LABOUR POLICY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22909, 11 December 1937, Page 19

LABOUR POLICY

Sir, —Labour may be "riding to a fall" as your correspondent "W.M." asserts. This, of course, remains to be seen. Tho only real test of unpopularity will bo revealed when the ballot boxes aro opened—not before. If "W.M." is so positive of the Government's defeat at tho next election, why is it so vitally necessary for him to portray a resume of their shortcomings at this stage? Granting for arguments sake that they have incurred the antagonism of various important (and unimportant) sections of the community, including "currency reformers," who on earth could form a Government that would please everybody? They have had a wonderful opportunity, which they have failed to make the best use of, to go carefully and reorganise tho country on sound and democratic lines and it is this failure which is disqueting in #iew of the possibility of the Nationalists getting back on the Treasury benches. The sufferings and persecutions which many of our citizens endured under their rule are not to bo lightly forgotten. But "W.M.," according to his very obvious political sentiments, ought to be mighty pleased that Mr. Savage and his henchmen have made "such an unholy mess of things." If the case is as bad as that it must lead to the writing on the wall, and there is only another year to the El Dorado of National Party politics. This talk of "gagging" and intimidating freedom in the press is spoiled child stuff, and only emanates from those who want to indulge their passion for criticism fair and unfair, under a nom-de-plume. No honest or reasonable person objects to the obligation to sign their names. What about tho time when Mr. Forbes threatened civil servants with dismissal if they opened their mouths too wide? If that was not "gagging and intimidation" tell mo what is, or was! J. Orr.