THE ENGLISH LIBERALS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18230, 14 November 1924, Page 14

THE ENGLISH LIBERALS.

TO THE 2DITOR OF "THB PBKSS." Sir, —I was somewhat surprised at the spirit of contempt which you show in. your article on the Liberal Party at Home. England owes a very great debt to the: great . Liberal Party of the past, whose principles now prevail amongst all parties. The rise of Labour and the scare caused by revolutionary Russia, have, quite naturally, given the Conservatives a great majority, but it is not Liberal principles that have been defeated, but, paradoxical as it may seem, it appears to me that it is the Tory spirit that has almost disappeared - from politics; that spirit which has been so often .associated with class privileges. There are very few Tories now, and I believe that Liberal principles prevail whichever party holds the majority. . If this is so, a period of rest from. experimental legislation, such as the Labour Party, might have introduced. may be all to the good, and may be looked forward to without alarm, as very few Conservatives, of the present day, would wish to suggest reactionary legislation, which, if persisted in, would bring them into a great deal of trouble. It will, I think, be found that. it. is the old Tory spirit that has . well night disappeared, and that Liberal principles prevail amongst both parties; which 'condition lias only been attained by hard and persistent fighting on the part of the Liberals. Owing to the clash of events, the Liberals are in a small minority, but the principles which distinguished them m the past are, I .think, appreciated with that measure of respect which they have deserved, and which has caused them, to be ~ very generally adopted' by both political -parties.—Yours, eto.y HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR, ETC. "Noyepiber 13th.