If I Were Prime Minister

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 485, 15 October 1928, Page 8

If I Were Prime Minister

THB SUZJ is offering a prise of £lO for the best reply to the Question: “What Would I Dp if r Were Prime Minister f** To-day tee publish the ISth of the entries. The competition is *‘open to all comers/* and closes on October 20.

OLIVE E. ELLISOX

"... Could thou and I with Fate conspire To grasp this sorry Scheme of Things entire, Would not we shatter it to bits—and then Re-mould it nearer to the Heart’s Desire!” —Omar Khayyam. Perhaps no one is ever satisfied with things as they are. It is well that it is so; otherwise there would be no progress. Every invention was at first a dream or vision in the mind of someone—perhaps scoffed at in the beginning as impossible or impracticable, till the dream or vision eventually materialised, and became an estab-

lished fact. The steamship, locomotive, telephone, motor-car, wireless and airplane were all dreams formulated in some person’s brain before they became actual realities. As with science and invention, so also with world-re-forms, such as the abolition of slavery, the eight-hour day and women’s suffrage. We all dream dreams and see visions; and “in the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom.” It is only through the knowledge gained by experience, and the success that arises as the outcome of mistakes and failures, that humanity evolves

from darkness into light. Step by step we feel our way—stumbling, tailing, rising—till at last we reach the heights toward which e ha\ c been climbing. _ Wo do not all think alike; and we do not all see things from the same point of view. It is for this very reason that there is division, discord, and dissention. We see it exemplified wherever there is a clash of wills —between individuals, families, class and class, parties, Church, State and Nations. It is only as we gain in breadth of vision, and try to see things from all points of view— readjusting. compromising, working for the common good—that we will eventually find peace. The great leaders of the world have been men and women with breadth of vision, and a sympathy and understanding to perceive the motives underlying the actions of their fellowmen. The right word at the right time may often avert catastrophe; just as headstrong and impulsive action may precipitate calamities. The more we try to understand each other, and put aside all selfish motives, striving for the common good, the greater progress we shall make toward harmony and unity. How ready we are to criticise! Could we ourselves do better, had we the ordering of affairs? What would you do —for instance—if you were Prime Minister.? What would I do? If I were Prime Minister I would strive:

1. To pass laws for the benefit of the many, rather than the exclusive few—thereby lessening friction in the machinery of Government.

2. To bring in the bare majority vote on all questions, such as prohibition, revised Prayer Book, summer time. A member of Parliament gets in on the bare majority vote. Why not so in deciding issues? 3. To make Parliament’s decision on all matters final and binding, any attempt to reverse Parliament’s decision on the part of any party or society (other than as brought up by, or through Parliament) to be punishable by imprisonment or fine. 4. To make it illegal for any individual to own or control more than a certain amount of land. Any land in excess of this to be confiscated to the State for closer settlement. 5. To make it illegal for any individual to own or control more than a certain sum of money. Money in excess of the amount allowed to be used by the State for the opening up of manufactories or on public works. 6. To break down monopolies.

7. To keep money in the country by supporting local industries; by a higher tax on foreign goods. 8. To regulate immigration to suit the demand, and so avert unemployment. 9. To arrest the increase of the unfit and mentally defective by treating the cause rather than the effect—by compulsory sterilisation of the unfit, thus saving money to the State by decreasing the of maintaining asylums. 10. To make it illegal to suppress names in any case tried in a court of law—there to be one law for rich and poor alike.