THE DEMOCRATIC IDEAL.

Evening Star, Issue 22688, 30 June 1937, Page 10

THE DEMOCRATIC IDEAL.

Ix the course of an address at Whangarei yesterday the Acting Prime Minister, referring to recent events in Europe, said that democracy was in danger of being scrapped through the rise of dictatorships and militarism. That is indisputable. In the same breath the Minister spoke of New Zealand as the most democratic country in the world. When the present political devc’ laments are considered, it is reasonable to ask' Mr Fraser if our democratic system is safe. It is quite true that the Labour Government is opposed to militarism in all its forms, though its leaders now agree that, to use Mr Fraser’s own words, “ New Zealand must play her part in contributing to the maintenance and safeguarding of the British Commonwealth, the greatest force upholding democracy.” It is not suggested for a moment that the Government would seek to maintain its power and gain its ends by physical force. There has been no indication whatever of a desire on the part of Ministers to depart from the principles of parliamentary government as expressed in the franchise of one person, one vote. To make that point clear is only fair. In Germany, Italy, Russia, and other European Powers the dictatorships involve the strictest regimentation of the people. They are free in no department of life. This is a condition to be avoided at all costs. Those people who have these things in mind have an uneasy feeling over, the trend of affairs in New Zealand. The present Government received a mandate from the electors to conduct the political affairs of the country, hut it is doubtful if more than a very few of the voters realised to the full the implications of the policy in store for them. It is a departure from the traditional principles of parliamentary administration and a venture into uncharted seas. It is the beginning of a plan having for its object complete control of the monetary system and of the industries of the country. This is a repudiation of th© competitive system under private enterprise, by means of which the country’s prosperous condition lias been developed. Efficiency and success in business are dependent on competitive enterprise, and will never lie attained by an army of State-paid servants. Two motives actuated Ministers in initiating their policy. One was to improve the social conditions and the .standard ol living

of the people, and the other was the ambition to set an example to the world. Both of these desires are laudable in themselves, but they are not possible of permanent achievement by the methods that aro being employed. Since it took office the Government has been favoured by the buoyancy of the revenues due to improved conditions throughout the Empire. This has enabled large sums to be spent in uneconomic public works, such as railway construction, and in doubtful housing schemes. Expenditure at this rate cannot go on indefinitely. Our prosperity is wrapped up, as in the past, in the prices we receive for our exports, and any unfavourable change in that part of our trade must inevitably have an effect similar to that which occurred in 1930. The well-being of the people of New Zealand is dependent on freedom and efficiency in the conduct of the primary and secondary industries. The time has not yet come when State dictatorship in these matters can achieve satisfactory results.