M. VAN ZEELAND’S RESIGNATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 256, 28 October 1937, Page 6

M. VAN ZEELAND’S RESIGNATION

r JTLE conduct of M. van Zeeland, the banker Premier of Belgium, in resigning his office in order that he might “clear up quickly” the charges which have been made against him of influencing the National Bank, is in marked contrast to the conduct which would follow similar charges being preferred against, say, Herr Hitler or Signor Mussolini. The former steps down from his place of power in order that he might meet the charges and refute them if he can. In doing this he is relying on the good sense of his fellows and upon the virtue of his own case. It is the power of the common judgment which is relied on. On the other hand Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini maintain high-powered propaganda machines designed to operate so thoroughly that they will not convince the public of the desirability of the totalitarian State, but that the public should have no other thoughts than those implanted in their minds by the authorities. .The one relies on reason and the other seeks to blanket it out. The hope naturally is that M. van Zeeland will speedily accomplish the task for which he has resigned from the Premiership. He defeated the young Rexist leader, M. Degrelle, at a challenge by-election and won quickly and ’decisively oii that occasion. When a man shows that he is prepared to accept the challenges so readily he engenders confidence, but it must not be lost from sight that M. Degrelle would take no such chances in similar circumstances.