DEMOCRACY IN WAR-TIME

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21037, 13 February 1940, Page 4

DEMOCRACY IN WAR-TIME

Mr Savage’s definition of democracy as applied to . New Zealand, and the strains and stresses it must withstand in war-time if it is to survive the ordeal, will cause every citizen of the Dominion to think deeply. The Prime Minister exhorts every individual to accept the responsibility cast upon him by democracy to exercise self-discipline, aid in the defence of the country and all its valued institutions, and to refrain frcm all acts of sabotage that would weaken the national effort. There is nothing in this request to which the people cannot subscribe wholeheartedly. And in the Prime Minister’s determination not to permit a few “saboteurs” to interfere with the efforts of the vast majority he will have the support of the people. The exigencies of war have certainly thrown upon the common peoples of the democracies a heavy responsibility, but the responsibilities upon the Governments themselves is much greater. Upon them is the duty of interpreting correctly the wishes of the majority of the people, and therefore their minds must be kept open constantly. If democracy is sound, the majority of the people must choose the right and wise course, otherwise that majority will drive the Government along undesirable lines. Again, if democracy is sound, the Government must pursue the policy laid down by the people. The result is that if democracy is to succeed and survive the people in the mass must be capable of evolving a wise policy and carrying it into effect through the Government. New Zealand then must ask itself whether the people in the mass are capable of steering the country through the difficulties that arise from the war or whether the Government in exercise of its duty to the people must sometimes devise methods that do not meet with the approval of the majority. Happily, in New Zealand and in all British countries the people have left their governments no doubt that they must prosecute the war with all possible vigour. It remains for the governments to cn'ui'e that political expediency shall not be allowed to interfere with the people’s chosen policy, and that saboteurs shall not be allowed to weaken the common effort. The Government has a responsibility to all the people just as the people have to the Government.