THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1938 HELPING YOUTH HELPS ALL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23149, 22 September 1938, Page 12

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1938 HELPING YOUTH HELPS ALL

One of the strongest features in the National Party's policy is the positive approach made to most public questions. The appeal goes out to the productive and constructive forces in the community, and above all to youth. Mr. Hamilton and his party must have heard the ancient warning, "Renew or die," a warning that the whole British race as well as we New Zealanders should heed. At any rate "Mr. Hamilton takes especial care of the rising generation—the life force in any community—'and holds out to youth opportunity, help and hope. Such invigoration and incentive is strangely absent from the Labour programme. It offers an easy and comfortable world, flat, monotonous and unadventurous. Such a programme may and does appeal to many people, especially those getting on in yqars, whose pulses beat steadier and also slower. Labour abhors effort and struggle; it offers subsistence instead of a life — the dead level of socialism. The National Party recognises that stagnation and death must overtake any community accepting that doctrine and, by turning to 3'outh, seeks to release the dynamic forces that will compel the future. In fact there can be no future and no progress without the thrust, enterprise, energy and courage of young blood. But to-day more and more young New Zealanders are forced to leave their native land to seek opportunity and a career overseas because, as they say, "there's nothing for us here." Scientists are often paid lower wages than the unskilled. A young chemist is refused permission to make his own way. And there are hundreds of other cases, not publicised, in which young men and women, the highest products of schools and university, have regretfully decided to seek overseas the future denied them here.

"In the days of our fathers," Mr. Hamilton declares in his manifesto, "New Zealand was known as a land of opportunity," but that is so no longer. In recent years more people have left the country than have entered it. This defeatism is seen even in the vital statistics. In recent years not many more have been born than have died. Something is depressing the spirit of the people, and that something is the State. It is growing at the expense of the individual but its growth is malignant and, if it be not mastered, it will kill its host. Mr. Hamilton proposes to cut away some of these spreading tentacles that constrict and restrict and to allow freer play for expansion and development. Take as an instance the two versions of Bocial security—Labour and National. To support its scheme for the aged, infirm and sick, Labour lays hands on the earnings even of children in their teens. Those the community should help are being called on to help. Grasping hands are laid on the springing human crop. On the other side Mr. Hamilton says these young people should not only be exempt from stunting taxation but, in this adolescent period, should be guided and assisted toward a strong maturity. Electors should ask themselves which policy promises better for security, not only for to-day but for always. Then again there are the young m en women to whom the people must look for a renewal and an increase in the stock. Without adequate reproduction there can be no lasting security. Labour proposes to weigh down these young men and women with a burden of taxation heavier than any previously known. Before providing for new life, they must pay out the pensions of the declining generation on a scale exceeding that they and their families may enjoy. On the other hand Mr. Hamilton argues that the declining generation will be best served in the long run by helping the working generation, for out of their energy and effort must come the means of security for all, the production that will support the aged and infirm, feed the sick, and encourage new comers. So to the young people he offers the opportunity to play their hand, as well as a chance to plan and build homes of their own, and to furnish them.

Health must always be a major element in social security. In,this department Labour's scheme makes a negative approach, providing, for doctors, hospitals and medicines after people fall ill.'Mr. Hamilton offers equal service in case of need but places his main emphasis on keeping people well. His Ministry of Social Welfare will make a positive approach to problems of health, searching out the neglected secrets of nutrition and making them known, and giving physical education the place it deserves. Surely this is true health insurance—a policy aimed at building a strong and sound physique instead of erecting elaborate repair shops, as Labour proposes. Hero again Mr. Hamilton appeals to youth, which is no longer prepared to accept "all the ills that flesh is heir to" but sets up an ideal of fitness that will enable men and women to live more abundantly and more usefully and longer. So the cost of superannuation and health insurance can be reduced while adding to the sum of human happiness. A healthy people will also be a busy and productive people. They will seek and welcome the new openings Mr. Hamilton's policy offers in industry and on the land. Such expansion will again augment the means of social security and raise living standards. By looking only at the needs of the sick rnd aged, Labour has undertaken a costly repair job that still will not provide an enduring structure; by looking to youth, Mr. Hamilton has set his hand to the work of renewal that will raise a well-aired and spacious building in which all will find scope, well-being and lasting security^