A DEMOCRATIC DICTATOR.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18944, 15 May 1933, Page 6

A DEMOCRATIC DICTATOR.

It is not an easy matter to keep pace with the rapid accession of public confidence which is sweeping President Roosevelt into a complete dictatorship over the whole of the United States political and industrial life. The most recent legislative proposal, to be put before the House of Representatives bears the title of the National Industry Recovery Bill, and in addition to providing a £600,000,000 public works programme, it confers on President Roosevelt, through a board of five, complete supervision over industrial production, prices, wages and hours of work.

Since his inauguration, when he seized the opportunity of consolidating his position by prompt action in regard to the banking crisis, President Roosevelt has steadily gained the confidence of both Democrats and Republicans. His grip of affairs, the innate soundness of his economic proposals, and the determination he has shown that the situation shall be attacked and conquered, have created for him a position in the administration of his country which no man before him has held.

The powers to be conferred upon him by the latest legislation present n curious mixture of socialist and dictatorial principles. Vested, as he will be, with such complete power for the regulation and control, not merely of political policy but also of tho industrial life of bis country, Mr Roosevelt is, in fact, a modern dictator. On the other hand the intervention of (he State, through tho person of the President, in such matters as production, prices, wages and hours, is tnnlamount to that State control of industry which forms the important plank in all Socialist platforms.

At the same time as those powers are increasing in the hands of the President, the responsibilities with which he is burdened gi’ow progressively heavier. If he succeeds, there appear no limits to the distance he may go towards complete personal control and rulcrship. On the oilier hand, what if he fails? It is obvious that failure is not to be contemplated by him or by the American people.