FALSE DEMOCRACY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20990, 29 September 1931, Page 12

FALSE DEMOCRACY.

Sir, —I may bo a "Simple Simon," ss Mr. J. D. Gray so kindly suggests, but anyway I am quite convinced that the electors could not return a poorer Parliament than that now mismanaging the affairs of this country. They might easily return a better, .and I contend that they should be the chance. A general election is neither expensive nor "upsetting." Public attention being concentrated on public affairs is healthy and not unhealthy. Mr. Gray's diatribe against party government is also wide of the mark In our Parliamentary, system of government it is highly advisable that the Government should be subject to keen and effective criticism. An able Opposition is almost as useful as an efficient Government. Had Mr. Coates had a strong Opposition instead of ona lamentably weak in intellect and in numbers ho would have been forced to behave himself better, to the great advantage of his Government and, consequently, of New Zealand. For Parliament to be broken up into too many parties—especially parties representing distinct class interests, such as "Labour" and "Country" —is, however, a great evil. Earlier in his letter Mr. Gray was on the right track when he said: "The fault lies, of course, with the electors." They are responsible and must tako the blame. The failure of our democracy is caused by the fact that it is founded on a lie—the lie that all men are equal. Anything founded on a lie cannot succeed. Democracy will not. be safe until quality as well as quantity is recognised in the franchise. We trust the destinies of our commonwealth to a class of folk who, when we are in our right mind and not talking politics, we would not trust with five bob till the morning. Many shirk this vital problem by saying it is impossible to devise a suitable qualification. That it is easily possible I shall be glad to show in a future letter if it interests anyone. Elector.