POLITICAL SITUATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18764, 18 January 1923, Page 8

POLITICAL SITUATION

AN APPEAL FOR A NATIONAL SPIRIT. POLITIC A L AD.I USTMENT SUGGESTED. By William Stevenson. President of the Liberal-La hour Association, InvercargillThe import.let question in ihc mind of (’very thinkintr citizen of New Zciiluml today is, Will)I. is to bo the outcome of tho present unsatisfactory political position? Ihe present Government, despite some of the possibilities appearing meantime on the political chessboard, cannot secure the substantial majority necessary to enable il lo carry out. successfully the legislation which is, it is generally admitted, required so urgently in this countrv. It is extremely doubtful if a further appeal to the country would at this juncture be of any material benefit. There is. however, apparently some ground for believing that, in (he circumstances, the two largest parly sections will endeavour to find a solution without the expense and natural disorganisation of another election. ’) he recently-reported reform caucus, together with the views expressed by several leading Liberal members, seems to indicate that both parties are alive to the need for dealing with the difficulty in a broad and sensible national spirit. Parly and personal ambitions would (bus be promptly cast aside, and give way to a more genuinely patriotic and honestly co-operative method of government. Towards the achievement, of this much-to-bc-(’losired end, it is imperative there shall be a real appreciation of tiie realities of the position. The unsatisfactory conditions in this country cannot he improved in any large measure unless (here is such an appreciation. it is. in fact, the real basis of tho suggested change. Tho mere fusing of the parties for the sake of remaining' in office cannot fail to be distinctly repugnant to every good cilizen. The sinking of party interests must on both sides be genuine and definite, and the agreement would have to lie made in a true, patriotic spirit so clear that there would be no ground for doubt that in all the deliberations the call of country would unreservedly be placer! first. We must not ho Mind to tho colossal burden of debt for which this -country is responsible, curl we must avoid any proposal that will mean that, the nation would for all time be enduring such a burden. We will have to endeavour, by every possible means, fo secure measures that will have for their aim, ultimate relief in that, connection. No doubt a substantial portion of the huge national debt resulted from the Great War, although tho greatly increused cost of government. for some time past, is manifestly blameworthy; while the grave condition of our railways and other f-'tatc Departments continues lo assist in the piling up process.

'Jhe national aim will have (o be got. away from such a condition of affairs; and in order to do so there must, o? absolute necessity, be drastic changes and firm and capable rc-organi-at ion. Promptitude, courage, and foresight are imperative if we arc to deni adequately with (ho situation. If those premises are accepted to tlie exclusion of any party or personal considerations, tho political position will ho gioatly cleansed: and, to a considerable extent, tho way will ho cleared towards a desirable political adjustment. There would lx! the complete burial of the hatchet by both parties, and tho rearing of a powerful now political hannej- in this country. ’lliere would thus-evolve a new parly founded on the principles of true democracy, that would place country first and engage upon a policy of reconstruction, give a now stimulus to enterprise—having due regard for the future—and lift the country out of the perilous position into which it has fallen. It is essential that the administrators must bo tho ablest men in Parliament, and the policy should include provision that this end is achieved. Sweep away personal desire unreservedly. ‘ and the (thief difficulty disappears; and (here is then a real hope of satisfactory and concrete results. There are reforms to be dealt with which require the special and best brains that it is possible to secure, and if ever in this country there was a demand to stand shoulder to shoulder, it is now. Unswerving loyalty of purpose, even to the extent of political self-effacement, should characterise every true representative of the people. There must immediately be a departure from any policy cf drift and there must be an. awakening to the need of prompt action. Tho whole of the public service must undergo a thorough and efficient reconstruction. Tho railways in particular' cannot be allowed to remain in (he present, appalling condition, and there is not a single department that cannot be materially altered l in both efficiency and economy, tho aim should be to got all the departments on a sound footing. directed by thoroughly 'businesslike methods. In (he process there is required a complete absence of political cowardice, and there must he no falterm.?- where the way is clear. Otherwise to what possible hop? of .success can wo look forward?

Another important democratic requirement. that should bo agreed upon, is a prompt amendment of the system of parliamcntjy clout ion. by the substitution of t> measure ensuring the return of members only by the majority vote of the peoule. by preferential votin'?. It is a distinct national requirement that (hero be n sensible reform of the Arbitration Court in which the iust interests of the third party--the people—should have due recognition-: for they are as deeply concerned in nil the circumstances as are the employers and employees. There is a distinct feclin-r that we have too many Royal Commissions, whoso practical worth amount to nothing in this country. It is evidently to c’ndo troublesome political questions, that these commissions are required. This system should bo thrown overheard without delay. Capable administration by efficient Ministers is clearly what is required. It is idle to suggest any other method of conducting the government of this country. In this let us get away from the present method of selecting Ministers; which, beyond question,, results meantime in the presence of “.square pegs in round holes.” It is a paramount national necessity that new life must be infused into our producing power from one! to end of the domini'ln. More land must be brought into production, and there must be many more settlers to carry on that production. Production must lie materially cheapened and increased. Mow Zealand has immense natural resources that must be utilised in the interests. •of good government, and in order to, again got upon a sound national basis. Land of which proper use is not being made must be assisted into proper use by the necessary legislation. The future policy must have for its object much closer settlement, and much better methods of agriculture. We are only on the mere fringe of this question in this country, and a great deal'more energy and enterprise will have to be characteristic of onr Departments of Lands and Agriculture. Wo have come to the position where there must be action with a definite end in view. There must be measures (hat will mean national betterment, and the question must be approached from a high national standpoint. There must also bo legislation introduced to prevent the unsound inflation of land values, with its resiiltant ruinous national loss and depression.

Another important matter that: must not be lost sight of in the important work of reformation is the reasonable assumption that tho world will one day become a great deal more settled. Is it not a world-wide desire? When this eventuates are there not in * Southern Siberia, South America, and oven Africa immense potentialities? What wilt lie (he market value of our primary products when we have the producing power of those countries arrayed against us? Can we, in the interests of national safety, afford to scout the possibility of the coming revival and the now life and enterprise that will eventually come to these countries? We have, already had something in the nature of a lesson in regal’d to losing our beef mnrkeT to .South America, which country can evidently afford to cater more satisfactorily for tho requirements of purchasers of that commodity. It is not a question of being pessimistic, but of facing a problem with courage and business acumen.

It is the duty of the Government to make preparation to secure something in the nature of stability that wi.l take info neconnt the coining of Mich circumstances. Ability, courage, enlerpri.se, and foresight are required, and tin’s clearlv can only be secured by a policy that will ensure that lb? administration will be controlled by the very best- men in Parliament. There is (lie call in the circumstances for sterling patriotism, self-denial, and effort in the cause of humanity and the future of our people—for the very life of (lie nation ip banging in (he balance. Wo shall, beyond question, have to he whole-hearted and willing in securing and standing for the new legislation that this country must have to .secure its efficiency and future safety, and it, must he based on (he nrinciplo of human progress as against class or sectional interests