THE RULE OF LAW

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 227, 24 August 1945, Page 4

THE RULE OF LAW

OBEDIENCE IN DEMOCRACY.

NATIONAL PARTY VIEWS. WELLINGTON Aug 23. Speaking of the philosophy and pm ciples of the National l'afty, i« « 1 andress at the conference of the pai y today, Mr W. J'. Sim, lv.C., tne president, said New Zealand m her postwar years would be given a new 11 tunity to buiid a party through all shades of progressive political and social thought might had express on, and in which it was hoped the sectionalism which had disfigured and divided New Zealand in recent yeais mignt tend to disappear. ~ “As the sheet anchor to Democracy, lie said, “we place absolute emphasis upon obedience by the subject to tne rule of law, and its enforcement by the executive. The law oi h nr is there to be ecforced without tear

or favour regardless of the wrongdoc • The decision to put the machinery or enforcement into operation should as automatic ss the decision of tne Courts themselves in enforcing tn law. This can be the only sure guide through times of stress and L ‘ ll ® l ®' When the law and its enforcement has been vindicated, there is provision o clemency in the remission of penalties, but that is a different matter. “Passing from the general to the particular,” he continued, “it is tne function of the Parliamentary leader, rather than mine, to elaborate in due course and at the right time the details of proposed future development, and these musfj necessarily be deter-

mined with reference to the state or affairs externally and internally at tne moment when the country cares to commit its future to the National Party. In a rapidly changing world, and one in which the domestic economy of nations becomes increasingly lntei- ; locked in a co-operative whole, it is i inadvisable to affirm too rigidly today what course is to be followed in, sa>, 12 months’ time. It may be affirmed, however, that the emphatic policy of

the party is and always will be progressive and forward-looking, and one not wedded to any particular theory or political obsession. We offer no fixed blueprint of the future. Primarily we seek to build every New Zealander and encourage’ him with new hope to contribute his best to the welfare of New Zealand, believing that if every New Zealander is encouraged to cultivate and give the best that is in him a social organism will result wherein political growth is inevitable according to the wisdom of a British people. We seek also to create again the secur-

ity that what a New Zealander of every class has he may hold, and in every way to encourage the building of more for himself and his children. The creation of individual prosperity or wealth, within reasonable limits, shall be a commendable act in New Zealand, not something to be discouraged by taxation and deprecated by social thought directed towards that end. FUTURE OF TAXATION. “With regard to taxation, we consider that it is now as imperative to reduce taxation in the interests of the whole community, and to further without delay the prosperity of peace, as

it was imperative to impose it in time of war. This can be done, we consider, in a reasonable measure without delay. Another practical step which I feel confident this conference will endorse is that housewives should forgo the joys of the Internal Marketing operations, and in tlieir place receive delivered at their doors abundant supplies o'f New Zealand’s products, and at prices which will fit the family purse. The housing question should be attacked with all the energy and means of private enterprise and facilitated in every way by the State. The commercial world is entitled to have a comprehensive review of the operations of the Industrial Efficiency Act, and insofar as it promotes inefficiency or retards expansion its powers are due to be curtailed. Our object must be prompt decontrol, consistent with State cooperation when private enterprise requires and asks for such co-operation to render its necessary service to the community.

“In international matters,” he concluded, “we should endeavour to lead New Zealand in playing a worthy part m tilt maintenance of peace, but remembering always that we are a member of the British Empire or Commonwealth of Nations, the unity of which is still a paramount necessity in world affairs. In trade matters with England we give first- place to the consideration that she is still our best customer.”