Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, FEB. 10, 1923. THE BALANCE OF PARTIES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2541, 10 February 1923, Page 2

Manawatu Herald SATURDAY, FEB. 10, 1923. THE BALANCE OF PARTIES.

MANY people are disturbed over the present political situation. They see before them a balance of parties which at most will give the Government but a narrow majority, and they ask “what can any Government do under such eirt umstnnces?” “Well indeed, it is most troubling' for those who think of Government as a machine to effect all ends that the people wish to reach. Emerson has reasoned out that for even- trouble in life there is somewhere existent a compensating advantage. After all is it not rather an evil of our time that we look too much to the Government and Parliament to do everything for ns.

j HAS it not become a well recognised j fact that for years past it In, is been the practice of Governments and Parliaments to boast at the,end of each session of t ho number of measures placed on the Statute book? An achievement of the most doubtful value and accomplished at enormous expense to the country. Is it-not also indisputable that most of the deputations—deputationing has become a science in this country—that wait upon, and waste the time of over-worked Ministers, have, as a rule one object only in view, viz.—the initiation of legislation to meet some grievance or supposed disability? The answer in very many eases should be “go and work out your difficulties for yourself; practice self reliance and do not regard legislation as a panacea for all ills real or imaginary.”

THE common illusion which controls the mental outlook of all'of us sometimes and some of us at all times, is that it is’ essential to keep the legislative machine*-constantly active in turning out fresh legislation. Democracy means self government but we forget too often that most of business of the State in Industry, Trade and Commerce, and Social betterment can be accom-

plished better by individual initiative on the part of the citizens than by reliance on legislative manufactures and bureaucratic direction. There can be too much of legislative interference and red tape regulation of the business affairs of our country. Those most conversant with the practical side of affairs say there has been far top much interference of recent times. Let us think of how much tiie early pioneers accomplished, without legislation, and what is done to-day in many directions free from Government control. This might hearten and stimulate us to a greater self reliance.

THE narrow margin between the parties in our present Parliament may have a compensating advantage for the country in that we are likely to have less legislation rushed forward than previously. This would constitute a blessing. At present the Dominion wants a rest from the turmoil of .conflicting enactments and (lie confusing views about same. Our trade and finance is on the mend and those most concerned would be glad to have a relief from any new regulations and directions in order to concentrate on the work of rebuilding in which they are engaged. To this end we would respectfully advise that Parliament should leave business enterprise and all connected with its control severely alone.

* * * DO you ever calmly think of the multitude of Acts of Parliament? It must be evident that few of us, if any, know the laws of our country. A great deal of this legislation run through by Parliament, session after session, cannot be regarded as “fresh,” and we are not sure that much of it is healthy. It is the general experience that Acts are passed and what is in them comes only to be understood when by application, they cause trouble, inflict hardship or create a blockage in some direction, then, the cry comes for amendment when often it would be better to repeal altogether. If the members of Parliament of all parties would at this time determine to serve the. country only they might do so best by refraining from passing any new Acts of .or at least only those, which, after mature consideration, it is agreed upon, are absolutely necessary, and there are one or two of such. There is enough work to be done in the revision of existent faulty legislation and improving the administration to keep the Government and Parliament fully occupied for a considerable time.

A LEGISLATIVE rest will, we think benefit the health of the body politic. Fewer Acts of Parliament and a great deal more thought towards their construction is what would be of benefit at all times. Politics has its place, but politics at all times, and in everything, is an evil which prevents the natural growth of a strong, virile, self-reliant citizenship on which, after all, the future of our country depends.