SHATTERED IDEALS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 130, 1 March 1928, Page 12

SHATTERED IDEALS

LABOUR DISILLUSIONED “MERE PARTY OF OPPORTUNISM” LESSONS FROM OTHER STATES Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, February 29. How the Labour movement has become disillusioned, and its political mouthpiece, “a mere party of opportunism, ’’ was re. lated bv the Minister of Finance (Hon. ‘W. D. Stewart) in the course of his public address here to-night. The Minister said that unless it were true that each country must buy its political experience at first hand, he found it difficult to believe that the electors of New Zealand would not profit by the lessons of Labour profligacy and ex. travagance with consequent high taxation and low credit where Labour ruled. Returned at the 1925 elections by an overwhelming majority, said the Minister, the Government had placed most of its extensive programme of reform on the Statute Book, and although it had done that and had administered the affairs of the Dominion in such a way that the credit of New Zealand stood high in the financial world, it was not to be denied that the Government had incurred some unpopularity in the country as a whole. It was well known that the political popularity of a Government rose and fell in close sympathy with the economic prosperity or adversity of the country. However, good its legislation and administration might be, bad times inevitably reflected themselves in the minds of the electors, and the misfortunes of individuals or of classes, which were affected by world-wide conditions, were laid at the door of the Government. The Opposition Parties. "There is, however, a curious feature about political opinion in New Zealand at the present time,’’ continued the Minister. “The criticism which the Government has incurred is not apparently accompanied by a rise in the popularity of any other political party. Usually public opinion acts in see-saw fashion, and, as one party loses some popularity, another party gains. But if we examine New Zealand conditions, it is, in my opinion, very difficult to see how the' Nationalist Party can gain ground while it changes its leader, changes its name and changes its programme every few months. On the other hand, the Labour Party seems to have lost all its ideals and early enthusiasm and become a mere party of opportunism, continually recasting its platform in its endeavour to capture votes at anv cost. I well remember that its early leaders-were filled with apostolic fervour believing that the nationalisation of land and industry would solve the problem of poverty and all the others ills of society.

"But the actual experience of La. hour rule in State after State in Australia has shown clearly that it can neither bring about a more ■ equal distribution of wealth nor cure unemployment or poverty. Indeed some of these problems are far more acute in the Labour States of Australia than in New Zealand. “Moreover, experience shows that nationalised industries too often produce onlv deficits which mean adding to the burdens of the taxpayer. The profits which industry earned in private hands tend to disappear under the heavy hand of the State. Not only so, but the worker finds that under State ownership he lias merelv changed his boss but not materially improved his status or conditions of work', while the capitalist who has been bought out with Government bonds enjoys a secure and guaranteed income without the r isk ami anxiety of managing private enterprise. Disillusionment. "It is not to be wondered at, then, that the Labour movement has been disillusioned. It finds that its idol of nationalisation has feet of clay, and that it is necessary to quietly discard its most treasured dreams if it desires to make political headway, and if a creeping paralysis is not to spread over all enterprise and development. “Hence the constant annual revision of its land policy, the conflicting views of its members on national defence, its hesitanev on tariff questions, and its deplorable and successful attempt, for political reasons, to double our difficulties in Samoa. I hear from time to time of people who are inclined to try the Labour Party by way of a change. But unless it be true that each country must buy its political experience at first hand, I’ nd it difficult to believe that the electors of New Zealand will not profit bv the lessons of Labour profligacy and extravagance with consequent high taxation and low credit where Labour rules. Conflicting "Wants." “Nevertheless the task of Government at the present time is one of great and increasing difficulty. Ihe manufacturers for the most part want high protection. The farmers for the most part want tree trade. The critics want loan exuenditure reduced, lhe public want millions more borrowed for housing advances and public works. The business men say the Government is too socialis-tic-the workers say the Government is not socialistic enough. Ihe farmers want the Arbitration Court abolished. The manufacturers want its powers limited The workers want its powers increased. The North Island complains of the South Island wheat duties. Ihe South Island complains that its interests are subordinated to those of tbe North Island in the matter of tourists, trade, and public expenditure. Adding to the Task. “Amid all these contending voices on these and many other questions, such as the licensing question, Samoa, ano unemployment, the task of the Government is not easy. And yet it is surely of some significance that almost every New Zea. lander who goes abroad returns to declare that this country is the best governed in the world —that its credit stands high in the financial world, and that on the whole he would rather live here than anywhere else. “During the last few years the farmm« industry has been depressed not onlv in New Zealand but throughout the world >' added Mr. Stewart. "In a (ountrv like New Zealand, so largely devoted to agricultural and pastoral pursuits anv fall in the value of our primary products quickly reacts on tbe rest of the community and produces financial stringency, unemployment, and slackness in trade. Although during (he m-esent season prices have improved (or wool, meat, and dairy produce, the farmers are still tn difficulties tn New Zealand as elsewhere, and the effect of this is felt throughout the whole community.”