The Hawera Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1931. BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS.

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 25 August 1931, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1931. BRITISH POLITICAL CRISIS.

Delivered every evening: by 6 o'olock in Eawera, Manaia, Kaupokonui. Otakeho, Oeo, Pikama. Opunake, Normanby. Okaß ana Eltnain. Ngaere, Mangatoki, KapoDga. Awatuna. Te Kiri, Mataoe, lowfrarth. Manutahi, Kakaramea, Alton. Hurley ville, Patea. Wbenuakura. Waverley, Mokoia, Wbakamara, Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Boad. and Ararata.

The political crisis in the Old Country provides the most momentous news which the Dominions have, received from England for many a long day. • The downfall of the Labour Government, the threat that hangs over British credit, and the future policy of the succeeding Government are matters fraught with most vital consequences to this Dominion. in common with all other parts of the Empire. The situation, as it affects the three main political Da r ties in the House of Commons, is not easy to comprehend at first glance and at this distance from the scene, but it can be best understood by seeking a parallel with the trend of political events here. In England, as in New Zealand, there is a pressing need to balance a budget, and that need, for the moment at least, transcends all party loyalties and prejudices. Air MacDonald and his Cabinet have closed their eyes to the inevitable as long as possible, but economies which will threaten the -working classes have been forced upon a Government -which has hitherto regarded taxation of the upper and middle classes as an illimitable source of wealth. The Government's unfavourable reception of all investigators’ and advisers’ recommendations aiming at a reduction of social service benefits has shown clearly how reluctant the Government was to offend the Trade Union Council, the “Parliament” of trade unionism and the head and front of the “machine” which stands behind the Parliamentary Labour Party. As in Australia, and in New Zealand, the Home Parliamentary Labour Party is not a free agent, but is responsible to the representatives of trade unionism. Australia has for years been giving us ugly examples of the depths to which the democratic system of government can be dragged when it gets into the hands of people who legislate onlj' for a class, and now Great Britain —“Conservative England”—has given us another. The Trade Union Council is no longer subtle in its methods. It has had its own Government in power so long that it feels competent to withdraw its fist from the velvet [ glove. To-day’s cables quote a Trade Union Council official as saying: “This Government was elected by a class to defend a class and at the first big test it runs to make terms with other parties.” There we have a true representation of the results of class government. The general welfare means nothing if the immediate - interests of a class are affected. It calls for statesmanship to build carefully towards a goal providing a better England for all classes, and such methods are slow and dangerous to the privileges of those who have fought their way from obscurity to power by I trade unionism. Air MacDonald and his Cabinet, are mostly patriotic men. They love their country, as do other Englishmen. It is reported to-day that the Prime Alinister is showing the results of strain, emotional as well as mental, and it must be a terrific blow to his idealism to llml that the system which he has helped to build has grown too big in numbers for him to control and that idealism has given place to a hard and relentless grasping for power and privilege. If he has “run to other parties’’ to make terms it is because ho is an Englishman first and a. Labour politician second —and the nation should be grateful for that, however much it may deplore the results of combined Lai tour idealism and- ruthlessness. If the Prime Alinister of England had been a Lang, the world would have seen to-day the beginning of disintegration of an Empire with heaven alone knows what consequent disaster to the peace and comparative well-being of- the world. The position is serious, but it is not. so bad as it would have been if a complete egotist had boon in power backed by a gang of would-be revolutionaries. It is depressing enough to read what “The Times” has to say about the collapse of British credit; Great Britain’s pride has never had sueß a blow since .she became the.

Mother Country of a great Empire. But j the fact that all’ parties of the House of Commons are prepared to rally round the Government and help it to implement a policy of economy which the Government by itself was helpless to adopt in the face of the T.U.C. opposition, provides good reasons for the nation’s retention of confidence. Ways and means will have to bo found for Great Britain to stabilise her financial position, but they cannot be found so long as the Government is dominated by a section of powerful trade unionists, who cry "hands off the class you were elected to look after. ’ ’ A sound government, like an honest politician, places the interests of his country before the interest of a class or an indidividual. Politicians and parties may differ regarding the best policy to pursue in the interests of the whole, but so long as it is the w T hole, and not a class, that they wrangle over, the political health of the country will remain sound, despite the mistakes which may occur in administration. The latest move at Home is a move back to that healthy basis from which Parliament can legislate for an England which occupies a unique place in the affairs - of the nations, instead of shaping her affairs as though she were, first and- last, the home of‘the Trade - Union - Council and the classes represented and dominated by that powerful, political machine. .