Let’s Talk This Matter Over

Northland Age, Volume 8, Issue 2, 12 October 1938, Page 3

Let’s Talk This Matter Over

iar Fellow Elector, DOLITICS! You are no doubt tired of the sound of the word and will be pleased when the election is over. The issues at stake, however, are too vital to act at the 11 without giving every aspect of what it involves full consideration. Let me introduce myself to you. lam not an extremist at dither end of the litical scale. I have lived and carried on my business amongst you in the Bay of ands for just on twenty years. Like most of my readers, lam sure, I want to do the rht thing at this election, and, from the cloud of radio, newspaper and speechifying aff, to find the grains of truth to guide me in placing my vote on October 15. The People's Welfare When I look back and remember the hard names given to what Mr. Poison rms the “old gang,” the present National Party, I must be excused for wondering ly a section of the community is clamouring to put them back again. I feel safe assuming that 90 per cent of the population has enjoyed better conditions since ibour took control. Yet it would appear that the remaining 10 per cent, who hold ntrol of the bulk of the finance, has created a feeling of doubt in the minds of any whether to vote for the happier conditions we are experiencing today with the larantee of better in the future, or be influenced by the gloomy predictions of the ational Party (preached by them prior to last election, but not experienced) of inkruptcy, demoralisation, etc. They have done this through clever manipulation of e press, house to house canvassers at £1 per day all over the country, speakers like rofessor Algie (supposed to be neutral but preaching National Party interests—l almost id policy, but none exists) at £4 per day, together with the many thousands of pounds >ent in newspaper advertising, booklets, etc. Even his political opponents give Mr. ivage and his ministers credit for being sincere in their endeavours, and what better undation to build on than that of sincerity. This sincerity is proved by the fact that ey have no axe to grind other than that of the welfare of the people. They are fighting at group of financiers who have a strangle-hold on this and every other country, and ho are financing the National Party in order to maintain the grip they know they are sing. Who Finances the National Party? Every sixpence received for the Labour Party fighting fund is acknowledged in e Standard newspaper. Do you ever see published who finances the National Party? lie half-crown collected for membership of the party mentioned would scarcely pay r. Algie’s four pounds a day. Experience has taught that financial institutions do >t issue money for the good of humanity. The Social Security Scheme Let us view for a moment the Social Security Scheme. The Government is iking for one shilling in the pound from wages to cover it. Prior to last election the inister of Finance worked out a programme of a guaranteed price for butter, increased ages, improved conditions in all directions, and carried them out successfully, notithstanding the cry from the present Opposition that it was impossible, the country ould be ruined, etc., etc. He now states he can see the way clear to finance the Social icurity Scheme through the wage tax of 1/- in the pound. In view of past performances, think the matter can be left safely in his hands. Let us review here what will be given t the present Government, and what was accomplished by the present Opposition, e National Party, when in power. The Labour Government will supply free medical tendance, increased pensions, every section of the community unable to earn sufficient l which to live decently to be provided for, and superannuation for everybody, regardless ' income. The proposed 30/- per week for the bulk of the people at the age of 60, and, ir those whose incomes do not warrant State assistance, at the age of 65, is only a start id the sum mentioned will be increased as the scheme consolidates and the national ealth increases as it does from year to year. Compare this with what the present pposition did when in power, for the same cost, 1/- in the pound wages tax. You know, ’ course, what was done. Men were paid a pittance to do any old thing provided they ;pt moving. In the cities squads of men were chipping grass at the roadside, pottering >out here, there and everywhere doing nothing of any national importance. There is > need to dwell on this subject; we all know too well what happened. The Opposition starting the old cry, “It can’t be done!” Mr. Nash has studied the position from ery aspect and states it CAN be done, and WILL be done if the present Government returned to power. The old slogan appears here, “Where there is the will, there is e way.” Opponents cry, “Where is the money to come from?” If the matter ncerned taking life by war instead of saving life and improving social conditions, no lestion in this direction would be asked and tens of millions would be found by them ith impunity. If I remember rightly the last war cost us eighty millions, another ould cost considerably more, yet a modest twenty millions for the benefits mentioned eates this uproar. The reason is simple. War opens the avenue for profiteering by g financiers; many of whom secured their big wads of today through this source from e last war. They have nothing to gain by the introduction of the Social Security :heme, therefore their representatives are told to Oppose, Oppose, Oppose. It’s an igodly world when you think and dig a little below the surface. Putting Christianity into Practice Recently the Press and canvassers have been introducing a new angle, that of

Christianity, speaking of the leader of the Opposition as a “True Christian gentleman.” If that title be warranted why is he not on the Labour benches assisting with the first real Christian effort to assist the sick, the poor, and those old-age mothers and fathers who cannot help themselves? Was not this example set by Christ? It is perhaps only a coincidence that the only ordained ministers in the House are Labour members. Every bishop and church leader speaks in turn from Station IZB at 9.45 p.m. on Sundays on “Social Justice,” and expounds ideas identical with what Labour is putting into practice. The Labour Party is endeavouring to introduce true Christian ethics by deeds, not words, and every “true Christian gentleman” should be behind them assisting in the work, not opposing. Co-operation is the secret of success today. Spread of the “Fear” Germ The National Party depends almost entirely on creating a feeling of fear in the minds of the public. To the city man it is said, “You will be taxed up to the hilt”; to the farmer, “They will grab your land.” All speakers and canvassers are instructed to keep on repeating it, and take no notice of the Government’s contradictions, the idea being that some at least will believe it if you say it often enough. The latest fear germ being introduced is the word, “Socialism.” The following epithets have been used and worn out: Bolshevik, Communist, Red Fed, and now comes Socialist. The endeavour is to connect the meaning of the word to that of “anarchist” to unthinking people. When we consider some of the best brains of the world preach Socialism, and Oxford and Cambridge Universities at Home are producing Socialists by the score, the Nationalists could have branded the Labour Party with a worse title. The Labour Party does not acknowledge any brand. It is working for the good of humanity and that’s all that matters. The Labour Party is represented by the Press as a “labourer’s” party, the idea being to encourage those of a snobbish tendency to feel they are a grade above a labourer if they join the National Party. Labour covers every man or woman who works, and that means 90 per cent of the population. The man who can work and does not, but lives on the work of you and me, we deem a social parasite, and this is the class the Labour Party is opposing and the National Party supporting. It must not be overlooked that the National Party, when in power, extended its term of office by a year without the country’s consent, and there is nothing to stop a repetition. I feel quite confident if the National Party is put in power again it will be regretted by all—with the exception of the financiers —and the knowledge that they may remain for an indefinite period is not inspiring. If they were to hold office for only three years it merely means progress has been knocked back for that period. Labour Party and Education Whatever your political views, I think you will be prepared to admit no Government could do more for the education of your children than the Labour Party has, and is, doing. Improved buildings, better facilities, higher education, conveyances to larger schools, etc., have been instituted all over the country. The consolidation plan is now being pushed rapidly ahead, and country children will enjoy as good an education as any city school can supply. The Labour Government realises the children have a right to it and is seeing they get it. Just think the matter over quietly, friend, and ask yourself, “What can the National Party give or do for me that the present Government is not doing?” Measure up what the Opposition did in the many years (both good and bad) they were in power, and compare it with what the Labour Party has done already, and its plans for the future. This Election is a Matter of Vital Importance When political opponents meet on the roadside and the usual debate starts, the object is generally to win a wordy argument, and, if you get away with it, you are apt to think you must be right. I hope, when you are reading this, you are in a quiet spot where you can give the points mentioned full consideration and that you will forget for the moment you are allied to any party and get down to bedrock with yourself. This is not a football match where one gets all het up wanting a particular team to win for the sport of it. This is a matter of vital importance to the lives of you and yours. We cannot afford to vote for any party merely because we have got in the habit of considering ourselves attached to it. If this be done, and the whole position reviewed with an unbiassed mind, I feel sure you will give the Labour Party your support. We must not allow any barrier to be built between the farmer and the wage earner. We each have our troubles and ambitions, and it is only by united effort and co-operation that advancement can be made. United, practically nothing is impossible; divided, as in the past, means a continuance of petty discords and strife and a gain to no individual or section other than the big financial institutions. Will You Vote Progress or Stagnation? The election takes place on the 15th. What are you going to do? Are you going to be swayed by the promises of the National Party, and the unfounded threats of what will happen if they are not returned to power or will you place confidence in the progressive policy of the present Government and vote Labour? I feel confident, after viewing the position from all angles, your intelligence will guide you in the direction of voting for Labour. Yours sincerely A Political Pilgrim

by Headquarters Buy of Islands Branch N.Z. Labour Party]