THE WAIPUKURAU PRESS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1935. SUBSERVIENCE CONDEMNED.

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 274, 25 November 1935, Page 4

THE WAIPUKURAU PRESS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1935. SUBSERVIENCE CONDEMNED.

“Where there is evidence that the policy of a party has become one-sided, and that other phases of what should be a national plan are being disregarded, it is necessary that the balance should be restored. This can be done by building up the individual strength—not merely the strength in numbers. Men are wanted who, in the Hon. Downie Stewart’s phrase, will mend and not end. To mend effectively some desirable members may find it necessary to retain their independence. If obedience were the only test of usefulness such members would be, as Mr. Forbes suggests, a source of weakness; but satisfactory operation of the democratic system demands something more than obedience. It requires men who will make a positive and useful contribution to a policy, as well as give a vote. Only by considering and harmonising the views of all sections can a national policy be evolved.” This is the point of view of the leading Independent newspaper in New Zealand—the “Wellington Evening Post,” which, quite naturally, as a large scale enterprise, has conservative leanings in respect of general politics, but believes in “square-dealing” as to all schools of thought. Party domination along dictatorial lines is admittedly a contravention of the ideal of democratic governmental methods and this fact is apparently recognised. Evidently afraid that Independents will work with the Labour or the Democrat Parties as the future Government, or in Opposition, the Prime Minister had this characteristically plain but somewhat contradictory comment to make in adressing electors at Sheffield, in the Hurunui electorate, on the ineffectiveness of the Independent in Parliament: “After a long experience in Parliament,” said Mr. Forbes, “I say that the Independent member is a weakness. When a Government sets out on a programme it must have, the full support of men who are returned to Parliament by the people to support the Government. There will be serious danger for New Zealand if, as a result of the election, a Government should be returned which has to depend on Independents for continuance in office,” Mr. Forbes added. He said that in his own experience, and judging by the experience of other countries, where Governments had been placed at the mercy or caprice of Independents, the result always was a weak and wobbling administration. Nothing could be worse in political affairs than a Government which had to depend upon men who were enthusiastic only in the support for measures that were popular, but who rushed into the other lobby when unpopular things were required to be done. “When a Government loses the respect of the people, it is a bad thing for the country,” said Mr. Forbes. “I hope as the result of the election a party will be. returned which will enable us to do what is right in the interests of the people. Nothing will bring the politics of this country into disrepute quicker than a weak administration, depending on the bargaining power of Independents. ’ ’ So independence (by which term we have in mind its effective expression)in the opinion of the Prime Minister, is both a weakness, in the House of Representatives, and a serious danger—not a usual combination of qualities! The point that he does not appi eciate is that what may be a weakness as applied to the demands of ultra-party loyalty may be a source of strength as applied to the interests of the electors!—both local and general. Carried to a logical conclusion hidebound loyalty of the kind indicated means that it does not end with intraparty demands, but in turn that all others should fall into line with the ruling body, no matter what measures it maj see fit to introduce. Higher exchange is one of the fruits of party dictation as opposed to the unfettered exercise of a vote, i.e. in accordance with conviction. There is much consolation for the leading parties, however, in the fact that they can expect to benefit by the long-standing prejudice of electors against independence!