The Daily News MONDAY, JUNE 4, 1934. ENLIGHTENING THE PUBLIC

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1934, Page 4

The Daily News

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 1934. ENLIGHTENING THE PUBLIC

OFFICES: NEW PLYMOUTH, Currie Street. STRATFORD, Broadway. HAWERA. High Street.

The latest attack by the Leader of the Opposition upon the Coalition Ministry is in regard to the extension by one year of the “life” of the present Parliament. Mr. Savage considers, on the platform at all events, that the extension is a grievous abuse of the power of any Government, but it is by no means certain that the Labour Party, or the individual members of it, are any more desirous of facing the uncertainty, expense, and turmoil of an election than their political opponents. Most people will agree that such interference with constitutional matters as the alteration in the life of an elective governing body contains the possibility of abuse. They will agree that only unprecedented circumstances could justify such a course, and that the electors concerned should be given the fullest explanation of the course adopted by those to whom it has given the responsibility of conducting public affairs. In regard to its action being justified by extraordinary conditions the Government has a good case. Ministers warned the country when the last appeal to the electorate was made that they could not then produce any cut and dried policy to which they would pledge themselves. They asked the public to trust them, to give them a free hand, subject to the approval of Parliament, to shape the policy of the Dominion as circumstances demanded. It is history now that the request was granted, and the verdict recorded by the voters was emphatically in favour of the Coalition. The extension of the life of the present Parliament was justified by the Ministry as affording a better chance of economic recovery, but in regard to educating the public as to the reasons for that and other actions, there has been a diffidence on the part of the Government and of its supporters that is wholly regrettable. The initiative for arousing interest in political affairs has come from the Labour. Opposition. Occasionally Ministers make important “policy” speeches, but if they are performing their duties efficiently it is obvious that their opportunities for personally enlightening the public' must be fairly limited. It is work to which supporters of the Government might have addressed themselves with considerably more assiduity than they have displayed during the recess. Opponents of the Government, even its “candid friends” have shown commendable energy in explaining to the electors their plans for improving conditions in New Zealand. It is by such frequent association with the public that new ideas can be sifted and judged at their true value, but only if proposals are analysed by those who see their weaknesses as well as by those who can see only the points that are likely to appeal. Democracy is on trial, not only in New Zealand, but in every country where authority remains in the hands of the people, and the only way in which that authority can be kept vigilant, vigorous and effective is by the dissemination of full information among the public in regard to national affairs. As mere party tactics the neglect of Coalition supporters to justify their support or criticism of the Government has been a mistake. Elections are rarely won in the last few weeks of a campaign, and it is to the credit of the Labour Party that it recognises the need for sustained and con-

sistent propaganda if it is to convert voters —and especially the younger voters—to the policy the party supports. It is no good assuming that because sb much of the Labour policy is indefinite, and what is definite so often impracticable, that it will defeat itself. Electors must be shown repeatedly the fallacies or the impalpability of the glittering programmes of so-called financial or social reforms with which the politician without responsibility for carrying them out can dazzle an audience. Just as urgent is the need for explaining policies accepted, the circumstances which justified them, and where they can be amended if necessary. Sooner or later the electorate must be faced by those who seek election. The more they have given voters their confidence, the more time they have spent themselves in explaining public affairs to the electorate, the more likely are candidates to receive the support they desire. Moreover, continuity of policy, so essential to the Dominion’s complete recovery, must rest upon the considered support of an enlightened and thinking community.