POLITICAL OPINION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1928, Page 4

POLITICAL OPINION

GOVERNMENT LOSES POPULARITY. CAUSES ANALYSED. DUNEDIN, Fob. 29. Political opinion in the Dominion at the present time and the causes why the Government has incurred some unpopularity ill the country as a whole were analysed by the iron AY. Downic Stewart, Minister of Finance, in his speech to-night. “At the 1925 elections,” said Mr Stewart, “the Government was returned to power by an overwhelming majority. Tt not only lost no seat of any sitting member but gained eighteen additional seats. It placed before the electors a very extensive programme of reform and most of that programme has been placed on the Statute Books. But although ih has carried out this legislative programme and although it has administered the affairs of the Dominion in such a way that the credit of New Zealand stands high in the financial world, it is not to lie denied that the Government has incurred some unpopularity in the country as a whole. “Tt is well known that the political popularity of a Government rises and falls in close sympathy with the economic prosperity or adversity of tho country. However good its legislation and administration may be, bad times inevitably reflect themselves in the minds of Hie electors, and the misfortunes of individuals or of classes, which are affected by world-wide conditions arc laid at the door of the Government. THE OPPOSITION PARTIES. “But there is a curious feature about political opinion in New Zealand at the present time. The criticism which the Government lias incurred is not apparently accompanied by a rise in the popularity of any other political party. Usually public opinion acts in sec-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 programme every few months. On the other hand, the Labour Party scorns 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 any cost. I well remember that its early leaders were filled with apostolio fervour believing that the nationalisation of land and industry would solve the problem of poverty and all the other ills of society. LABOUR TN AUSTRALIA. “The actual experience of Labour rule in State after State in Australia lias shown clearly that it can neither bring about a more equal distribution of wealth nor cure unemployment nor IKiverty. Indeed some ol 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 only debi ts 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 Stale ownership he has merely changed his boss but not materially improved bis status or conditions of work, while the capitalist who has been bought out with Government bonds enjoys a secure and guaranteed income without the risk and anxiety of managing private enterprise. “It is not to be wondered at then that the Liilieur movement has been disillusincd. Tt finds that its idol of nationalisation has feet of clay, and that it is ne-ossary to quietly discard its most treasured dreams if it desires to make political headway and if a creeping paralysis is nut to spread ..'.•or all ante rprise and devi lopmcnl. LASO U R PROFLIGACY.

"1 Fence the constant annual revision of its land policy. the - conflicting views of its members on national defence. its hesitancy on tariff questions, and its deplorable and successful attempt for j: ilitiea! resisous. to double our difficulties in Samoa. I hear from time lo time of people who are inclined to try tlic Labour Party by wav of u change. But unless it he true that each country must buy its political experience. at first Imml I Find it difficult to believe that the electors of New Zealand will not profit by the lessons of Labour profligacy anil extravagance with consequent high taxation and low credit where Labour rules. “Nevertheless the task of Government at the present time is one of great and increasing difficulty. The manufacturers for the most part want high protection. The fanners for tho most part want free trade. The critics want loan expenditure reduced. Tho public want millions more borrowed for housing advances and public works. The business men sa.v the Government is too socialistic—the workers say tho Government is not socialistic enough. The farmers want the Arbitration Court abolished. The manufacturers want its powers increased. Tho North Island complains of the South Island wheat duties. The South Island complains that its interests a,re subordinated to those of the North Island in tho matter of tourists, trade and puls--1 it- expenditure.

O INTENDING VO ICES. “Amid all these contending voices on these and many other questions, such as the licensing question, Samoa, and unemployment, the task of the Government is not easy. Yet it is surely of some significance that almost every New Zealander who goes abroad returns to declare that this country is the host governed in the world—that its credit .stands high in the financial world and that on the whole lie would rather live here than anywhere else. ‘'During the last few years the farming industry has lieen depressed not only in New Zealand but throughout the world. Tn a country like New Zealand, so largely devoted to agricultural and pastoral pursuits, any lull in the value of our primary products quickly reacts on the rest of the community and produces financial stringency, unemployment and slackness in trade. Although during the present season prices have improved for wool, meat and dairy produce, the fanners are still in difficulties in New Zealand as elsewhere, and the effect of this is felt throughout the whole rommunitv.”