TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, .Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, 15th SEPTEMBER, 1939. A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 59, Issue 4186, 15 September 1939, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, .Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, 15th SEPTEMBER, 1939. A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

EVEN before the Emergency Regulations Bill made its appearance in Parliament on Tuesday there had been issued a considerable volume of regulations to meet conditions which developed so rapidly. The Government —and rightly so-—was not only ready when confronted with new and added responsibilities, but it lost no time in creating necessary machinery to marshal the forces of this country in an orderly manner. Clearly there had been much diligent preparation, and the Government was not caught napping. The challenge had been heard—and heeded—and when the fateful hour arrived new* problems could be faced in a resolute way. Parliament has ratified the steps taken, and more than that has placed in the Government’s hands the statutory authority to go further if necessary. In it all there has to be a drastic curtailment of individual freedom, but it is certain that the people of New Zealand to-day stand ready for the defence of their cherished heritage. Just as was stated in the British Parliament the other day, and reiterated by the Opposition in our New Zealand Parliament last Wednesday, people who value liberty most willingly exercise self-discipline and self-sacrifice when the human qualities they hold most dear are threatened. They cheerfully recognise that drastic diseases need drastic remedies, and they ungrudgingly entrust to the hands of a Government all necessary powers to meet emergency. There will be no cavil about regulations which for a time set aside those liberties and privileges w’hich are held sacred by the people of New Zealand. That is certain. Moreover, the lessons learned a quarter of a century ago are not forgotten, and serve the country well. The conservation of supplies and the steps taken to guard against any unbalanced distribution are immediate evidences of lessons learned in the 1914-1919 years. Similarly in matters of price stabilisation the Government reveals a willingness to apply the principles which conserve the public interest rather than stand by and allow trading interests to run riot. Nevertheless, far-reaching influences are at work, and price levels will be affected by the uncontrollable forces over finance and supply. The hazards in transport and in the maintenance of communication must tend to render more unstable the price barometer. The Government is, however, apprehensive and alert, and can be relied upon to safeguard the public interest. It is noticeable, however, that in all the great volume of regulations so far announced no departure is indicated from the peace-time industrial code. Not that this need ' imply any break-away from the wage or living standard levels; as a matter of fact, price factors affected by other conditions of supply may justify still higher wage rates. But it can be suggested that industrial workers will be required not to too rigidly maintain an arbitrary working week and the other “ frills ” w’hich have surrounded the industrial code. The turning of men from industry to war

must, of necessity, create greater demands upon the remaining skilled workers. The Government must offer leadership, and it will doubtless do bo; the workers will cheerfully respond. In this emergency effort needs must be universal, and it wrill be ready. Self-sacrifice and self-discip-line are more perfect when voluntary; they cannot be regulated according to a statutory code, but rather flow from people in all works of life and under all conditions. Clearly our national part in this conflict can be as largely economic as it may be military—to secure the fullest possible utilisation of the natural foodproducing resources of New Zealand without those artificial monetary devices which in the nature of subsidy yield advantages to any section of the people. The conscription of wealth plainly must mean the balanced util’sation of all services that create wealth. The Government may be trusted to exercise its exceptional emergency powers wisely and to so direct the economic forces of New Zealand that they will yield the maximum of service within and beyond the Dominion.