WANTED: A NATIONAL EFFORT.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18164, 31 October 1930, Page 9

WANTED: A NATIONAL EFFORT.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —There has rarely been, at any time in the history of the Dominion, greater need for patient constructive work by Parliament than there is at present, in order to'meet the difficulties ahead of us—but In spite of this, the past session shows that our politics are still dominated by party and personal wrangling, indeed the majority of thoughtful people are beginning to wonder if we can ever hope to And members of the House courageous enough to sink “ party ” and come together in a serious attempt to solve the problems in the interests of the country alone. When we were faced with war the two anti-Socialist parties formed a National Government. It was at least an honest attempt to lift the country out of a political hole and place it before party. To-day we are faced with almost equally difficult national problems, requiring the best brains both inside and outside Parliament to find solution —but what do we see?—A House divided in three

parties all wrangling on party matterg and no apparent attempt to get together and boldly do what is obviously necessary, regardless of a possible loss of votes next year* No wonder the Rt. Hon. Sir Francis Bell protested so strongly against the continuation of our lavish expenditure and urged the parties to come together to discuss, the whole question frankly. No wonder that a growing number of people are asking whether Parliamentary Government,_ carried out in this country, is not failing. Even when the question of constructing new railways was before Parliament, the members would not deal with H without bringing in “ party ” nationa interests were only touched upon by. a very few. As far as the average -man can -see there are only two broad policies before the country—namely sound and constructive progress recognising private enterprise, combined with a wise economy, as against an outrig increased expenditure on social and unproductive services. He also sees plainly that we need a fearless handling of difficult problems, yet the two parties professedly anti-socialist cannot, for party reasons, get together for that purpose. Tills failure is giving the country- a weak Government at a time when a stropg hand is vital. We have for many years urged the non-Socialist members to agree on a national effort, but are told that there are fundamental differences; but to the average voter these differences are so small that it is the personal element, rather than the political platform, which, generally, decides his vote for this or that Reform or United candidate. There may 15e fundamental differences r # certain minor matters, tout surely both United and Reform members personally agree that just now

economy In -Government administration is as essential as it Is in private business, also that, whatever election pledges have been made before the depression, it is suicidal to spend millions on further railway construction in view of the modern transport changes. If they agree on these two important questions is it beyond practical politics for them to formulate a bold line of action in combination or are “ party ” interests to dominate the national welfare. We have, at any rate, a few big men in politics—cannot they, for once, rise above party and give a lead which will bring this dangerous situation to an end? —We are, etc., . N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE.