PARTY GOVERNMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26290, 23 October 1946, Page 5

PARTY GOVERNMENT

Sir —" The Don ” wrote some time ago on the necessity in his opinion for Dunedin to wake up, scrap its old ideas on building, transport, etc., and modernise Mr Armitage ably replied to him. What “ The Don ’’ wanted the people of Dunedin to do was really none of his business, for if an old shop or factory serves the people concerned that is the important thing. It Is the crown of progress and essence of freedom when the people are able to choose or refuse anything or action provided it does not injure another; and if the Dunedin people desire to do so at tile coming elections they can do much to maintain and incease this freedom which is being gradually whittled away "by rationing controls, regulations, Orders-in-Council, etc It is folly to continue the predatory party system when all we have to do Is to select our own representative, or any of the present candidates who is willing to support the wishes of his electors and renounce all party affiliations or control- this would bestow on him the real honour of representing or being the servant of the people and the policy formu-r lated by the people would be more pleasant work for him than party policies would be, because if we only think of all the impositions foisted on the people by party Governments for over 200 years it is quite safe to assume that a reasonsonable economic set-up in the country which would give the Individual the choice to live his life in his or her own way free from the present domination of fears would be the general desire.— T am, etc., John Stephens.