THE LABOUR PARTY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 160, 6 June 1940, Page 2

THE LABOUR PARTY.

(To the Editor.! Sir,—ln last Saturday night- ! « “Evening Standard” ] read a letter over the signature of F. L. Cubitt. The opinions and sentiments expressed therein were a fading echo of those so trenchantly expressed at the Opera House a little while ago. Mr Cubitt tells us that he listened in last Thursday- evening and came to. the conclusion, after hearing Mr Armstrong’s reply to Mr Doidge, that the former’s tirade against the latter was. the strongest argument in favour of a National Government. He avers there was not one particle of commonsenso » or seriousness in the-attack. How strange; I listened in too and came to the conclusion that Mr Armstrong’s criticism of Mr Doidge’s « address .in Hamilton was appropriate and fitting. How fortunate that coirimonsense and seriousness can ' be weighed and accepted in the light of knowledge and experience. Knowing Mr Cubitt’s antipathy toward the Labour Party per press correspondence prior to the last general election, it would have been most surprising had lie concluded otherwise. In my ' opinion Mr Doidge and his typh caii be rightly designated as political “gate-crashers,” for the reason that they, wish to get into the Cabinet to cover themselves with- glory in implementing a' policy they do not believe in/ : . 1 _ Let us examine the philosophy of the National Party as propounded by Mr Doidge. In season and out of season lie has ruthlessly condemned the Labour Government’s policy and objective —the socialisation of the means of production, * distribution and exchange—and now with all the power they possess, and by an incomprehensible somersault, they are pll pleading for its immediate establishment.. Who, then,. are the most capable of implementing a policy—those who have faith and enthusiasm in the task or those who have not? -The National Party say in time of war, socialisation of all means for destruction is expedient and essential. The Labour Party say in time of peace and construction this policy is equally essential. That is the great difference, and when Mr Cubitt suggests that Mr Fraser has now an opportunity of doing one "of the greatest services to this country and the Mother Country in assisting to form a National Government, I suggest that Mr Fraser will do equally great service should, a National Government be formed'..or not, and. will still have the co-operation . and loyalty of the whole Dominion.—l am, etc., TOBY RICHARDS.