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Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1933, Page 4

“Wjiex we speak of a possible dictatorship we cannot differentiate between dicta torsbip from tbe right and dictatorship from tbe left.” said Mr A. G. Wulkdon, in bis presidential ad-

dress at the British Trades Union Congress. “If it is wrong for Hitler to win elections by suppressing the newspaper organs and the public meetings of those opposed to him, it would be equally wrong to win Co-operative Party elections by forcefully suppressing the light of expression of those opposed to co-operation. If a Labour or Co-operative Party dominating our British Parliament were to adopt such measures it would have to be conceded that any other party in a temporary spell of power would have the right to use the same methods; and, if it did, those who now foresee the need for a dictatorship of the left would be the first to cry out. Government ‘by decree’ has become a new' idea in Labour politics; but what is the difference' between law by a decree of the party in office and a law by Order-in-Council ? And who protested against law by Order-in-Council more t .an tile supporters of the Labour Government? The rule of Parliamentmust be maintained on the democratic vote, or we shall have a dictatorship winch no thinking body in Great Britain wants. Co-operators are still old-fashioned enough to believe that the voice of the people is still the voice of God. It is still the law. If the voice of the people sings a tune that is misunderstood, it can always be changed; but trade unionists, cooperators and members of our lotigestablished and commendable friendly societies, Will still cling to the tradition that he who pays the piper is entitled to call the tune. If the tune grates on some ears it Is still what the people have called for. Let us say this also in this connection: The British Parliamentary system is the best yet. It might, or it might not, be improved by the adoption of th© proportional representation system—on that we stil have an open mind—but it is a democratic system with adult franchise.”