LABOUR IN POWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22346, 18 February 1936, Page 17

LABOUR IN POWER

TROUBLES PREDICTED COMMENT FROM SOUTH AFRICA Interesting observations on Labour's rise to power in New Zealand are contained in a letter written by Senator T. Boydell, a member of the South African legislature, to his cousin, Mr. A. J. Boydell, in Christchurch. He states that, while the Labour Government should bo expected to do great things, accomplishment will not come without opposition, and he forsees labour troubles and much dissent stirred up by intrigue. Senator Boydell says he believes that New Zealand, by electing a Labour Government, is fulfilling its destiny. For many years the Dominion was a pioneer of industrial and democratic iegislation, and from Seddon to Savage will not be such a revolutionary step as some of the present-day "dio-hards" might think. "if there is a self-contained and compact country in which Labour and Socialist policies could be well tried out, it is New Zealand," ho writes. "All that Labour proposes to do will not be done, and much will be done that is not successful. Not a small amount, on examination, will be found to be impracticable. The courso set will not always bo the same, but the final results to the country, I feel, will bo of benefit when the credit and debit aro impartially checked up." The writer goes on to sn.v that Labour will succeed because its principles aro ethically sound and its leaders imbued only with the highest ideals and motives. People not profits, and homes not dividends will bo their motive. But, ho continues, there will bo found, as others have discovered, that there is a vast difl'rrenco between an ethically sound principle and its practical expression. Still, while aiming at the star, Labour might succeed in hitting tho roof of tho skyscraper. "Labour troubles will now start," predicts Senator Boydell. "There is no more prolific source of dissension than power. Before long intrigue and jealousy will begin to show, although under cover at first. As a rule, Labour deserves loyalty because tho leaders are honest, self-sacrificing and mean only well to their fellow-men, but Labour cannot command loyalty, oven in spito of party discipline."