THE MANTLE OF SEDDON

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22513, 22 September 1938, Page 7

THE MANTLE OF SEDDON

' TO THE EDITOR Or THE PRESS. Sir, —In to-day’s issue there is a letter signed “Liberalism” in which ,the writer claims that the legislation passed by the Seddon Government was not Socialistic. You have mdde , the same claim. It is not-strictly true. It

is correct that Mr Seddon was not a Socialist, but all laws that conflict with monopoly interests are attacked [by the party of privilege represented by the National Party. “Liberalism’ knows Sat the Ballarice-Seddon Cabinet was denounced by ‘‘The Press as the •‘seven devils of Socialism.”. In 1891 “The Press” in leading editorials said. “This increasing clamour for legislative interference with the business or life which amounts to State Socialism cannot but have the most disastrous effect on the prosperity of the country. Again: “The Socialists amongst us should not be ashamed to declare themselves in their true colours instead of endeavouring to win support by wrongfully appropriating the title of Liberal. Their schemes are not Liberal at all. but Socialistic. Their leading idea is that the State should be With us in every department of life from the cradle to the grave.” . . In the last sentence of his letter “Liberalism” claims that the mantle of the great Liberal had descended upon the shoulder of the high priest of reactionary Conservatism and commercialised greed, Adam Hamilton. It would make him turn over in his grave if he knew that the leader, of the party that charged him with bribery was hailed as his successor in New Zealand, —Yours, etc., F. W. BOURKE. September 21/ 1938.