THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1947 THE WIDER ISSUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26618, 14 November 1947, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1947 THE WIDER ISSUE

When the local body elections are held next Wednesday the voters will not go to the polls with their minds occupied only with local body affairs. Political feelings to a greater or less extent will influence the voting of almost everyone. This is an undesirable state of affairs, but through the tactics of one party a political challenge has been made and it cannot be ignored. It is right, therefore, that the electors should consider the wider issue which is now involved—that is, they must cast their votes not for an individual, but for or against the Labour Party. It has been made obvious that the Labour Party, wherever it is to be found, is concerned not with the welfare of a city or with the progressive administration of a hospital or a harbour board, but with extending political control to those institutions. Its aim is the complete domination of the people by the State, and it is prepared to attain its end by working downwards from the seats of Government or upwards from a seat on a borough council or a rabbit board. It is assisted not only by its supporters but also by a large section of voters who are not primarily politically minded. It is these people who require to be warned about the nature of their votes next week.

Labour administration has shown itself to work to a pattern, and recent events at home and abroad reveal the ultimate nature of that pattern in a most disturbing manner. In England the Labour Government has repeatedly concerned itself with dogma rather than facts. It is creating a steadily growing opposition—the result of the local body elections in England and Scotland was one indication of this—-but it continues to force its legislation through by any available means. The attempt to curtail the veto power of the House of Lords in order to secure the passage of further nationalisation measures before the term of the present Parliament has lapsed shows the lengths to which it is prepared to go. The same lesson is to be learned from the history of the Bank Nationalisation Bill in Australia. This measure has brought about the defeat of a State Government simply because it was a Labour Government and the people have revolted against the domination of Labour. In New Zealand the Labour Government holds power by the narrowest of margins yet it legislates as though it had an overwhelming mandate from the people. It is determined to socialise this country as much as it can before it has again to face the electors. By abolishing the country quota it obtained an extension of time which it has used to tamper with the industrial legislation to suit its present convenience and it has introduced measures such as the workers’ insurance scheme which is simply an attempt to increase its power. Such is the nature of Labour Government. This is the wider issue which is involved in the “ Labour ticket ” which has been thrust upon the people at the local body elections. It is not enough now to deplore the introduction of politics into such matters —it is necessary to stamp out such doctrine wherever it raises its head.