N.Z. Social Credit Chief’s Visit

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 94, 13 September 1948, Page 5

N.Z. Social Credit Chief’s Visit

ASSOCIATION DOES NOf INTEND TO CONTEST PARLIAMENTARY SEATS AT NEXT GENERAL ELECTION

Mr Richards went on to say that if a candidate for Parliament wanted to call himself an accredited Social Credit, candidate, he would have to show that he thoroughly understood the Association’s philosophy, and would have to be prepared to take full responsibility for the cost of his own campaign. Accompanying Mr Richards on his visit to Whakatane is Mr F. D. Danks, vice-president of the Association. They are engaged upon a tour of the North Island which they told the Beacon was for the purpose of getting in touch with existing members of the movement rather than an attempt to persuade outsiders to join up. “We are instituting •some radical changes in the structural set- up of our organisation,” Mr Richards said, “and we want to confer with our members about them. When the conversation was steer•ed back to the political path, Mr Richards said the Association had no immediate intention of launching . a frontal attack on the present-day political set-up. Alberta’s Experience “In Alberta,” he said, “such a frontal attack was launched in 1935 'and was splendidly successful. Four ' elections have been held there since then, the last one only a week or two ago, and on each occasion the Government was returned with sweeping majorities. Compared with this, •our New Zealand Government cuts a sorry figure. “You will remember that both' ■Governments came into power at about the same time. How comes it to pass, then, that Alberta can go political and New Zealand not? you may ask. Well, it is a matter for the Association in each country to determine for itself. To Alberta a unique opportunity presented itself and the movement there seized it and won through. But in Queensland, for example, what seemed a : similar opportunity was likewise ; seized got nowhere. “Not until the people are sufficiently enlightened can such a venture be successfully made, and New Zealanders are not enlightened yet. “The Alberta Government has • done a great job. It has the solid backing of the people, and will continue to do good work, but of course they have not been allowed ;to have a full-toned Social Credit .economy there. It is only a psuedo

“Social Credit is the only way out of this, we say, offering security with freedom, and more are coming to see that what we offer is what they want.”

When a Beacon representative asked him if his organisa- * tion contemplated putting up any candidates for next year’s general elections, Rev. H. L. Richards, president of the New Zealand Social Credit Association, said: “We are not a political party, and as an Association we shall not contest any seats, but an individual member may do so if he so wishes. We regard ourselves more as an educational and enlightening force than as a strictly political movement.” /

Social Credit system that is in operation in Alberta. Being but a province and not a State possessed of full power to do what it wished with its financial system, only those changes could be made which did not invade the sacred rights of the Federal Government. “Truth Is Strong” “Several attempts were made to get round this severe restriction, but all were quashed. It was the quashing of these efforts plus the false propaganda of the money power that led so many innocent people to think Social Credit in Alberta had failed. “But truth is strong and will prevail. Evil carries about within itself the seeds of its own destruction. The harvest may be delayed, but it is sure and certain full Social Credit will come. What of N.Z.? “Is the Movement advancing in New Zealand?” we asked. “Yes definitely yes, thoygh it is difficult to keep track of its expansion. Our members don’t placard the countryside much; but work unostentatiously. Literature is discreetly distributed, we don’t broadcast it —contacts are formed, small groups “unity of action”—are formed wherever three or four can get together, and our paper is distributed amqngst those who are beginning “to see.” How far this gets and to what extent people are reached we have no means off determining, but there are signs of awakening that give us hope. Moreover the present state of world affairs helps too to turn public attention our way. Disquieting Picture Asked for comment on present world turmoil, Mr Richards answered sadly, “It is a disquieting picture that confronts us. What a commentary it is on the management of the world’s affairs, what a crying and bitter shame that after two ghastly and bloody wars the powers that be are sparring up for another! “People hoped that Labour rule would deliver us from this and increase the world’s happiness and peace. That hope has been falsified. We are losing our individual freedom and are heading for world disaster.