ABUSE OF POWER

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 24

ABUSE OF POWER

TO THB BDITOB OT THB PBCH. Sir, —The abuse of power is the greatest political crime, for a Government —a sovereign power—comprises the elected representatives of the people chosen with diffidence but charged with the duty of fair and just administration. Was it not Abraham Lincoln who described this democracy as "Government of the people, by the people, and for the people?” Few but the ranters forget that State services are the services of the people, and should be controlled and administered for the people and not for the class. From citing this highminded expression of one of , the world’s greatest democrats we descend for a moment to comment on the endless sophistries, extravagances of "Uncle Scrim" which radiate to our Sabbath homes upon the pure ether waves of a so-called State service!— But, we'' forget, for to Scrim—“L’etat c’est moi"! Only a man with a case-hardened soul or a pachydermatous conscience could sit unmoved by the flre-tongs while this politically minded evangelist disports himself in the unfenced fields of economic ignorance. With what splendid omniscience he. declares that "at all costs the purchasing power of the people must be maintained.” Fiddlesticks! "At all costs forsooth! As if to smother the truth that it is at your cost and at my cost; ‘ —But may one explain? Scrim’s theory of money is not that it grows ,on the blackberry bush. No! his is the theory of the lollie scramble! His greatest delight is to see Walter Nash scattering the newly-printed notes of Bradbury or Lefeaux thick as autumnal leaves in Vallombrosa! Hear him with crooning eloquence consign that poor pioneer Adam Smith to perdition, the while, like Montrose, he bravely climbs the lofty ladder to Robert Semple on Olympusl What Scrim, forgets is that some day our export prices may fall or maybe a war will come. with no reserves or savings, with taxable capacity exhausted, and borrowing powers • restricted, a new Government, is left to care for Uncle Scrim’s ailing children, hollow-eyed mothers and a host of half-starved unemployed—the product of the economic experiments of political dreamers and doctrinaires and the ethereal babblings of broadcasting yabb.er yabbers!!—Yours, etc.. C. ROY HARRIS. ’ September 22, 1938.