The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1921. THE NEW LABOR PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 March 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1921. THE NEW LABOR PARTY.

As national president of the National Progressive and Moderate Labor Party, Mr. C. E- Statham, M.P. has, in an interview, set forth an outline of some of the objects for which this new political party has been brought into existence. It would seem that the organisation is not only national, progressive and moderate, but lays claim to being a young New Zealand Party, therefore, representative of ■‘the whole of that great loyal section of the community which stands between extreme conservatism on the one hand and revolutionary socialism on the other.” Obviously, if such a party materialises it must embrace the great majority of the people of the Dominion. inasmuch as extreme conservatives are almost as extinct as the dodo, and revolutionary socialists, though noisily obtrusive, are numerically insignificant. On paper, this new party has distinctconcerned on both these essentials, the greater will be the success achieved.

ly attractive features, and if its aims and aspirations are to be judged by Mr. Statham’s wordpainting there is certainly no room left for any other political party in the State, so that party government would cease to exist. Moreover its platform is to be based on the principles of justice, humanity and brotherhood, thus differing only from the motto of the French revolutionaries by the substitution of justice for equality—all things considered, a commendable improvement. Mr. Statham foresees that attempts will 'be made by political opponents to belittle the movement, but surely, as the main object of the organisation is to “restore New Zealand to the proud position she once occupied in leading the world in progressive legislation,” the patriotism of the people of the Dominion would impel them, to assist and not frustrate such a worthy ambition. Moreover, it should®be noted this new party stands for sound and sane finance. It is, however, one thing to stand for sound and sane finance, but quite another matter to ensure it, and it would be interesting to know by what financial genius and by what methods this desirable boon is to be achieved. The phrase is so hackneyed that it has lost its significance, and at a time of crucial financial stress like the present it would be courting disaster to embark on experiments. Equally vague is the reference to bringing about the “cessation of that irritating and indeterminate policy which has so harrassed business men during recent years,” though it is hoped the new party will inaugurate a new era of industrial peace and prosperity, besides making everyone happy- "What more could ariy reasonable citizen wish for? Mr. Statham has -displayed the stock in trade of his new party in a way to attract those who believe in promises, but what guarantee is there of actual performance 1 ■ Undoubtedly there is room for a strong moderate progressive party to which sane Labor can attach itself and counteract the socialistic tendencies of the extremists, but the process must necessarily be gradual if it is to be permanent, and much has to be learned and unlearned before the Dominion becomes practically united in polities. The leading spirits of the new movement have ample scope for exercising their educative faculties, and if they meet with success then, in due time, the goal may be reached, but it is hardly to be expected that their professions will be accepted readily until they have made good in the eyes of the people.