MR. BENNETT'S REPLY TO MR. O'REGAN
(To the Editor.)
Sir,—Our friend Mr. P. J. O'Kegau is always interesting, ever-ready with his exposition of the doctrines of his adoption, and acting the part of a caged 'militarist whenever he senses the presence of his antis. So in your Wednesday's issue he charges me with inconsistency. He credits me on the one hand with Socialistic tendencies in promoting and advocating the legislation whith has given protection to municipal trams, and on the other with anti-Socialism in retiring from the Hutt contest, thereby aiming to assist in the defeat of the Socialistic candidate. I plead guilty to both impeachments. I am one of those who think that a country can. be great only in keeping with the greatness of its individual units, as measured in personal initiative. Hence I am opposed to Socialism with its State control contraptions and the population wageearners directed by trades halls. -
[ I retired from the Hutt contest primarily because I knew 1 could not wirt. Secondly, because I did not want to be amongst those whose hands might be stained with the guilt—not just of letting a Socialist win—but of letting one win by a minority vote. I have no grouch against the Labour Party taking office, but I do very strongly object as a matter of principle to its assuming the government of the country by a minority vote, and through ciass indifference to national in«7^? U °!V the pa!' t of Party machines. \\ itli politics as they arc, a win at the Hutt would just about let the Socialists in That would not be fair to the people of this country, the parish politics notwithstanding. _ Mr. O'Eegan dubs, with me, the exPrime Minister, because he legislated for the protection of-the municipal trams, a Junction apparently reserved exclusively for Socialists. Well, there is hope for us yet. Tf UTe reservation for State control ot public utilities .like established tramways, railways, post office, and defence arc.Socialistic, and Socialism went no further, we would all be proud.to Ehare Mr: 0 Kcjjans craft.—l am etc.,
H. D. BENNETT.
Gth December,
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19291206.2.63.5
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 137, 6 December 1929, Page 10
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350MR. BENNETT'S REPLY TO MR. O'REGAN Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 137, 6 December 1929, Page 10
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