Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1946. Socialism, Shops and Other Things

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 October 1946, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1946. Socialism, Shops and Other Things

did Labour change its mind and its policy? Mr. Semple declares that, the opponents of the Government have “hoisted a bogyman —nationalisation and State ownership. ” They brand the Government, he says, as “a voracious monster devouring large and small businesses and recklessly destroying private initiative.” • The whole theme of their claim is “preposterous.”

So speaks Mr. Semple. But is it not Mr. Semple who is being “preposterous”? The Government’s declared objective has long been “Socialism in our time.” Indeed, as we have had occasion to remind Labour propagandists recently, the Labour Party at its annual conference only eleven months ago decided to -fight the coming election on the issue of “ultimate Socialism.”- Can it be that the leopard has changed its spots? Or is it a case of Labour, discerning among the people a definite swing away from its Leftist policy, has decided that after all it would not be politically safe at this critical juncture openly to avow its Socialistic aim? But glib assurances are not sufficient. Past experience of the Government has shown the foolishness of accepting such utterances'at their face value. Labour’s Appeal.

Mr. Semple’s words are equalled in their honeyed appeal only by those of a local Labour propagandist who the other day declared that “it is not an argument against the policy of the Government to say that the best guarantee ol freedom is private property.” Indeed, that claim is as 'weakly based as Mr. Semple’s assurance that it is not the Government s intention “to tinker -with shopkeeping.” The facts speak for themselves. Dlr. Semple is Minister of Housing Construction, and as the holder of that portfolio is responsible for the creation of the new State suburbs.

If New Zealanders do not wish to be further restricted in how, when and where they spend their wages, the Governmentsponsored co-operative stores in these new suburbs should be regarded with suspicion. The co-operative principle is a well-established feature of economic life, but there is a difference between a cooperative store competing with other shops and the monopoly co-operatives of the Government’s scheme. In the former case, people are better served in the range, quality and prices of goods simply be--cause there is competition for their patronage. Where there is a monopoly there develops a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. It does not matter whether the particular concern is privately owned, State owned or co-operatively owned. With the putting into full effect of the Government’s scheme, the residents of State suburbs will be compelled to deal at the local co-opera-tive store or suffer the inconvenience of having to travel to other districts to do their shopping.

Rights of Citizens.

Another aspect of the question concerns the right of any citizen to seek a livelihood by giving service to the people. No Government or State Department, or a minority of enthusiasts has a moral right to enclose any residential area against the enterprise of a fellow New Zealander. Much less have they a right to restrict the opportunities for the rehabilitation in their own businesses of returned servicemen who have the desire and initiative to set up shops for themselves. Instead of being restricted to the management or the role of assistant in a State-sponsored monopoly, co-operative store, there should be the warmest welcome for any man who has saved enough and is sufficiently cred-it-worthy to start a business on his own account.

So much for Mr. Semple’s claim that the Government’s policy is to encourage private enterprise. Labour/is given to criticising its opponents for allegedly commandeering planks from its platform. It would seem that the boot has undergone the simple process of being transferred to the other foot. Despite Labour’s efforts to beguile the electors, however, the issue remains unchanged. It is a mo mentous question- —whether to go on to wards the complete Socialist State, t e foundations of which have already i laid, or to swing back to the political Centre. The trend of-the electors’ opinion is in the latter direction. If an 5 P r °o were needed, it is to be found in Labour s election tactics. But a cloven hoof is sti a cloven hoof, even if it is encased in a velvet boot.