THE ELECTION ISSUE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 245, 14 September 1938, Page 8

THE ELECTION ISSUE.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Now that the election is looming on the horizon, it is interesting to find certain politicians and their paid agitators looking around for an election issue. I saw a cartoon the other day depicting the “squared circle” of the wrestling ring, with the Leader of the Opposition flying through the air dressed in suitable wrestling garb, giving an exhibition of a drop-kick which would make “Jumping Joe” Savoldi turn green with envy. A spectator asks: “Is this an exhibition of shadow-wrestling?” “Good heavens, no! This is the bout of the season between the National Champion and the Socialist Menace.” The point of the cartoon lies in the fact that the “National Champion” is alone in the ring. Professor Algie is reported as saying at the Opera House last night; “The outstanding question facing the elector's this year is whether we are to have Socialism or not.” I understand that Professor Algie is paid to put the case for Mr Hamilton’s party under the guise of the Auckland Freedom Association. Why, then, should he use the identical language and arguments in favour of Mr Hamilton’s party which were used against Mr Hamilton’s party at the last election by the present members of Mr Hamilton's party? Get this one from a speech reported September 18, 1935: “It is an open secret among those who know,” Mr Hislop declared, “that the principal advisers of the present Government are three gentlemen outside Parliament, who are convinced Socialists. The fruits of their advice are apparent, and will become increasingly apparent if the Government (the Coates-Forbes-Hamilton combine, etc.) is allowed to remain in office. It is clear that were the Democrat Party not in the field a triumph for Socialism would be assured a.t the coming election.” So we find that the Socialist bogey which the Opposition is using against the Government was used against them when they were the Government. It was also used against the previous Government led by Sir Joseph Ward. An extract from the “Standard,” August 26, 1908, reads: “On the suggestion of the president (Chamber of Commerce) a resolution had been passed, ‘That steps be taken to stop the spread of Socialism in New Zealand.’ ” ' It was used against the Ballance-Seddon Government, the Cabinet of which was referred to as the “Seven devils of Socialism.” Clearly, then, this ancient bogey which dates back to 1891, in spite, of the fact that it is a quiet old hobby horse for inefficient politicians to ride, cannot he the election issue. In . spite of their delving into the “past utterances” of members of the Government Mr Hamilton’s party did not make it an election issue at .the last election. Speaking to the Canterbury branch of the National Political Federation in 1935, Mr Adam Hamilton, then Post-master-General, said; “The monetary system, guaranteed-prices to farmers, and unemployment relief would he the big issues between the opposing parties.” At the same date and place Mr Hamilton said that “unemployment was a tough problem. It nearly knocked me out.” (As a matter of fact it quite knocked his combination out.) What, then, is the real issue? The members of the Opposition did not vote against the social security scheme, but would they allow the Act to remain on the Statute Book if they gained control of the Government? Mr Holland supplies the answer. Speaking in Fairlie, he said: “The National Party would establish a Ministry of Social Welfare, one object being the improvement of the health and wellbeing of women and

children, etc. In addition it would provide a complete free health service for that section of the community unable to pay. ’ So the cat’s out of the ” a £- . s those matters are already provided for in the Social Security Act, it would be nebessary to repeal that Act in order to bring in his partial scheme. So one of the issues of i e ® lec^ions w ’d certainly he whether the Social Security Act stands as part of the laws of New Zealand.—l am, etc., ,

V. A. CHRISTENSEN. 101 Heretaunga Street, Sept. 13. 1938. 1 ’