Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1943. ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 September 1943, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1943. ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

QF the electoral campaign which is now in its last days it must be said that in great part it has suggested a much more backward state of affairs, much keener differences and sharper antagonisms than exist to any important degree in New Zealand. Tim average citizen of this country, man or woman, desires unreservedly that political, and social questions, as they arise, should be dealt with in a manner fair to all concerned. While there is this large measure of agreement, we are not all precisely of one way of thinking in regard to issues of various kinds that concern the community. Most of us, however, arc able to discuss these issues temperately and m a far better spirit than has been manifested by a majority of the candidates. who have been filling the air of late with their party and sectional clamour. n , Many of the acute divisions and antagonisms developed at election meetings have no true parallel, in the life of the people of the Dominion. Our relations with one another as neighbours, and in social, working and other community contacts, are very much more kindly and pleasant than the sound and fury of electioneering conflict would suggest. Were it otherwise this would be a much less pleasant country than it is m which to live. This is a country, if ever there was one, in which the ruling spirit in political affairs should be: Come let us reason together. Instead, however, we have at election time—-and on this occasion in spite of our being involved as a people in a ]ile and death —a wearying spate of contention often as childish as it is acrimonious, of foolish and inflated self-glorification, and of attempts to raise group and sectional feeling to fever heat. An inevitable effect of this clamour, which is at an opposite pole from helpful and illuminating discussion, is to create conditions of confusion in which it becomes difficult for the electors to use their powers wisely and in conformity with their real desires. Probably, however, there are few New Zealanders who do not perceive that in a country like this the essential, aim should be, not to stir up dissension and aggravate antagonisms, but to bring as many people as possible into broad agreement. This is the true line of democratic progress and, but for the extent to which the position and outlook are obscured by laigely artificial political conflict, as good an opportunity as could be desired exists in New Zealand for following that line. The piesent election, unhappily as it is timed, may serve a good purpose if it does something to discourage the idea that any one party is entitled to lay claim to a monopoly of political virtue, and to establish conditions in which fair and full consideration will be given not only to aims, but to the best and wisest methods of achieving them. Electors who desire to concentrate support on those who are most capable of working together for the goodof New Zealand can hardly go wrong in passing over those who have shown themselves most intent on setting people by the ears.