Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1938. DEMOCRACY’S BIG DAY.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1938, Page 6

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1938. DEMOCRACY’S BIG DAY.

TN these days almost anyone is liable to assume, or usurp, the right to decry and deride democracy, borne critics of the admittedly imperfect social organisation of countries still enjoying a measure of freedom are fond of inviting them to contrast their “ weakness ’’.and “inefficiency” with the “strength” and “efficiency” of the totalitarian States, in which people are terrorised and bludgeoned into a remarkable semblance of unity and are privileged to undergo much hardship and deprivation in order that the national military machine may be expanded and enlarged to the limit. Something should he done in New Zealand on Saturday to repel and expose these libels on democracy.

Mr Bernard Shaw has been saying of late that “democracy, as we know it, is a fraud,” and again that: “The Government (he was speaking of the British Government) is so powerful that it can do what it like?: with us.” Though he is rated as a man of genius, Mr S.haw’s observations on these subjects are demonstrably foolish and false. Powerful as the government of a democracy may be once it has been installed in office, with the support of an elected majority in Parliament, there are limits at all times to the exercise of its power and the day comes when it must place itself in the hands of the people, to be spared or cast aside as they by their votes may determine.

The point to be appreciated on such an occasion as falls due in New Zealand on the day after tomorrow is that‘a democracy is weak and inefficient only in the extent to which its citizens fail to appreciate • and exercise the privilege of bringing a decisive influence to bear upon the conduct and direction of public affairs. An enlightened use by the people of their sovereign power plainly must lead to a good result. The great danger a democracy has to guard against is that of accepting false, reckless, or incompetent leadership. , .. . w

The detail questions at stake in this election have been enlarged upon almost ad nauseum for a good many weeks past. The electors have- heard more than enough, from opposite standpoints, about the financial policy favoured by the Labour Party—the policy of maximum expenditure and high taxation —and the more cautious policy favoured by its opponents. All electors of normal intelligence should be well able to judge for themselves whether the Labour Party has made firm and assured provision for the benefits promised under its social security scheme, or has merely made, in that department of policy and others, an initial plunge into a wild orgy of inflation by which all sections of the community would suffer. It is for the people to bring their own judgment and common sense to bear upon these issues, remembering that when things go wrong it is the people, rather than politicians, who pay the piper and bear the brunt.

If the" electors of the Dominion safeguard their own individual interests, as they vote on Saturday, they will safeguard the democracy. It need be urged only that the political decisions of a free people should be based upon an intelligent examination -of realities and not upon a weak acceptance of airy promises and catch-cries, taken on trust.

With inconsiderable exceptions, we are all of us in this country intent upon a progressive improvement in working and living standards. It is for the electors to select the safest and most assured line of advance that is available. The opportunity that will confront the electors on Saturday is one to be envied by the people of any democracy. The essential issue is between two parties sharply opposed in method, though much less so in ultimate aim. Both parties are strongly organised. There is no question in this election of the voters being baffled and confused by an undue multiplicity of candidates and issues. In all but an inconsiderable number of the electorates there will be a straight-out contest between two candidates on what may fairly be called a single commanding issue plainlydefined. In a nutshell, that issue is whether the extension of State action and expansion of expenditure under Labour rule are or are'not running the country into trouble, or even disaster, which would react heavily on all sections of the population.

The electors, it may be hoped, will make good use of an exceptional opportunity by mustering in full strength on Saturday. There have been few occasions in the later political history of the Dominion on which the way has been opened by any means as dearly to a decisive electoral verdict.