“THE GREATEST GOOD"

Grey River Argus, 21 November 1946, Page 2

“THE GREATEST GOOD "

Written history is, in part, a record of man’s search for food, shelter and raiment —of man against beast and man against man; in a word, struggle. Man has fought fire, flood, earthquake and famine. He has built hospitals, cathedrals and schools; invented machine, radio and many other devices that give substance to the claim that he has advanced a long way on 1 the road to civilisation. Has he? WhaS are his moral gains? Does he say with Cain, “I am not my brother’s keeper.” It is a sad commentary that man, after centuries of experience, still struggles against man and for no other reason than economic gain. This country has gone through the same painful experience as other lands and suffered from lock-outs, strikes, depressions and the results of wars. It was, 'in fact, the great depression of the “hungry thirties” that caused the majority of thei people to give a mandate to the Labour Party to end misery and want. They did so in the hope, of obtaining a government that would put the needs of the people above all else—a government that would make provision for the aged, sick and needy, and that would appreciate the,worth of those who give useful service to the community. The Labour Government has done all this. It has been signally successful in fulfilling these conditions. Yet the election now being fought is merely the age-old struggle between Mammon and the people; in other words, a battle between money power and' those who represent it on the one hand, and Labour which represents those who perform useful services to the community, on the other. Mr Holland, Leader of the National Party, said: “We stand for Capitalism—good old Capitalism!’’ This is a plain statement and defines the issues at stake, becaues capitalism is money power; it represents the few against the many; it impedes progress. Soulless, hungry and devouring, it is the cause of wars, strikes and depressions. Thus there is no excuse for not understanding what the two parties stand for. Labour would go forward. The National Party would put the clock,back.