THE POLITICAL ISSUE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1928, Page 7

THE POLITICAL ISSUE

(From “Passing Notes” by Civis)

Disguise it as they may, there are only two political parties in the country, Socialist and anti-Social ist, however many there may be .in tlie House of Representatives. In the House old party names persist though absolete, and new party names, such as the United Party, are ludicrous because meaningless. It was pathetic to see Sir Joseph Ward sitting forlorn and friendless, the last representative of the once-potent Liberalism, and still *usn(der its ■ spell. It iia pjatlietic to see Mr Sidey retiring from militant politics unhonoured by office, of which he was worthy. And why unhonoured ?' Because under the influence of tradition lie sat on the wrong side of the House Mr H. E. Holland and the political Labour Party are Socialists though they repeat as seldom as may be their odious formula the nationalising of the means of production distribution and exchange. They are probably giving a puzzle-headed attention to Mr George Bernard Shaw’s book of the year “Guide to Soooalism and Capitalism,” as literature the best thing be lias done, in point of common sense the craziest. G. B. 0. makes nothing of Karl Marx and his formulas.

Socialism means ©quality of income or nothing; under Socialism you would not be allowed to be ■poor. You would he forcibly fed, clothed, lodged, taught and employed whether you liked it or not. If it were discovered that you bad not character and industry enough to> be worth all this trouble, you might possibly he executed in a kindly mariner; but whilst you were permitted to live you would have to live well.

Sheer lunacy. But Bernard Shaw and his ideas will not he at issue in this election. The issue will lie: Is the farmer to' keep hi.s farm, the shopkeeper his shop, the merchant- his office, the professional man bis practice, the housewife her Savings Bank account, or is everything to be thrown into one common melting pot? The simpleton who votes wrong on this issue is voting to cut bis own throat.