The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1938. The Soft Pedal Again

Northern Advocate, 1 October 1938, Page 6

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1938. The Soft Pedal Again

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MR. SAVAGE, at his meeting at Dunedin on Thursday night, again devoted part of his time to refuting the suggestion that the small farmer, the small business man, and, indeed, the people generally, have anything to fear from the Socialistic processes set in motion by the Labour Government. “I would like to know what is going to happen to those people when we Socialise them,” he said. “Will they be dumb and have nothing to say about it?”

Unfortunately, Socialism is not put into effect in one fell swoop, so to -Speak, nor does its introduction take the form of a dramatic and comprehensive change, having an immediate effect on the lives of all/ The method is more cunning and insidious. It takes the form of quiet, steady penetration—a little advance here, a dhange there, a restriction somewhere else. Its approach is unobstrusive but inexorable.

A great deal of the present Government’s legislation is Socialistic, but the full implications of it have not yet been realised by many people, possible because they have not yet felt its impact. There can be no cry from such people until it is too late. Indeed, the public as a whole, in a disciplined and well ordered community such as ours, is surprisingly mute and acquiescent, even in matters vitally affecting its own welfare. It is part of the tradition of democracy and good citizenship to accept the Government’s decrees, even though they are perhaps unpalatable. Surely, Mr Savage does not suggest that, if at any time a section of the community resents the Government’s policy, it should assume an attitude of open defiance.

One important section of the community, the medical profession, has already expressed itself emphatically about the Government’s plans for its future, which amount to socialisation and nothing else. Mr. Savage, however, has shown little disposition to heed the protests of the .doctors against proposals that completely alter the whole outlook for medical practice in New Zealand. There is not much likelihood that he or his colleagues would pay any greater heed to the protests of any other section, if, or when, the time came to Socialise it.

At the moment, of course, the doctors still have some freedom of choice in the matter. They can say whether they prefer to remain in private practice or whether they wish to participate in the Government scheme, A canvass of the intention of its members, conducted by the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association reveals that less than fifty doctors right through New Zealand have any present intention of participating in the scheme. This means that unless compulsion is applied, the scheme must ignominously fail. There is little doubt that compulsion will be applied. -

It is futile for Mr. Savage to deny that Socialisation is the policy of his party. Its fundamental objective, “the Socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange,” is still there, and still binding. If he wishes to show his sincerity and convince all 'the people that complete Socialism is not Labour’s ultimate goal, let him have that clause deleted at once.