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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 280, 29 April 1914, Page 4

MEANINGLESS POLITICS. The evolution of democracy, and the impetus given to thought in consequence of the higher intelligence due to education and intellectual development, are making themselves felt in relation to matters political as well as in other matters. As a result the shortcomings and purposeless efforts of politicians are being laid bare by the dissecting knite of public opinion. A noticeable article on what is aptly described as "Tho New Discontent" recently appeared in the London Times anent a remarkable letter by the well-known, novelist, Mr. John Galsworthy, in which he draws attention to the party bickerings, the arguments which everybody knows by heart, and the rolling periods which advance n> thing but those who utter them. "There has been in England," says the Times, "since the South African war, a remarkable stir and quickening of thought, an increase of belief in the meaning and purpose of life, but this quickening has made us aware of the absence and meaning and purpose in our politics." Although there are less politicians (in the true meaning of the word), there are far mora people now who concern themselves with what ought to be the subject matter of intellectual contempt, as one who is making a game of realities. Politics are far too important to be brought into contempt, but they are fast drifting in that direction. Another well-known writer, Mr. Wells, has made some scatcliing comments on this subject in his new volume or essays. He says: "We Western Europeans have supposed till lately that we had found a remedy for the everlasting discord between Government and the governed in our representative institutions, but the new situation which confronts our liberal intelligence is the discontent of tho enfranchised, the contempt and hostility of the voters for their elected delegates and Governments." According to tile Times, there was never more political thinking in England than at present. The same cannot be said of New Zealand, but thinking, of itself, will be of little use unless it leads to action. There is no doubt that at the present time political action is disconnected from intelligent political thought, and tho chief reason is to be found in the party government ■ system. The exigencies of this method o; government apparently necessitate tho utilisation of tho time of Parliament to party measures, to the detriment of legislation, which, though urgently neceFiSary, is either left to the chance of a private Bill or allowed to drift among the "innocents" which are annually slaughtered. If the time of Parliament were occupied in utilitarian and humanitarian measures instead of being wasted over the persistent ressurection of dry. bones, it would be much better for tile community. There is a decided feeling that the debasement of politics is growing worse rather than improving, and the thinking portion of the people, who are rapidly becoming in the majority, naturally want a readjustment in the direction of a connection between political thought and political action.