“THIS DEMOCRACY”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 54, 16 July 1947, Page 8

“THIS DEMOCRACY”

Democracy, O glorious power Plaything of friend, and foe How long will men abuse you Before they lay you low? Sovereign will of sovereign peoples, Held in- trust by privileged few Placed in office by the masses The people’s will to do.

How long must these the servants Exert a master’s will, Using power vouchsafed them To frame a. Party Bill, That never saw the light of day Till Government in manner grand By numbers and without consent Made it a statute of the land.

This so-called power of “By,’ and “of” and for,” This charter of the people’s might Is hollow and bereft of strength If wielded solely for the ‘Left’ or ‘Right’ Those who are called by sovereign

v will To build and rule the land, Must as humble artisans Applying brain and hand, Erect the structure on the plan The people’s voice made plain Omitting naught and adding none Lest they strive in vain.

Democracy to be a living force !Must ever be the people’s will Majority and. minority must share The passing of each Bill; Each unit of the people’s • choice Makes one elected whole The voice of every voter speaks By secret ballot at the poll!

Let those who hold the reins of power Remember that Democracy, Is the living Voice, the Will, the

Soul Of all true Liberty! Let legislation be for all, For all are represented; Democracy can only live If her will is implemented By Justice, tolerance and trust, The protected rights of all, For upon these firm foundations Democracy must stand—or fall! William Richard Whiteside,