LOST LEADERSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27093, 30 May 1949, Page 6

LOST LEADERSHIP

Sir, —There is no dearth of indications to confirm the opinion that we have controlling the affairs of the countrv men who are only interested in the class o:classes of the population whiclj can be bribed into giving support in return fo material advantages. Politics' have descended to such a level that convictions are thrown overboard if by doing so office can be retained. In consequence, statesmanship is a thipg of the past. The whole aim and design of the policy pursued is to buy votes. The result is such a lowering of the general moral tone of the people as to be not only disturbing, but degrading. The members of the Labour Government Cabinet must take the blame for having created the type of men who are causing them trouble to-day. Many present Cabinet Ministers did something similar against the Government of the day years ago, and are now tasting the fruits of their past teaching. . According to Cabinet Ministers, all is well in the country, because, so far. all the chickens have not yet come home to roost. Let there be no mistake that, while the public is easily duped by promises, it is equally strong in its condemnation when it realises it has been used for purely political purposes. Despite the materialistic outlook which the present Government has engendered in the socalled workers, there is fortunately a strong body of people who recoil at'the thought that their votes are being bought. While it is common practice to-day to run down the old conservative, the day will come when it will be acknowledged that the interests of the body of the people were safeguarded compared with their lot under Socialism, whose policy is to keep in power to-dav and to let the future take care of itself.—l am, etc.. Fillus Popull.