YOUNG VOTERS AND THE FUTURE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 November 1928, Page 6

YOUNG VOTERS AND THE FUTURE

THERE is one feature of Sir Joseph Ward's grandiose financial electioneering scheme which should not be allowed to jass without comment. No doubt the ix Premier's appeal was made to the younger, rather than to tho older, elecors. It is to the younger electors, more particularly those who will shortly be •asling their votes for the first time, ,hat we would point out the fact that it is to their interest more than to the inerest of their seniors, to oppose strenuiusly the financial proposals referred to. f Sir Joseph Ward were successful in lersuading the country to endorse his icheme, it would take at least eight or en years to carry it through. During hat time, if his methods of raising the oans succeeded and plentiful and cheap 'loney were available—we say "if" adisedly—it would create a boom, as is •lways the case when a heavy borrowng policy is indulged in by a nation, hit when the borrowed money is spent, nd the time comes to consider repayment, the boom invariably bursts, and ' followed by a slump which usually

•eates a financial crisis. In any case, ir Joseph's seventy millions would be)ine a burden on the national revenues. t, cannot bo raised without expense.

nd here it is we wish to make our point. Tho process of Borrow-Boom-and ,

Burst would probably take twelve to twenty years, from start to finish, and during that time the oldest generation of electors would have passed away. The aftermath of the financial orgy would have to be met by those electors who to-day are middle-aged or young; but principally it would be those who are young to-day who would be destined to carry the final burden. They would have to carry it for a long time. They would nover be able to get rid of the inheritance of debt and trouble which had been left them. No doubt the older electors will reject the fantastic proposals—they will perceive their danger. Yet as a matter of fact they are still more dangerous to the younger electors, since to thorn would fall the greater part of the duty of "paying the piper."