EVERYBODY’S LOSS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1933, Page 8

EVERYBODY’S LOSS

In his defence of politicians and statesmen Lord Snell, .when speaking at the institute" of .Pacific ■ Relations lOcnference, apparently overlooked modem democracy's need far a joss to-whip. When things go wrong dictators did experts do not easily accept this role. If only for this reason one ca'n agree with Lord Shell that the people of the world would be dll-advised to place their lives under the control of a dictatorship, either of a single political adventurer or a group of experts. As a. former Fnibriari lecturer’ however, L<Wd Snell comes near to classification with the experts. 'He was one of the intellectuals of the .Labour' movement; hut he may .ndw classify' himself as a politician and/or statesman. Were it not for the wish and the need for someone to blame democracy, however, always inclines to dictatorship. Ruling ourselves is a \tnoutflesdme business, and' if we can find someone who “'from big Shoulders and upward b higher than any o'f the people” we are jus: as ready as the ancient Israelites to accept a Saul the son of Kish. New Zealand, a most democratic Dominion, has afforded a striking example. Almost thirty years ago rn observant I man was interested to note that the 'Colony was governed by a man who “was accused of having become a perfect dictator,” -(to quote the “Evening Post”).

When one spoke of the New Zealand Cabinet, it was understood that one meant the Premier, for lie was himself the whale Cabinet ; he had some colleagues for form’s sake, but he did and directed everything himself, was the real master of the 'country, the “King Dick,” as he was called, of the Colony. Mr Downie Stewart commented upon Mi Siegfried’s deep interestin. this strange phenomenon of a people, the most democratic in the world, allowing themselves to be governed by a dictator in the person of vSeddon. He added a neat explanation. Such a conjunction is only another illustration of Morley’s remarks on Cromwell: “He wa, 3 ■ never much of a democrat, but the same may be s aid of many, of those whom democracy has used to do its business.” b

Duly one condition .its made by democracy for its. dictators : they mpst measure up to standard. Dietato"pbip by Seddon my be acceptable ; but small-size imitators are not y-oViOTriel If 'government is to be muddled democracy ....can. .manage that by dtself.