EVERYBODY'S JOSS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 49, 26 August 1933, Page 12

EVERYBODY'S JOSS

In his defence of politicians and statesmen Lord Snell, when speaking at the Institute of Pacific Relations Conference, apparently overlooked modern democracy's need for a joss to whip. When things go wrong dictators and experts do not easily accept this role. If only for this reason one can agree with Lord Sncll that the people of the world would be ill-advised to place their lives under the control of a dictatorship, either of a single political adventurer or a group of experts. As a former Fabian lecturer, however, Lord Snell comes near to classification with the experts. He was one of the intellectuals of the Labour movement; but he may now classify himself as politician and/or statesman. Were it not for the wish and the need for someone to blame democracy, however, always inclines to dictatorship. Ruling ourselves is a troublesome business, and if we can find someone who "from his shoulders and upward is higher than any of the people" we are just as ready as the ancient Israelites to accept a Saul the son of Kish. New Zealand, a most democratic Dominion, has afforded a striking example. Almost thirty years ago an observant Frenchman was interested to note that the Colony was governed by a man who "was accused of having become a perfect dictator." When one spoke of the New Zealand Cabinet, it was understood that one meant the Premier, for ho was himself the whole Cabinet; he had some colleagues for form's sake, but ho did and directed everything himself, was the real master of the co- 'ltry, the "King Dick," as he was called, of the Colony.' / Mr. Downie Stewart commented/ upon M. Siegfried's deep interest iri this strange phenomenon of a peopVe, the most democratic in the wor/id, allowing themselves to ,be gover/ned by a dictator in the person of Seddon. He added a neat explanation. Such a conjunction is only;' another illustration of Morley's re/nark on Cromwell: "He was never much of a democrat, but the same may 'be said of many of those whom democracy has used to do its business." Only one condition is made by democracy for its difctators: they must measure up to standard. Dictatorship by a Seddotj may be acceptable; but small-size imitators are not welcome. If government is to be muddled democracy cqn manage that by itself.