The Waikato Times FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1939 INCREASING GOODWILL

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20739, 24 February 1939, Page 6

The Waikato Times FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1939 INCREASING GOODWILL

He tv as confident that the spirit of goodwill that was growing throughout the country would find expression at the conference he intended to call In discuss conditions on the waterfront, the Hon. P. C. A\ ebb said when announcing the intention to hold the conference. That spirit of goodwill is precisely what is required in greater measure in New Zealand to-day. It is gratifying to know that Mr M ebb, who is in an excellent position to judge, has observed such an improvement in relations between employers and employees, for the

co-operation of all sections of the community is the only factor that will make a success of (he evolutionary changes that are inevitably taking place in the country.

Too much political feeling and too much controversy have been rampant in New Zealand in recent years. If the country is divided against itself it cannot hope to prosper. Politics is not a profitable business when it is allowed to interfere with and clog the wheels of legitimate industry. Of course political trends must be discussed from all points of view so that the electorate may form reasoned judgment, but there is a point at which political destructiveness becomes definitely unpatriotic. After all, there is the periodical check of the ballot box, and in the intervals between, every person owes a duty to the country.

Political intolerance is one of the greatest evils to-day. Reasoned criticism should be welcomed and examined for the value of its content, but blind class hatred is another matter. New Zealand is rapidly progressing somewhere, and it was never in greater need of co-operative effort and the spirit of goodwill which Mr Webb has found to be developing. If the electorate concludes the Government is going in the wrong direction it will have the remedy in its own hands, but in the meantime individuals should not invite ruin by destructive tactics. And when criticism is offered the reigning political party should equally remember the main objective. Greater tolerance, co-operation, unbustled reasoning and alertness for the welfare of the country are characteristics that might well be developed further.

The Dominion’s greatest asset is the character of its people, and it is that inherent character that will eventually triumph. The sweeping change in political control in 1935 inevitably led to an unprecedented upheaval in the relations of one section with another. In the democratic way the new set of circumstances was again submitted to the vote in 1938. Again in 1941 the people will be free to say whether the}’ wish to proceed on the road now being followed. The formation of judgment for that occasion can best be assisted by everyone performing his duty in the widest sense of the term.