PEOPLE SEEKING A CHANGE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 212, 7 September 1945, Page 4

PEOPLE SEEKING A CHANGE

THE POLITICAL SCENE HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF. Elections of the past and the inference to be taken from them, formed the basis of a talk given yesterday to the women's section of the Wanganui branch of the N.Z. National Party, by Mr. A. C. Seivewright, the party organiser in the Wanganui Electorate He said history always had a hab<t of repeating itself. People wanted a change and if they wanted that, they would get it. He pointed out how necessary it was to have a properly informed opinion. Referring to the 1925 elections, the speaker showed how the public was responsive to suggestion. He mentioned the slogans that were used at that time, and the following election, when the public fancy was caught with a promise of borrowing a verylarge sum. After getting into power the successful candidate for Prime Minister told the people that, after looking into matters, he found he could not borrow the money. The speaker dealt with the slump period when the Government came in for a lot of criticism and people suffered when there hadn't been need. When people voted for a change, it was not that they wanted social" sm, but that they wanted a change. It was a reaction. The same thing had happened in England- A government in powei during a war was at a disadvantage. ‘The N.Z. Labour Party is at a disadvantage just as in England, where people are reacting in the same way,” he said.

Mr. Seivewright said he considered Mr. Churchill the greatest man in th< world, but he could not. hold inis party. It was a natural reaction. “The individual does not like to be interfered with in his ambitions, enterprise and private life,” said Mr. Seivewright. ‘Other countries have tried that system and failed. It is private enterprise that has made New Zealand. People rebel against being told what to do. There must be freedom for anyone to start the job, business or profession they prefer. People with talents do not want to be discouraged or regimented to jobs they do not like. Everyone likes to be individual. There seems to be deform ned efforts on the part of the Labour Party Io do away with the liberty of the people. One canot standardise a country History always repeats itself,” said the speaker. “Thought forces are at work in favour of the National Party.