dNelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1936 A MEMORABLE THREE MONTHS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 11 June 1936, Page 6

dNelson Evening Mail THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 1936 A MEMORABLE THREE MONTHS

NEW ZEALAND to 25th Parliament it about to go into recess on the completion or the first three months oi its opening session. The country hat had its first experience of the Labour Party in office. It has witnessed the enactment of the first—and perhaps the main— instalments oi legislation designed to achieve the Socialist objective of the new Government, which claims it has a mandatt from the people to bring that policy into force. For reasons we have frequently stated we are confident tha. claim is ill-l'oundcd. That the Government has some ideals to which most people will subscribe is generally admitted. Unfortunately in seeking attainment of those ideals it has, to a very great extent, paid attention to the immediate interests of one section only and has disregarded the fact that such legislation may do grave injury to other interests with the. result that the people the Government seeks to help may suffer serious consequences. This point we have endeavoured to stress as portions of the Government’s policy programme were being dealt with by Parliament. In earlier times there used to be a Labour slogan that “an injury to one i; an injury to all.” That slogan ha; an application to-day to some of the Government’s legislation, despite its idealism. A large amount of the old Statute books has been re-written. Control of currency and credit has been taken, working hours are to be reduced, there is to be a basic wage fixed by Statute and not by the Arbitration Court; unlimited powers of borrowing and lending are being assumed; primary products are to be acquired at a “guaranteed price”— and the dairy industry is to be tried out as a first experiment—and, to mention but one more subject, broadcasting over the air, is to come under

the complete control of the Government, which is placing political publicity in the forefront as one of its main activities. All this is heading towards the establishment of a Dictatorship which has been opposed strenuously by all parties in Britain, and we feel sure will not be acceptable to the majority of New Zealanders. It will be readily admitted by all, that the Government in the opening three months of its first session has put up a remarkable record in legislative achievement, even if much of its legislation has been unpalatable to many and been based upon lines far too experimental. The Prime Minister made no secret of the Government’s aim. “We want the power to do anything.” he declared. He has legislated accordingly, and the public must rest content with his assurance that the power given will be used carefully. We do not doubt his good intentions, but we do doubt the wisdom of some of his enactments. Moreover, good intentions do not always lead to the pre-desired destination. The country can but live in hopes. Meanwhile Parliament is going into recess. Ministers, if not members, are in need of a respite. It is very doubtful if Ministers themselves will get it. Although they will be relieved of the necessity of attending to active Parliamentary duties, they will be engaged upon the preparation of further legislation in view of the resumption of the session on 21st July. In addition, there will be consideration of the Budget and estimates and detailed proposals connected therewith. Mr Savage has announced that legislation will be prepared providing for the readjustment of mortgages (in which great care will have to be exercised in order to ensure that injustice is not done), the restoration of wage-cuts to date from Ist July; the increase of pensions, and the payment of pensions to invalids from the same date. Important administrative measures will also be undertaken such as the prevention of unfair rises in prices and the encouragement of the establishment of new industries. These are all desirable objectives if the Government adheres to its leader’s promise to move carefully. On the financial side the Government is apparently depending upon its control of the Reserve Bank, of currency and credit. The outcome will be awaited with the greatest interest, but not without a good deal of anxiety.