PARTY POLITICS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11422, 19 January 1923, Page 5

PARTY POLITICS

AND PARTY PLATITUDES. (The Edtor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —The unctuous utterances of the recent Reform caucus makes rather humorous reading, when one remembers who they are, and what has been their past attitude. They state, inter alia: “In view of, recent happenings, this conference is of opinion that the line of political demarcation in this country should be between those citizens who on the one hand believe in a progressive, enlightened, and constitutional democracy, and on the other, those who favour a policy of Communism or extreme Socialism.”

Now, Sir, where does the Reform Party come in? No one will accuse them of being either < progressive cr enlightened; their past actions show that. They carefully refrain from mentioning the “extremists,” or it might be claimed that they. found a place under that heading. It is easy to understand that this conference was alarmed at the progress made by the Labour Party: they quite fail to realise how far their own party was responsible for it, but it is well known to many that Reform has made more converts to Socialism than all the Socialists could (ever - have hoped to make in the time. \ The Reform Party has clearly shown that it is not “progressive,” but reactionary. It has put the clock back many years. It has, by neglect, or maladministration, done its best _ to destroy the progressive legislation imposed by the Ballance-Seddou regime. It has catered solely for the big vested interests, and the small farmer, small commercialist, and working classes have not only been neglected, but have been called upon to carry the burden that the bigger vested interests ought to have borne. This same party has also shown that it is certainly not ‘enlightened,” as may he clearly seen from the ignorance they have shown in regard to commercial and industrial psychology. Because it has suited certain of their party interests, commerce has been crippled, and industry dislocated, all to please a few of the big wire-pullers. Further, the Reform Party has no claim to be called “constitutional, 11 for to be constitutional they would have to act in the national interests, and not in individual interests. Constitutionalism dienoteS loyalty, of which they have prated much about, but have never practised, for the reason that true loyalty may entail sacrifice, but they have been careful to see that they never sacrificed anything, leaving all sacrifices to be made by others. If the Reform Party statement is a bait to catch “rats” then it does not show that enlightenment which they claim to possess, nor do they give the said “rats” much credit for common sense, if they think that their tactics will serve to drive even “rats” into , their camp. That they are looking for political “weaklings” who will act as “catspaws” to draw their chestnuts out of the political fire can be well understood, but seeing that the party is on its last legs, is it possible that there are any so weak or so ignorant as to commit political suicide by joining up with them? Now, with regard to the Labour Party, of which Reform tries to make such a “bogey.” The Labour Party proper consists of men and women, 90 per cent, of whom are as loyal and as law-abiding as theii detractors, pr-» bably more so. How is it, you ask, that these 90 per cent, loyalists are represented in many cases by Socialists? The answer'is obvious to those in the party. These men, whatever their private views, are conscientious in all their undertakings, their political work is their religion. The “party” having made the policy, know that these men can he depended upon to carry it out. Further, they are chosen because of their debating ability, and therein lies their great sin in the eyes of the Reform Party, because the honours in debate rest too largely with the- Labour Party. We have reaohed a national crisis, the Reform Government, 6o far from averting it, has allowed the State to drift info it, and that, simply because they could not extricate it, and having failed so badly in the past, the country needs, and is calling for, a

change of government. If it can he got without .another, election well and good, but the national need is_ bo great that if it is necessary, private interests should he Telegated_ to the scrap heap and another election held as soon as may he, and that under proportional representation, in order that the voice of the people may be truly heard. Should that occur, Labour will b© given a chance to be represented by others than extremists, if it so wishes.* NOT AN EXTREMIST.