Bay Of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1949 POLITICAL ISSUE DEFINED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 55, 21 February 1949, Page 4

Bay Of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1949

POLITICAL ISSUE DEFINED

Addressing the Dominion Council of* the National Party, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, said the issue in the coming general election is a simple one: Do we want to see a Government that will take over more industries and put on socialistic controls, or do we not?

It is a pity his remarks were not more fully reported, because that definition of the issue certainly needs some amplification. There is no shadow of doubt that there is widespread dissatisfaction at the present time. And it comes from two classes of people: Those who think the Government is socialist, and those who do not. Mr Holland and his followers have left no doubt that they are amongst the former group, and they will get a large vote from the people who share their viewpoint simply because of that belief.

It is also possible that there might be some amongst those who oppose the Government because they consider it has turned its back on its original policy who will vote for the Opposition merely as a protest. However, one feels certain that followers of the National Party would rather see it ride to office on a positive vote than on a negative one.

They.have given us plenty of reasons why they consider we should vote against the Government, and, while not accepting all their arguments without question, we cannot help feeling that some at least hold water.

But is it not time they gave us something to vote FOR?

Many, possibly a majority, will agree that there is too much interference with private enterprise today. But that same majority, whilst seeking a relaxing of controls, might not want to see a system where a premium was placed. on selfishness with the text “Unto him that hath shall be given” as a guiding rule. Just how does the National Party propose to remove Price Control—if that is onts of the controls it aims to -emove—without starting a mad race of profiteers to blow prices skyhigh?

Just how does it propose to control and reduce the cost of living without reducing the living standard of the lower income groups? It has advocated strong action in the handling of industrial disputes. Just what is the action proposed? Never has the National Party been nearer to becoming the Government.

The whole country is crying out for a drastic reyision of some of the anomalies that beset us today. But the electors are in no" mood to give carte blanche to a Party that has never had experience on the Treasury Ben-

ches unless that Party can show clearly that it has a positive, practical policy... Probably ninety per cent of New Zealanders believe in freedom. But the word does not mean quite the same thing to all of us. And before we vote for it, or for any similarly loose catchword, we -should like to, know, in clear, concise terms, just what the Party we are asked to vote for intends to do, and how.