Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 30 August 1938, Page 6

Readers Write

While rubber-tyred milk floats are undoubtedly quieter thaji iron-shod vehicles would be, the milkmen will not be able to emuMILK FLOATS, late the Navy,

which is known as the “Silent Service,” until their' horses are fitted with rubber shoes. It would be more satisfactory, both for the sleeping public and for the horses, if such hoofwear was universally adopted. Far too many fine animals have been ruined through slipping on the bitumen surface of our streets. It should not be beyond the originality of our great inventors to hit upon something of this nature.— "EARLY MORNING NAPPER.”

Some few weeks ago, an article ap-. peared in your columns, “The Lab-] our Party’s Objective and Platform,” | by Mr W. H.' VITAL ELECTION Hemingway! ISSUES. which is to be' commended for its constructive criticism, and its freedom from the narrow and bitter party viewpoint. The duty is pressing for every elector to give earnest thought to ithe political for probably at no other time in the Dominion’s history, have such vital and farreaching issues confronted the electors as in the coming election. Opposition writers and speakers are issuing warnings against the Socialistic trend of the present Government. In this connection it should be pointed out htat Socialises enterprises have been part of the Dominion’s life for years. For instance, while in Great Britain and the United States, the railways are run by private companies; and in the States even the telephones; in New Zealand these are run by the State as public utilities. Few would wish it otherwise, as under State management, these facilities are established and run as utilities for the public benefit, whether they pay or not, and hence, prove an immeasureable boon in developing the country and providing access and communication for the people. In many cases, if it had been left' for private enterprise to establish these for commercial profit, well, they would never have been established at all!

The Government supervision of the dairy industry, including the grading system for export, introduced many years ago by the Liberal Government of the d'ay, did much towards establishing the quality of New Zealand butter and cheese and securing overseas markets; and, during the regime of succeeding Reform and Nationalist Governments, further Socialistic measures were introduced: the Dairy, Meat, Wheat, Fruit and Honey Boards were brought into vogue to control primary industries. On the whole, the restriction and control exercised have Secured orderly marketing and proved beneficial to these industries, which are so vital to New Zealand’s prosperity. In addition, State timber mills and coal mines took some share in industry.

Side by side with Government policy, wh'at might be termed district or local Socialism has played a leading part in developing industry; cooperative dairy companies, freezing 'and auctioneering companies, and the Pig Marketing Association are nothing more nor less than internal groups of people working the Socialist principle, who pool their efforts and production in a common fund, and under careful management for mutual benefit.

Under the Dabour Government, much of whose social and humanitarian legislation calls for our admiration, it must be granted that the swing towards Socialism has been more marked, as witness the taking full control of the purchase and marketing of dairy produce (which, on the whole, they have made a good job of), the nationalisation of the iron and steel industry, control of industries generally through the Bureau of Industries, partial 'acquisition of transport services, and proposed Socialisation of the medical profession under the Social Security Bill. Whether the Government is going too far and too fast, whether it needs a wholesome brake in the placing in Parliament of a contingent of Nationalist and Independent members, is for the intelligence of the Dominion electorate to decide. But I would point out that the question for consideration is not whether Socialistic measures shall be actually introduced into New Zealand. As a matter of fact, we are already living under a number of them, introduced, strangely enough by previous Liberal, Reform, or Nationalist Governments. The question is rather, how far do the electors wish Socialism to go? And on this point, it would be well for them to question the Labour candidates as to the Government’s legislative intentions. The measure of Socialism, now in operation, is in many ways, but not all, largely beneficial; but if Labour goes on to nationalise the land, and to run all the farms and shops as State enterprises, I am 'afraid they are riding for a fall. Under Labour regime in Australia Government ventures in State shipping services, retail business, fruitcanning, etc., showed heavy financial losses, and the lesson of experience is emerging that there are some services and industries which Governments can well manage, and some they cannot. —HENRY HOOK (Paparoa).