The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1948. AMONG THE JSMS

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 June 1948, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1948. AMONG THE JSMS

TO-DAY'S mental atmosphere may be regarded as a Battle oi 2 Isms. Each ism is an idea of what should be done to make 'the world better for somebody. A selfish ism is one that takes no consideration for the welfare of the individual concerned or of those who are outside the groups of individuals adhering to that particular ism. Pressure group politics is as much an ism as is any other. Pressure group politics, however, are as old as time. It is only when men are prepared to lay aside their immediate interests and work for a less selfish objective that social progress is accomplished. Social progress, however, is for the benefit oi everyone and men come to perceive that an enlightened sell interest prompts them to support what unselfish men advocate. ■ Mr. J. C. Allum, Auckland’s energetic Mayor, has declared that there is no place for party politics in local body government. He went on to say that “If there is any ‘ism’ it means that someone wishes to boss the show. There is no ism after the word democracy.” The point is well put, for democracy is a way of avoiding the group dominance or at least of providing a way of giving the dominant group its marching orders. A letter writer invited Mr. Allum to explain away—under democracy— “commercialism and journalism.” Mr. Allum has not deigned to answer his interrogator, but his answer would be interesting seeing that the two activities are only possible in their true development under a system of democratic government. The idea that there is something sinister in the term “commercialism” is one that is part of the Communist aid Socialist propaganda technique. In this the Socialist and Communist are as one. Commercialism is to them pernicious because it is a free activity. Commercialism is no more than the making of things that people are asking for and selling them at a price which is determined by competition among producers and by competition among would'be buyers. When the producers bring to market more than the market can absorb, down goes the price. The result is that further production is discouraged for a time and the price subsequently recovers. When there are more people wanting a certain line of goods than supplies can satisfy up goes the price, thereby stimulating further production, whereupon down comes the price. The price mechanism of the market over the years is fairly constant: the ups and downs of price bringing about the alterations in the flow of supplies. The control or regulation of the fishing industry in New Zealand had to be given up because fishing depends in large measure upon weather conditions. Commercialism was re-established by Socialists. The control of the poultry industry has resulted in the reduction of domestic henruns by the thousands leading to the Joss of a large supply of eggs. The control of the municipal milk supply has resulted in many people “enjoying” milk while the control of radio compels owners of radio sets to contribute to a service when all they listen to is the overseas stations. The alternatives to commercialism arc proving themselves to be far from attractive. ' Journalism is the right of anyone to write, print and publish any reasonably stated views and to accept responsibility therefor. Under Socialism-cum-Communism this right is denied. Those who wish to criticise any part of the regime’s work find themselves involved in difficulties far beyond anything possible under the law of Libel. If there were two subjects which the Communist-cum-Socialists should leave out of the argument it is commercialism and journalism when talking of democracy.