A LETTER TO KORERO

Korero (AEWS), Volume 2, Issue 17, 28 August 1944, Page 30

A LETTER TO KORERO

EVERYMAN’S POLITICAL ’ RESPONSIBILITY What have I got out of the war? Lots ; but the one thing on which I wish to dwell here is an increased •sense of responsibility. Responsibility not only to home and family or to the job on hand now, but a sense of political responsibility that I never had before—a feeling of getting in, necessarily after the war, however, and doing something worthwhile towards the affairs of our country. Why do I think I should do this, and how? What part will you play in the reconstruction of New Zealand after the war? Isn’t there a challenge to us to make a good job of things and to try, oven if our efforts are concerned only with our own country, to make this a fit world in which to live. Will you accept this challenge ? That is one reason why. When things go wrong you know that most of us tend immediately to blame the Government. If we blame them, surely, then, to some extent we are blaming ourselves, for M.P.s, supposedly anyway, are carrying out the will of us, their electors. If they fail in this task a few months after election-time I suggest it is partly because they probably are not kept in touch with the electors’ views. It is then that they act on what they consider these views to be, but their consideration may not necessarily be

identical with those of the people at the moment. From talking with friends and from observations, I have found that., outside of voting once so often, the vast majority of New Zealand youth take no interest in politics generally. That I consider is wrong and indirectly responsible for blunders that may be made by the Government. I suggest the people should shoulder at least some of the blame, as it is they who have failed to consider and express their views on the problems arising. They have failed to keep their representatives posted of their views. The problems after the war will be many. If we. play our part as outlined and help the Government towards final decisions, then surely we may expect better-balanced administration. We will have to face issues on finance, rehabilitation and development of industries, trade and production, transport and airways expansion, and our policy towards probable mandated territories. There will be our responsibilities towards UNRRA (United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration) and the proposed world councils. It will be our job as citizens to consider all these things—-to take an active and energetic part in local and State affairsto voice our opinions through organization, not necessarily party prejudiced, and to help the Government to our utmost in the heavy tasks that will confront it. E.H.D.