The Labour Party has always been an organisation rich in ideals. In the last three elections it has, however, been defeated. On each occasion Labour has been unable to present a radical alternative attractive enough to cut through the prevailing and possibly quite natural mood of political lethargy. The outcome of the election this year could depend to a large extent upon the results of the process of renewal within the Labour Party that has been going on for the past three years and whether this has managed to sharpen its electoral cutting edge.

The credibility of the Labour alternative government is specially important in 1969. This year's election, with the notable exception of education, has as yet provoked little controversy, but it could easily rank with 1891, 1912 and 1935 as a turning point in New Zealand's political and social history. Unlike these previous dates 1969 will not be important for the changes in policies canvassed and promoted at the polls by the incoming party but more by the attitude it adopts to the problems with which it is confronted and the responses engendered to changed circumstances. It is clear that EEC or not, New Zealand's position as the Britain of the South Pacific cannot last indefinitely and far reaching changes are likely in the next three years. To maintain a standard and quality of living equal to and surpassing that to which we are accustomed will demand a radical attempt to establish priorities for industrial, commercial and social development.