POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20126, 23 February 1937, Page 6

POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING

A member of the House of Commons —a Conservative member —has initiated what is described as “ a new experiment ” by addressing his electorate in the counties by means of the telephone. Loudspeakers amplified his voice. It is expected that the idea will he developed and that, instead of a candidate at the next elections touring his constituency and making numerous brief speeches, he will, apparently, sit comfortably at home and by means of the telephone and the loud-speaker address several meetings at once. Care must be exercised. In Germany they order all work to cease and the people to assemble before loud-speakers to listen to a speech by the Leader, and it would be awful if that sort of thing were introduced into a British country. If the loud-speakers were installed in a hall or other building so that the average citizen need not hear the speech unless he desired, things would not be so bad, but to have a loud-speaker installed in front of every post office, for example, or on some verandah on the main thoroughfares roaring out the remarks of some Minister or member addressing the nation would be too much. For one thing, it would mark the complete disappearance of that witty gentleman who usually figures in the reports as “A Voice.” Nothing could be gained by him spearing a question at a loud-speaker. There could be no applause, and those many citizens whose only public utterances consist of interjections such as “Question” or “What did Mr Gladstone say in 18757” would be reduced to silence. Just what the effect would be, if the experiment were developed, it is difficult to say, hut the standard of public speaking would sink still lower. The Ministers, members or candidates would all read whatever they wanted to tell the public. There is a fairly wide suspicion that they use notes rather too much when they broadcast now. There would be a flood of political essays, and read public speeches are a thing to he dreaded—a thing read after everything of human interest has been extracted. There is something more obtained from a speech given by anyone before a public audience than simply his views on any subject or subjects. The individuals who comprise the audience can reach decisions as to the capacity of the man, and estimate his calibre. Perhaps it will be necessary to wait and see before concluding that at the next elections people will be expected to wait and hear. But at this stage it will be agreed that whatever is done the citizen must be able to refrain from hearing if he or she so desires. At present the electors need not attend meetings if they so wish; they need not tune in to the wireless unless they want to listen. That" is their choice, but to extend any system so that one must hear would be to add materially to the white man’s burden.