THE INDEPENDENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 303, 20 November 1935, Page 8

THE INDEPENDENTS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —After reading and hearing so much about the superlative qualities of the Independent of late, and of how imperative it is that we the electors of New Zealand should see to it that the Independents are elected to Parliament, this time to pull the country out of its present mess, I was very anxious to see the returns of the British elections, thinking naturally that the same school of thought would be operating there in support of the Independents, more so than here because of Britain’s vast ecoi*.imie and social problems to tackle and her teeming millions of people to cater for as against our modest population here of one million and a half. I was amazed to find that instead of a huge increase in their number being elected to Parliament, it remained as of yore—just one solitary Daniel untainted with party servitude among six hundred odd definite party “sheep,” supposedly mesmerised by their respective party leaders and led to act and think to order, and these helpless political creatures denied the right to express their own private opinion or assert their will power. Is it burlesque or tragic? In my opinion, sir, it suggests that the electors of Britain realise that there are only two political forces of import, Capital and Labour, and they also realise the helplessness and hopelessness of the Independents being any power in the House, hence the result. There are about thirty so-called Independents standing for Parliament in New Zealand, but how many are true to type? Most of them have had a slight tiff with their leaders and are a little sulky about it, but they are as loyal to their party as ever they were and on a no-confidence motion they would certainly vote for the National Party. Let us take two of the Independent luminaries—Air Lysnar and Sir Alexander Herdman. AVe know the party nearest their hearts; they have introduced a political paradox by hoping there will be sufficient Independents elected to form a- new party. If to be an Independent and of a party new or old is not a paradox 1 should say it was a good imitation. In regard to Mr Mansford’s meeting and lack of criticism of his policy, the reason for this lack is obvious; there is so little policy to criticise. AVhat there is of it are remnants of the Labour Party’s policy, at least as far as Air Alansford’s opening address at the Opera House is concerned; but of course now it is quite fashionable to emulate the Labour Party and its policy. Maybe a little camouflage here and tliere ; it wouldn’t do to make it too conspicuous. However, the time is drawing near when we shall have to decide which way to go; vain regrets after the 27th of this month will be useless. One correspondent has given reasons for his voting for Air Alansford. AVith your permission, sir, 1 will give mine for not voting for Air Alansford. I am going to vote for Air Hodgens, the Labour candidate, because he stands now as he and his colleagues have always stood, for the uplift of his fellows and for the general happiness of human society, and as an old identity of the Labour movement I still cling to the old idea—that old friends are the truest friends.—l am,etc.,

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