REGENERATION ON THE LINES OF A DEMOCRACY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23489, 28 October 1939, Page 1 (Supplement)

REGENERATION ON THE LINES OF A DEMOCRACY

By ARTHUR MERTON

'pHE thought uppermost in the minds of most men toward the end of Kamal Ataturk's life was whether the regime would survive him. The Turkish nation appears to be answering, that question in the affirmative. Tho change-over last November produced none of the perturbations which might reasonably have been expected, to follow the disappearance of the personality dominating . the situation.. It was carried out with a tranquillity that astonished even old residents. _ 'J he -reason was that Ataturk had himself prepared the way. , Ataturk marked out Ismet Inonu immediately after his great defeat of the Greeks at the place from which ho has taken his name. He sent him to obtain diplomatic experience, first at Mudania and afterwards at Lausanne, where he covered himself with laurels. Then he nominated him Prime Minister. Ismet remained his trusted henchman and confidant and was associated with all his reforms throughout the 1-1 years which culminated in his dismissal in 15'-'37. » Ataturk and Ismet That dismissal did not, as so many believed, show Ataturk's loss of confidence in his comrade in arms. Those in close touch with affairs at the time affirm that already, when the separation was decreed, Ataturk was under the psychological influence of the malady which finally defeated him. It is certain that the break reacted on Jus health and hastened his end. Ismet i etained his affection up to the last, as is proved by the authenticated stories of how Ataturk wept whenever his name was mentioned and by the provision in his will, signed shortly before his death, that Ismct's sons should be educated at the expense of his personal estate. When the end came the country instinctively turned to the. man who had shared with its idol in the heat and h'irden oT the national regeneration. Like Ataturk. Ismet comes of a class which has suffered most from absolute power and like him he visualises a. regeneration of Turkey on democratic lines. Everywhere there is evidence of contentment under the new chief. Living conditions have improved, though they still leave much to be desired. Public security remains good; justice continues to be dispensed cven-handedly. Signs of Progress All over the countryside arc signs of activity and industry, and an alertness among the provincial officials which, to those who knew the old Turkey, speaks eloquently of the stirring of the national soul which has taken place. Angora itself is symptomatic of the nation's development. The past 18 months have witnessed remarkable extension both in buildings and amenities It is now a vast and most attractive oasis, a source of constant wonderment to those who remember what a desert area this was but 14 years ago. Education, particularly technical, proceeds apace. But although the educational Budget is annually increased, it still cannot keep level with the demands for facilities which come from every class in the land. In a sparsely populated country it is difficult to provide schools wherever they are wanted. Particularly is this so in Turkey, where

Modern Turkey's Remarkable Development

32,000 of the 40,000 villages which exist have fewer than 400 inhabitants. Women continue to play, an increasing part in the social and economic development of the country. They are particularly interested in aviation, which is receiving special attention. Students who obtain their secondary certificates, girls as well as boys, .annually go to a camp run by the Turkish Bird Association,-where they receive instruction in.gliding preparatory to a proper flying course. Those who obtain' their certificates - as- mechanics and pilots quickly find employment. "Opposition" Supplied Politically the situation remains unchanged. The new Cabinet under Tsmet's old friend, Dr. Rafik Savdain, contains several first-class men who have given solidity to the regime. One reform has been made which, if successful, will mark a great development in the political education of the people. While the pros? enjoys complete liberty of opinion provided its criticisms are reasonable and moderate, the new President has introduced into Parliamentary life an "Opposition." This is not altogether an innovation, since in ID.'K) Ataturk, feeling that the oneparty system did not sufficiently ensure democratic control of the Administration, formed what he called the Liberal party. lsmet lias followed somewhat different lines. instead of a new party he has formed a group within tho People's party, through which the country is governed. Thin party now has a "Government" and an "Opposition" group,

over each of which Lsmet is president, the Opposition group being quite free from party discipline. Of the 441 members comprising the People's party 21 form the Opposition, who are nominated by the President, and elected for four years by the Party Congress. Their function is to see that the Government acts according to the party's programme. None of the Opposition can accept office, and if a member wants to resign from the group he must also resign his scat in the Assembly. Hitherto all decisions were first discussed 111 secret session by the party, and there was no discussion when they came before tlie National Assembly Now tho Opposition, who sit at the Party Congress as observers, have tho right to debate any decision when it comcs before the Assembly. In other ' words, whereas so far the Assembly has been a body of "Yes-men" who merely gave a constitutional cachet to the Government's decisions, now it has a number of "Why-men." whose questions the Government has to answer in public and who thus constitute a certain control over its actions. Experiment in Criticism This ingenious device for creating under a dictatorship an Opposition which, while it may not have the power to alter, Government policy, can criticise it publicly seems to be meeting with success. It has already led to amendments' of certain Government proposals. If it continues to give satisfaction the size of the Opposition will be increased, and it may be that in timo this Avill accustom tho people to take an intelligent interest in the administration of the country and encourage constructive criticism. To sum up, the regime is i working admirably under its new head, in taking office lsmet publicly declared he was accepting the mission of consolidating the work which Ataturk .had so admirably started. Every act of his since lie assumed the Presidency has revealed the same spirit that inspired his predecessor.