The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1929.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 1929.

TREND OV LABOUR POLICY. In discussing political issues at this interesting juncture, the Auckland Star remarks that while the annual report of the Labour Party does not profess to oiler a complete and comprehensive statement of Labour policy, its criticism, of the United Government’s administrator brings some of the principal features of Labour’s own programme into clear relief. In the first place, Labour is very much annoyed with Sir Joseph Ward liecau.se he has not yet abolished unemployment. It Imrdlv needs to he pointed out that unemployment in this country is due to a great number of co-operating causes, and that it is iplite incredible that the United Part}, or Labour itself il if had the chance, could succeed in providing work for all who need it at a few mouths’ notice. Sir Joseph Ward has certainly done his best to redeem his promises in this respect, and it serins to us to relied little e.red. it mi the political judgment of Labour that lie should now he threatened by l.a.h ur with its disapproval and hostility unless he can promptly perform an economic mirrnT* at. its bidding. \y ( . ,|,[> not. lyaow Inw far Labour leaders are really in sympathy with Mr Ramsay .MacDonald, bill the/ michl at ler.d. remember that when I he British Labour leader succeeded in gaining otliee a few years ago lie speedily found tnat the immediate abolition of uueni-

ployment was a task far beyond his powers, and lie had the courage to say so. Lilt Lauoiir lie re evidently expects l'ro.ii tue L luted J'any much more Llian the British worker* got Irom their own Ouvernnient at Home. Uimv ever. aJr liodand ami Ins colleagues are even more indignant with Sir Joseph \\ aim t./r tailing to pay the minimum wage on all renel w.-rk.s, and it warns liic eluted Lot erillnellt that unless it mentis its way m Llie.se respects immediately, "it will no placed tviK i u Inc Ivcior.it tjovernmeiiL now nes.” .t.s Lii.snir uoes not command a majority m Parliament or the country, it is not clear flow tins threat is to he earned into execution, liiil it sJioiihi interest our readers to observe that tile inreaL lias neen made. ’I lie United uovernment lias given practical prom o. its tksi*.e to pay stamiard wages on renel w./i'us, nut even imbour stnmlu

m<t tie r< any to sacrim e Lin. l country's nimiicuii and economic interests entirely to paity prejudice, it is evident ir..m tnese reUienee.s that tlie Lanotn Party is in .re come: lied to lmiKe political capital out of the l nited Party’s alleged failures than to assist in a practical and sympathetic way with the l s.lution of the problems oi administra. Liin. At the same time the report from wlneli we have quoted is not entirely lacking in constructive suggestions. Mr Semple s scheme for “contributory unemployment insurance” is well worthy of serious consideration, and enough the Labour Party evidently underestimates the difficulties invoked in making farms spring up “out of the present wilderness of fern send) and tussoeK,” there is .something to he said for the policy of group settlement that it advocates. But it is also evident from this report that the Labour Party as a whole is reverting to its old faith in stringent and aggressive State Socialism. “Private enterprise has one objective, exploitation,” and therefore the State should extend its functions rapidly into the spheres of production and distribution. Our Labour leaders are presumably aware that State Socialism is now largely discredited in Labours ranks at Home, and as to the dangers of State trailing we need only refer to the frank confession of the Labour mem cr for Christchurch South which appeared in print recently, -dr Howard holds that private enterprise should not he unfairly handicapped by State competition, and we hope that his logical and force!ul arguments may soon convert his iriends and allies.