"UNPALATABLE TRUTHS."

Evening Star, Issue 25750, 25 March 1946, Page 8

"UNPALATABLE TRUTHS."

■ TO THE EDITOR. fsi r) The public statements made after' the Raglan election by Mr Walsh, a leader of the Labour Party, and supported by Mr Nash, the Minister of Finance, and Mr Sullivan, another Minister, are disconcerting and significant. The statements visualise a dark outlook upon the economic situation. They have come as a warning, with " unpalatable truths " which extremists and hlind party supporters resent. Mr Walsh has been apparently the mouthpiece of the Government for making the public statements and suggesting a policy which should be fol-

i lowed to save the emergence of grave economic conditions: which threaten to ultimately crush the., vitality and undermine the strength of, New. Zealand. Every thoughtful person recognises that there has been a massive Governmental waste of public money going on for long, such as commissions to find a policy for the Government, injections of Government subsidies and grants to placate pressure groups, overseas jaunts, with expert advisers and advertisers, special air planes, appointments of ambassadors, with expensive staffs, travelling expenses of Ministers electioneering, more appointments to the useless Upper House, and " cushy " billets of all kinds for supporters. The war boom is passing away, and the big streams of w moneys that flowed freely through the country are gradually being reduced. No one who is not a oueeyed party machine barracker but sees that we have grave, unsettled conditions, industrial disorder, and repercussions from some far-reaching legislation and centralisation. There is in every country need from time to time for reforms and schemes in accordance with the progressive growth of political democratic thought; but experience proves that for solid and abiding progress drastic reforms and big, far-reaching changes should be made by evolutionary, gradual stages, and intermittent. There is no upsetting in the process much more than is desirable and of beneficial interest, which should be retained. Unbridled extremism has had its brief periods of dramatic triumph, but enlightened moderation has its centuries of fruitful service and 'nonparaded, yet dominating power. It makes sure* that social schemes and reform structures are securely based on enduring financial foundations. Moderation holds fast to ethical and spiritual values. The safety of the world and happiness of the nations depend upon the supremacy of moderate minds, with their moderate measures and tolerant attitudes, which are the ner-1 manent bases of true wisdom. .That which attains a speedy growth is destined to a brief existence.—T am, etc.. Sanity, Justice, and Progress. March 23.