Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1943. STATE CONTROL—OR FREEDOM?

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 September 1943, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1943. STATE CONTROL—OR FREEDOM?

will be lhe sighs of relief, among candidates and electors alike, that the election campaign has ended. Of the making of speeches there has been no end, and there can be few of the enfranchised ignorant of the main issues. It is to be hoped that the pollings to-morrow, will approach a record. The duty Io vote, —and as early as possible,—is clear, and should not be ignored. The tendency of Parliaments to prolong their own duration is dangerous, and should be checked. If a large proportion of the enrolled refrain from exercising their franchise privileges, when given lhe opportunity, this apathy supplies a strong argument for those who would deprive the people of the right to elect al due date.

Nothing developed during the candidates’ campaign to alter the primary fact that the main question before the electors to-morrow is whether they prefer the growth of State control, by various forms of Socialism, or the restoration of individual freedom, long a British right. The war’s needs compelled some temporary surrender of (he people’s rights, but with peace should come abolition of most of the new control by the State, especially as “ the State” inevitably means a few dictators, with or without special qualifications for such assumed responsibilities. Labour is frank about the intention to develop the control policy, and if the Party obtains a. majority to-morrow, it will be encouraged to go full steam ahead on the dictatorial rails. If the electors wish to be restricted here, there and everywhere, they should vote Labour. If they prefer reasonable freedom their only hope of getting it is to vote Nationalist.

An important thing to remember too, is that the new Parliament will have to shape the post-war plans of the Dominion, and this means finding a solution of many difficulties that must arise. The Nationalists. certainly, have a greater number of men qualified for such a task than has Labour. The country’s war effort will not be affected whatever the result of the election. Such effort, to date, has been an all-Party affair, and if Nationalist appeals had been answered. Ilie country would have had an all-Parly Ministry, such as Britain enjoys. Air. Fraser, in his address last evening, claimed that Labour should be given the credit of the national war effort, but that claim was not playing the game. His inference that Tokio and Berlin are gravely concerned about the result of to-morrow’s pollings was absurd, nor is it likely that Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt are more than politely interested. As for the prospects, the prophets appear to base their estimates on hopes and wishful thinking, which may. or may not, materialise. Who can say what effect the large number of “ Independent candidates” will have? Vote-splitting is inevitable, and the Nationalists may be the hardest hit through this. During the five years since the previous general election, thousands of young people have reached voting age, and who they will support is mere conjecture. The women's vote too. Avid probably be influenced less by Party, to-morrow, the cost of living and restricted household supplies swaying their decision. Generally, the result appears to be open. There is no doubt that the Nationalists gained considerably during the campaign, and Labour’s one-time confidence has been shaken. In Westland, Mr. Chivers has demonstrated that he is worthy of support, and it is to be hoped that he will receive it in full, to-morrow. Little interest has been aroused in connection with the licensing poll, but all should vote on this matter, even if none of the three issues on the ballot paper is to their liking. Support for the Nationalist candidate would be a vote for a full impartial inquiry into the whole business of licensed premises. Mr. Holland made this clear in his policy speech. Mr. Fraser has made a last-hour promise to do something similar, but it is wiser to trust the Nationalists in this, as in most matters.