The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER, 1, 1929.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER, 1, 1929.

POLITICAL IRRESPONSIBILITY AY HEN the Prime -Minister issued his statement last week intimating that for various reasons-—among them being the fact that it would involve an expenditure of a million per annum—the Government was not prepared to restore the salary “cuts” in the case of members of the public service, the Loader of the Labour Party immediately expressed himself as wholly disappointed Mr Holland showed such alacrity, says the Otago Times, in rushing into the breach on the side of the public servants, and used so many righteous words in the process, that it is scarcely surprising to find him making more capital out of the situation. Speaking at a gathering of Post and Telegraph employees at Auckland he lias boldly declared that the Labour Party would restore the salaries of the public servants to the former basis if it came into power. It is very instructive, this spectacle of the' Leader of the Labour Party playing the role of champion of unjustly treated public servants against a cold and unsympathetic Government, ltepellant in the eves of Post and Telegraph employees must now be the features of Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Coates in comparison with the generous lineaments of Mr Holland. Very magnamimous is the Leader of the Labour Party in his undertakings, very courageous in refusing to be deterred by the thought of being accused of playing the opportunist and catering for popularity at the ballot box. It is, of course, easy enough for the leader of a political party which is in opposition to make generous promises, or promises that have, at least an outward appearance of generosity. In the recent’ election campaign in Australia the Labour Pary promised all sorts of things, regardless of how the fulfilment of them could be brought about. This country is having experience at the present time of a party which is in office suffering the embarrassment of being unable Lo carry out some of its election undertakings, but lias the courage to say so. However, the Labour Party lias never lacked a willingness t to provide a glorious example of political

irresponsibility. The cost to the country of the programme winch it Haunts would be prodigious, but to the party itself that is a consideration of ' no consequence. To Mr Holland the prospect of providing an extra million for the public servants has no terrors whatever. Quite the reverse. The source, from which the necessary money would be obtained is not mentioned. A half million here or a million there are promised in a light and airy fashion. But as everybody should understand, the money can come only from taxat.on, and there should lie a distinct limit to the extent to which taxation i.s imposed, 'luxation is already hampering progress pi IN'cw Zealand and restricting the avenues of employment. But Mr Holland is not troubled about that. Tie .leads a party .which is not in power, but would like to be, and with engaging irresponsibility is prepared to promise almost anything. The Labour Party at Home i.s finding itself in disfavour because it has not arrested unemployment. Here, in New Zealand it has been made plain why the “cut” may not he restored immediately and the head of the Department who is the responsible officer the Ministers look v o, has reviewed the situation in terms which show the basis on which the Government decision was reached. But Mr Holland prefers to be a free-lance, and willy-nilly makes a promise so definite that whatever the eircum* stances lie would be bound to fulfil were he to have the opportunity. Such is the general composition of the La'iour Party and'the country cannot afford to take the risk of giving Mr Holland the opportunity' for financial recklessness.