THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1939 PLEA FOR CO-OPERATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23482, 20 October 1939, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1939 PLEA FOR CO-OPERATION

Xew Zealand is at war for a cause that wins universal support. Every class and every person should therefore be united in a common effort. Such indeed is the will of the country, but unity is not being achieved. Instead division has opened deep and wide. It should be the duty of the Government to examine the causes of this weakening schism and seek to heal it. Co-operation should be the working motto. A maximum effort is required if New Zealand is to pull her full weight in the struggle against tyranny. It can only be obtained by working with all the people. As it is, large sections feel that the Government is working against them. Some seriously fear that their economic foundation is being deliberately undermined. And these sections —farmers, manufacturers, distributors,' traders — happen to be the most constructive and responsible in the community. Their discouragement or elimination will subtract from the country's dynamic or driving power, a loss that cannot be made good by the dead-hand of officialdom. All will be the poorer for the diminution of the country's life force. These normally active and busy people are being immobilised from creative activities by the Government's policies and brought to a condition verging on despair. The spontaneous meeting at the Chamber of Commerce yesterday proves the mood of the city; the mass meeting held simultaneously at Morrinsville bespeaks the temper of the country. The Government must take heed. Patience is almost exhausted. But, because these harried people place their country first and desire before all else to serve it, the situation could still be saved if the Government would work with producers, industrialists and distributors instead of dictating to them.

Readiness to co-operate has been repeatedly expressed by these classes. Their ability to do so cannot be questioned. In their several spheres, they possess large stores of hard-won experience, knowledge and skill that cannot be found in State departments and that could be of the greatest assistance to the Government in the practical application of its policies. Early this year Mr. Nash admitted he had never before realised the endless complexity and intricacy of the business of trade and exchange.. Yet he persists in rushing in where angels would fear to tread. The consequence is muddle and confusion, with economic paralysis and mass unemployment lurking ever closer in the background. The remedy lies in ousting bureaucratic amateurs in favour of lifelong professionals who understand what is required and how to supply it. That does not mean that the Government should abdicate its responsibility or abandon its policies. Its business would still be to state objectives and see that they were reached. But it should and could work through those who know how, in their several spheres, things can best be managed and done. The general will is there, awaiting employment. Thus the business men at yesterday's meeting were not content to express uneasiness and voice protests at current trends. They also appointed a committee to work out alternative and constructive proposals. Actually, however, their goodwill and their labour will be handicapped at the outset for lack of a clear statement of the Government's objectives, of a concrete plan to work to. If Mr. Nash would state definitely the position in which he finds the country and the position which he wishes to reach in respect of finance, commitments and industry, then—needs and policy being set out —those accustomed to deal with such business could hope to devise plans to fit the Government's requirements with the minimum of dislocation and the maximum of efficiency. Is it too much" to hope that the Government will accept the full measure of co-operation that waits on its invitation? If it is concerned about results, co-operation will produce them. The Government itself, far from producing results, is creating confusion and lowering the country's pulse. Without necessarily changing policies, commonsense suggests a change of method. This applies in working out rural as well as urban problems. The farmers should be called into conference and advantage taken of their experience. At present they are not being consulted and arc expected to work according to the dictates of Mr. Nash and for piece-rates named by him. It is not surprising that they and their wives, as proved by the meeting at Morrinsville, feel that they arc being exploited. Productive results cannot be achieved if this burning sense of injustice be allowed to persist. Mr. Nash should deal frankly and fairly with the farmers. There is no question about their patriotism. The camps prove that and the sincere expressions heard yesterday at Morrinsville would be matched at any other farmers' meeting. If the farmers feel that they are receiving a fair deal, if they are approached and consulted instead, of being regimented from Wellington, t.here can be no doubt of the response. Otherwise the result is not likely to accord with the country's war aims and interest. The key to achievement, in country and town among a free and democratic people, is not dictation, but co-operation. If New Zealand is not to fall short in her war effort and in her standards of living, the Government must replace the present dead-hand of bureaucracy for the living principle of .working together.