MAKING A MOCKERY OF DEMOCRACY

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1928, Page 3

MAKING A MOCKERY OF DEMOCRACY

When the electors of Nexv Zealand cast their votes at the last election, they, little thought that they wore sending to Parliament many repiesentatives who l had pledged tiiemsel •es before election —to work in the intoi ests of a minority faction, there by dis regarding the wishes of the majority o‘ their constituents. Yet that such was the case has been amply proved on the floor of the House.

These politicians,, with two or three exceptions, proved themselves, by thei. actions, to be willing tools ot the New • Zealand Alliance (Prohibition Party). They danced to the melding of their masters, voting as the Alliance wishes, and not as their constituents desired. Just how brazen-faced in its methods the Alliance is can be gauged from trie ■fact that, not content with extorting pledges from various members, it actually dealt with the representatives oi? the people in the lobby when the licensing question was before the House. - ■ The introduction of trickery arid subterfuge so characteristic of American politics will be deploied bj every?- thinking New Zealander, who will recognise here a menace to his rights and privileges. The most satisfactory \vay to counter such insidious tactics is to solidly vote for Continuance. °