STOP THE DRIFT!

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1942, Page 7

STOP THE DRIFT!

I — I (To the Editor, Magazine Page). I Being a regular reader of your (Magazine Page and a casual contri(butor to its columns I would like to | preface what follows with a word of 'appreciation of the constructive najture of most of the articles .that appear in its columns from time to I time. What one can appreciate ■mostly is perhaps the solid workingIclass' utility of the Page generally, land its almost entire freedom from 'political rancour and personalities. Considering ttye crises of the war and the internal strife which has characterised the Labour movement during the last few years this is in itself remarkable.

In view, however, of the retreats and the shelving of progressive measures by the leaders of the political group, due in some measure to the war situation and the transfer of the people from a peace-time to a wartime economy this could hardly have been avoided. In the process many have found their activities disrupted and in some cases destroyed! These are the usual results of wars. As a result there is the usual crop of heart-burnings, more or less friendly recriminations, and some violent repercussions, of emotional strains. These unfortunately have found too wide an expression in some of our Labour journals. They have not tended to make the task of war-time economic construction any easier. Quite the reverse in fact, and these, and the disappointments to which I have referred have spread an atmosphere of defeatism and distrust.

Last night I listened to the radio report for the Temuka and the Hauraki Plains bye-elections. There was nothing inspiring in these reports to one who has worked all his life for Labour ideals. About 40 per cent, of the electors refrained from voting and the result is a slashing victory for the forces of reaction. There are perhaps some who can take consolation from the fact that the 40 per cent, did not vote and mav hug the illusion that these represent Labour voters who are not represented bv an official candidate. I am not one of those, nor can I cherish any such illusions. To me the plain reading of the result of the elections is that the voters are simply indifferent to the result and the Prime Minister’s “lady-bug” attitude has contributed in no small measure to the result. Be that as it may, there is not merely room for disquietude in the results but one for dismay. Those who can may console themselves and emulate the leader’s attitude, but count me out of that,

Let us cherish no illusions. The reconstruction of Labour as a fighting force is urgently necessary. Never more so, in fact, than at the present time.

In his article on the “Organisation of Manpower,” Mr J. S. Roscoe has laid |down some guiding principles for a war-time organisation of Labour where the political acumen that resides in a democracy can find a war-time outlet and expression in work and activities of a national and international character. The distressing inadequacy of the Home Guard, the indiscriminate calling up of men from essential industries needs the guidance and control that can come only from those whose close knowledge of local industrial conditions give them the first-hand knowledge that is so essential to the problem.

If we as a people allow the present drift to continue we shall very soon find ourselves minus a country to protect. Let us bestir ourselves as men and fight. I am etc./

G. L. BROOKER, Special School Otekaike, Feb. 8.