The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1943 POLITICAL ADJUSTMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22154, 28 September 1943, Page 2

The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1943 POLITICAL ADJUSTMENT

As New Zealand adjusts itself to the political situation created by the general election there is a widespread feeling that, generally, there has been a distinct improvement in the Parliamentary machine. Public opinion also has pointed with convincing clarity to several aspects of the Government’s policy which require amendment, and no party which stands on democratic principles can afford to ignore those lessons. Mr Holland and his party are entitled to congratulations upon the part they played in the campaign. As Leader of the Opposition Mr Holland has made a worthwhile contribution to the political welfare of the country and has laid the foundations for a still better future. Parliament will be better balanced, more alert and more efficient as a result of the poll. Labour will still have the responsibility of leading New Zealand through war to victory, unless it defers to the wish of a majority of the people to bring about a government of national union. But as the Government legislates for the purposes of peace or war it must be conscious of the fact that it represents, politically, only about 47 per cent of the people. That should act as a spur to proceed with the business of government to the exclusion of political ideologies. Labour has been given a mandate to govern but not politically to revolutionise the country. It has already gone too far along the road to bureaucratic control. The danger sign has been posted on that road by the public. Such Acts as the Servicemen’s Settlement and Land Sales Act and the internal marketing legislation were responsible for the recoil of public opinion, and they will remain on the Statute Book as a menace to the future of the Labour Party. The public does not like them. Assuming that the recounting of votes will leave the representation as at present, the Government will not have a very large majority. A Speaker has to be appointed. Mr R. McKeen is Chairman of Committees, but possibly the Government may appoint Mr H. Atmore, the sole Independent member. Mr Nash is to go back to Washington, and an appointment still has to be made to fill the vacant position at Ottawa. Another aspect of the election that is receiving considerable attention is the fact that servicemen’s votes favoured the Government, and in fact possibly made the difference between victory and defeat. Many of these votes came from men who had been out of the country for two or three years. Another factor was unfavourable weather which in some cases prevented electors in badly roaded districts reaching the polling booths, and in any case affected the polling everywhere.