The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 17, 1933 RIGHTING THE NATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 17, 1933 RIGHTING THE NATIONS.

Democracy as we know it, is not having a very good run internationally. 'T'ne way has been prepared for the dictator, and ho is coming more and more into evidence, Russia had its Ltnin and now Bt a lin. Italy was rescued from financial chaos by Mussolini, and Hitler is bent on following in Italy’s footsteps. There the bold declaration is made that democracy to go! Other countries in Europe nave had their tastes of dictators m crises, 'and so has South America. The Great War period brought into being the national and coalition forms of government in Britain, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand—governments which assumed and are still using dictatorial powers. Even in the United States the new President has shown this disposition in emergency to go over the heads of Congress, «nd act as he thinks best, and his dictum has been accepted without serious demur. These instances ghow that democracy in itself is not the real cure for all our political ills. The beneficient dictator no doubt can wield great good in emergency, as Cromwell did. We had Mr Seddon in this country with the votes of the people, able t-o dominate Parliament, and through orderly acts bringing in a estate of socialism, which helped tremendously in its time, but has not prevailed for all time. The State now trades in many directions and enjoys monopolies. With the borrowing powers possessed, it had groat opportunities, but with that privilege clipped, many of the former advantages disappear, and the country has to foot the bills for annual interest and re-pay-ments out of direct taxation. Much of the money was expended on non-pro-ductive works, or on undertakings not yet fully reproductive. The capital lias become frozen, as in the case of railways and hydro-electric works where the earning capacity is still below the neecV, of the period. This venture into State socialism may now be gauged at its true worth, for with the aftermath of the Gr£at War the world is very much out of gear, and the former avenues for trading are both clogged and depreciated. The colossal increase in the debt due to the indebtedness incurred by the war and its effects, is a heavy load on the taxpayer. Who trade restricted and produce in plenty unabl© to find a remunerative market, the demand.’ of taxation increase, despite the harder times. Peop’e are lees ■able to pay now when higher and extra taxes are demanded. This state cf affairs is general, and in some countries where the neidtion is more acute, and v itli a tendency to become desperate, J Jm ordinary ways cf government arc being superseded in the seav'-h for a more benign form of 'r.cl"iinist I ’ation. The times are such that there is more need for randy now than at any time, with a trust in accredited leaders. No herven-bom statesman has Imm produced to sel lle the fi'-michd affairs of (die nation by n itvcka. Roosevelt: (stood in a rnsition where much mmht i have been done, but his golden oppor-

tnnity is passing. Turning to Britain, we find there a degree of sane and solid leadership which is worth following. New Zealand has it; task, and it is as well that at the moment our Prime Minister is in the closest touch with L.ie Motherland. He has the chance to pick up a cue which might help New Zealand to keep- an even keel, and that opportunity is sure to be made the most of.