The Daily News WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1932. DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1932, Page 6

The Daily News

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1932. DEMOCRACY ON TRIAL.

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While Monday’s railway functions commemorated another New Zealand achievement they afforded also an opportunity for a sort of national stocktaking. Though there are glimpses of brighter days ahead it would be foolish to contend that the dark cloud of depression has lifted, and Monday’s gatherings gave the leaders of the Dominion an opportunity of showing how democracy behaves and develops in the stress of national difficulties. Parliament, administration, general or local, public expenditure and the relationship of the Dominion to the Empire as a whole —all these were matters which came up for review by the speakers. It may be said at once that the manner in which the nation’s problems were

discussed and examined was in every way admirable. The discussion was shared by politicians of every school, by those upon whom Ministerial responsibility •rests as well as by those whose duty it is to criticise and improve the legislative suggestions of the Ministry. Supplementing the Parliamentary representatives, were those of local authorities whose problems are also very difficult. The note of all the speeches was an appeal to courage and en-

durance with just a little comfort in what has actually been accomplished since New Zealand was rudely awakened from a spendthrift’s dream which had lasted so long as to seem reality to many. The Prime Minister gave the public a little of his confidence, and it is an example which may well be followed by all who are holding authority. The public of New Zealand has never been afraid to face facts; it is uncertainty which cripples effort and makes for panic. Mr, Forbes admitted frankly that the national accounts cannot be balanced this year, but that the deficit would, unless unforeseen circumstance arise, be wiped out within a year or two. He explained why conversion of loans; is not practicable in the meantime, and had no patent remedy to offer for the financial sickness affecting the Dominion.

More production, nonest trading, improved methode to reduce costs and the cultivation of as much optimism as circumstances will permit—these were the old-fash-iohed virtues which the Prime Minister commended. They have, as he said, borne the nation through many a stressful period, and they are the only foundations upon which sure recovery can be built. Mr. Forbes thinks rock bottom in economic affairs has been reached, an opinion shared by other- Ministers, and the Dominion will fervently hope that they are true interpreters of the real position. The Minister of Public Works, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, endorsed his leader’s atti-

tude. He sees in the Ottawa agreements real advantages for the primary producer in New Zealand, and he also made a call to the nation to gird up its loins for further effort, confident from the teaching of its own history that courage, honesty and common sense will win through. As was perhaps fitting it was left to the Minister of Trade and Industries, the Hon. R. Masters, to show how the principles laid down, by the Prime Minister must be applied by the people themselves. The search for new markets, support of the railways in order to eliminate railway deficits, the application of science to industry, the purchase of New Zealand-made goods, and a confident outlook were the homely methods Mr. Masters supported, and it is advice that every individual can accept and follow to the best of his or her ability. The observations of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland, in regard to the duties and endeavours of Parliament were characterised by a sense of responsibility on both sides. Undoubtedly democratic government is on its trial, not only in New Zealand but Wherever government by the people is the rule of the realm. Mr. Forbes and Mr. Holland both recognise that it is to Parliament that the nation looks for guidance in times of stress, and by the success which it achieves in affording safe guidance its efficacy as a system of government will be assessed. Looking back upon New Zealand’s history the truth of one observation made by Mr. Holland is very apparent. Public affairs and public men are very much what the people they concern and represent make of them. It is Parliament’s duty to give a lead, and even to provide the way, but behind all efforts of the Legislature there must be public opinion. So long as that opinion is progressive, sound and vigorous so will the public life of the nation be virile and progressive also. It comes back in the long run to individual effort, individual honesty, and individual courage. These virtues made possible the settlement of New Zealand. They have helped the Dominion up the heights of progress, and if they continue to be exercised will enable New Zealand to emerge the stronger from the present days of difficulty and uncertainty.