UNDERMING PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1928, Page 2

UNDERMING PARLIAMENT.

. ... - v a DANGEBOUS policy. ' - V . < The expenses of the Anti-Saloon League in America— corresponding to the New Zealand Alliance here—are chiefly incurred in influencing the results of political elections and in creating lobbies to press class legislation to the exclusion of all other public affairs. A vicious dominance at Washington and a dangerous and subersive power in tlie several States has been acquired by tlie private organisation of tbe Anti-Saloon League at a cost of seventy million dollars. This is a condition which cannot be. ignored in New Zealand. The Alliance exists for tbe same purpose as tlie Anti-Saloon League, and is already employing the same tactics. It caies not for questions needing the best brains of Parliament, and involving the happiness and prosperity of the people. Since it realises that prohibition can never be carried by the people’s vote, its main efforts are nowbeing concentrated on securing the nomination to Parliament of men of its own choice. How- far these attempts at Super-Government are likely to be tolerated in a democratic country like New Zealand, remains to be seen, but with the experience of America to guide them, New Zealanders are not likely to be hoodwinked by such underground methods. ‘