The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27, 1946 CROSS-ROADS POLITICAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 55, 27 November 1946, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 27, 1946 CROSS-ROADS POLITICAL

TODAY, November 27th, in the Year of Grace 1946, will probably go down in New Zealand’s history as marking one of the most momentous elections ever recorded. The country stands, at the cross-roads as never before, and the outcome of''the poll will be carefully watched by nations the world over which have come to regard our Dominion as one of the most interesting experimental pots of modern times. Here with a population of one and a half millions it has been possible to observe in miniature the course of socially inclined legislation upon a basically democratic people. Here also it has been possible to note the progressive state policy of control and manipulation within a population mainly tempered by pioneering independence. From the English point of view, with a newly elected Labour Government, New Zealand, so often described as ‘the little England of the South’ provides an intensely interesting study, not the least feature of which will be the outcome of the present election. America, submerged under a surfeit of post-war strikes and industrial upheavals, likewise regards New Zealand and her political trend as an informative guide-post to better times, and as a possible example of a safety blend of working democracy and the restless new spirit of social enterprise emanating from intelligent Labour. It is comforting to reflect that the common belief outside is that New Zealand possesses to great a capacity for God-given commonsense to indulge in extremes of any description, With a population 93 per cent, of British extract the experimental field is probably unique, and violent reactions of mob emotion are not likely to ever take place until the native temper is well and truly aroused. Only on two occasions has this ever taken place; the general strike of 1912, and the slump riots of 1933. On both occasions there were genuine reasons for the outbreaks. Whatever the outcome of today’s election, it will be regarded as the careful decision of a people, naturally given to social progress, bold enough to experiment where others have failed, and essentially decent and broad-minded in all their dealings and commitments. From the closer view of the average New Zealander, the election becomes something of a venture which offers him sharply, two differing schools of thought. The Labour Government pledged to the progress of the State, and proffering not an altogether .unattractive record of past achievement and the Opposition or National Party pledging the backing of the State to the individual, and sternly warning against prospective socialism which is foreign to our colonial character. Times are past when parliamentary honours held an easy billet for the successful candidates. Perhaps they never were. The fact remains that every' public-spirited man or woman who offers their services to the electors is putting into practical operation our full conception of the democratic laws. If successful they know today that their responsibilities will be increased a hundredfold, that they will be answerable to all the petty jealousies of party thought, and that their best efforts to serve will probably be greeted by criticism and jeers. All candidates are therefore deserving of at least the appreciation and thanks of the rank and file electors and those who are unsuccessful, particularly so for they will be taking with a good grace the decrees of the democratic ballot-box and in their turn extending their congratulations to the winner of, the popular vote. It ’ is certainly no disgrace to be beaten-at a political election. The. candidates for the Bay of Plenty are both‘good and proved men. Sporting British instinct bids us to give them a decent reception in common with the clean and forceful 'manner in which they have conducted their respective campaigns.