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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 2, No. 12. June 28, 1939

On the Face

On the Face

On the face of things the government has become timid and reactionary, and the powers of the financier would seem to have won the day: but there are powerful forces at work on the other side. This is indicated by the emergence of a fresh crop of leaders in the Labour party all favouring a socialist policy. Messrs Lee, Lyon and McMillan seem to be the coming men of that party: and the section they represent has apparently shown its strength in the Labour conference, as the famous vote of censure on Mr. Lee was only carried by a slight majority: and it was evidently a trial of strength between the two factions.

But the most important indication of all, is the famous Lee circular which is now admitted to be genuine; it is a document which must have a profound influence upon the history of New Zealand, and as such demands careful study by any citizen who has the welfare of the community at heart. On reading it one is convinced that the basic struggle in this country to-day is between Socialism and Liberalism: and one has the uneasy suspicion that perhaps there is a wider gulf between the points of view and policies of the majority of Cabinet, and the new leaders, than between them and the Opposition.