should not bo overlooked. AA’o quite expected this from tho league, as it is quite in lino with iis former screeds against tho Labour Party; but in tho same issue is a pretty definite pronouncement from Sir Joseph that this is not to he considered. However, one statement is quite true, and that is that the Reform and United thirties .stand tor private enterprise and personal freedom—competition. This wo are at least in agreement on, but what follows is not so clear—“ that the change has proved to ho tor constitutional government,” etc., implying that tho New Zealand Labour Parly stands tor unconstitutional government. 'This statement is .surely nut pulling the portion correct ly. The league speaks of revolutionary party control. AA’hat does it mean hy that statement? Tho only revolution the New Zealand Labour Party stand-. i>w i- a. revolution in an educated public opinion along onr lino of policy. We recognise that no change can cumo about until a majority of the people desire it. 'This may bo near or remote; but tho more education that goes on tho nearer it will bo brought to pass. Tho Labour Party i.s no different from any other party seeking control of tho destinies of this dominion. TYw enly difference is this: that the Labour Party stands for a. social system based cm service and co-operation, wherein all uiU eo-operato something to tho benefit o 7 tho whole. This is opposed by all the other parlies on their own showing; lienee wo say thcro arc only two lorces operating m society—those who own and control everything (about 26 per cent, of tho whole) and those who own nothing (comprising about 86 per cent, of tue whole), but who must and ace dependent on the 26 per cent, tor the privilege of getting a living at all, and that only alter they tiavo paid a toll m the xorm of rent, interest, and profit to those, a great many of whom neither toil nor spin, but consume all the time a portion ot Unit wJneJi, in the lirst place, they have no mural right to, although, they hold it legally. Me strive for a revolution in ideas whereby this unmoral stale ot things shall be ended, and then will also be ended most, if nut all, tho ills society is cursed with to-day.— i am, ole., P. Nku.sox. November 21.