THROWING OFF CONTROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 7, 12 September 1944, Page 4

THROWING OFF CONTROL

THE prosecution of a Maori bushman in the Whakatane court last week for leaving essential employment without the authority of the Manpower Officer, brings to us very forcibly the intensive state of control which has been imposed of necessity throughout the war years. Now however that victory appears to be in sight it is surely time that we commenced to consider the throwing of some of the more drastic encumbrances, especially those which do not deal exclusively with clothing and foodstuffs, of which there is an acknowledged shortage and which is likely to con tinue for some period after hostilities have ended. The control which has been exercised in New Zealand has surprised even visitors from the Old Country, and the extent of Government authority in the world of commerce has led to the suggestion that the State is in some instances mereiy exploiting* the war situation for other ends. Whether this be true or not it is now open for the Government to prove its good faith by restoring the freedom and independence of the: pre-war status to the nation as soon as the strain of war has been lifted. It is well known that once initiated to meet an emergency, control of any kind by the State, takes a power of throwing off. Even in our accepted avenues of legislation we are still carrying legacies of past emergencies, for which the Government of the day found it expedient to pass temporary measures which would be lifted as soon as the difficulties for which they were designed were overcome. Today we should set our minds to ensure that the fullest restoration of our privileges and our rights are restored, with the coming of peace, else our sacrifice and war effort has in vain.