The Guardian And, Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1929. ENTERPRISE AND INITIATIVE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 September 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And, Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1929. ENTERPRISE AND INITIATIVE

Last week at the Competitions there was an entertaining discussion On the progress of socialism in New Zealand, and most of the speakers took the line that as far as the Dominion had advanced in socialism it was all for the good of the country. The Railways, Public Trust, State Advances, etc., were all instanced as State or social enterprises which had done much for the country and the people, and the institutions had advanced conditions more rapidly than private enterprise or initiative could have done. It is well to weigh the situation for ourselves, and' realise where too rapid an advance with socialistic ideals might lead the country. There is the special example of Queensland where a Labour Government attempted to go the whole way in State socialism. Ventures of all kinds were promote", including farming and shopping, but all resulted in a heavy loss to the country, and the Moore Government which ousted the Labour Government has its hands full attempting to clear up the' financial mess. .Assuming that the real ideals of Lalrour in this Country were to he brought into force, and the socialisation or nationalisation of production' and distribution were to have full play, what would ho the' result? Would not the enterprise and initiative of the private individual l>e checked? And that would result in a i curtailment of piethods ,or a lack of enthusiasm which

would mean a loss of advancement and general piogiess. X'liis cutting into the life-blood of trading and business intercourse would sap individual energies and interests,'and the rate of production would decline as also the quality. This cheek to productive inuustrv, and its .decline in value would have a most adverse effect on the general prosperity, and the country would enter on a chaotic era, as Queensland did, and. it would take a general election to reverse the national policy. Political Labour is also bent on class organisation, and in that respect is creating a very unhealthy spirit. The conscience of the political Labourite is only guided by his own personal interests. The national welfare does not count, and by that isolation great harm is possible. The best means to advance national interests is by the mutual co-operation of labour and capital lor the benefit. If prosperity he created thereby, the result is au ad-round advantage. The creation of more wealth, means additional and expanding industry, all for' the betterment of the common weal. The State can in many/ instances work to advantage with private' enterprise in important social services, but crossing to industry and tradiii’g is another matter, and whether such enterprise be conducted municipally or’ by the general government, the clash with private enterprise and initiative will be the most harmful to the State in the end. It is not wise to check the willing horse unduly, and the same untoward results will follow if the willing ■worker, inventor, and investor is cribbed, cabined and confined through State interference whether by monopoly or regulation. The'country will do all the better if private enterprise has a; freer play. New Zealand is so much apart from other countries that prosperity within its ,shores is of mutual benefit and profit to industry in general. 'The successful business man, or trader, or producer, is not given to hoarding h:s profits or de amping with them. Bather does lie give his enterprise freer play, and is always prepared to encourage the initiative of his workmen. The ideal for any State Is not strict socialism, but a liberal policy of free intercourse between the two aids to national progress—capital and labour.