AN AUSTRALIAN BOLSHEVIK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20893, 8 June 1931, Page 8

AN AUSTRALIAN BOLSHEVIK.

Mr. Lang's proposal to reduce public expenditure in New South Wales by a ruthless attack upon all high salaries is entirely consistent with his past performances. Throughout his career, his policy has been to appeal to the cupidity and to exploit the credulity of thoughtless people, who can easily be misled by extravagant promises shoiited at them by unscrupulous demagogues. Popular faith in Mr. Lang has been shaken, and it would be a bold stroke to win favour again with the rank and file by cutting down all salaries to £SOO. At least he could bo certain' of applause "from every Communist and every Socialist in the electorate, for taking at one stride this long step toward the ideal state in which everyone will be reduced to a common level, upon which brains and brawn will be appraised at the same rate. According to Socialist doctrines, what Mr. Lang proposes is only right and proper. There is no superiority of intelligence, knowledge counts for nothing, skill and experience are of no consequence when the State is the only master, and he who will not work may live at ease upon the State's bounty. Mr. Lang is really merciful. He would merely rob the "higher-paid" officials by Act of Parliament: in Russia, where such ideas are fully understood, the levelling process was effected by firing squads. Similarly fallacious proposals receive support outside New South Wales and Russia. They were recently zealously canvassed in New Zealand by advocates of a graduated scale of salary and wage reductions. Much of such agitation is inspired by entirely selfish motives. Underlying it is the Socialistic determination to reduce the distance between the> basic wage and the hiehest salary, to discourage all effort and to stifle all ambition by denying them reward. The danger of such doctrines should be obvious. The greatest difficulty in the present ace is to discover men with the ability for leadership in industry, in commerce, and in statesmanship. It will be increased by every action that cuts away rungs from,, the top of the ladder, for if nothing is to_ be gained by energy and enterprise, aspiration will be dead and none will strive to excel. When the consequences are examined, it is clear that there is nothing heroic about Mr. Lang's latest plan.