LIBERALISM CUM SOCIALISM.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 823, 23 May 1910, Page 3

LIBERALISM CUM SOCIALISM.

Sir, —Your article on "Natural Law and Race Betterment 1 ' comes as quite a relief after so often wading through columns condemning our railway system, or deploring the Socialistic tendencies of the politics of this country,, and the enormous amount of evil that; is so evident to you, through a Liberal Government being in power so long. I am not going to deal with your article in a comprehensive manner; the arguments raised cannot bo settled by newspaper controversies. The whole system' of modern society will 'have to be remodelled on broad Socialistic and humane lines before this question of race betterment is an established fact. However, the following opinion expressed by f yourself is, I think, deserving of comment. "To the same spirit of false sentiment which in New Zealand is called humanism, is duo to the Socialistic experiments of a degenerate Liberalism, this spirit shows, itself everywhere in industry, in politics, and religion." lam not aware that this country is abounding in false sentiment. 1 deny that this spirit is everywhere. What you mean by false sentiment is, I suppose, the humane and kindly interest that is always shown here to thoss who aro unable in some way to compete in tho struggle for existence, ! something wanting either mentally or physically. Liberalism in any form whatever always with you finds ill favour, so when you say Socialistic experiments are degenerating Liberalism, wo know that such utterances are not tho outcome of generous independent and liberal thougnt, but tho remarks of one. narrowed down by political prejudice until you imagine is being rushed headlong into everlasting ruin, aud the Socialistic tendency ol tho Liberals and the false sentiment which you see everywhere is responsible for it. It is Sooialistic experiments thab is giving Liberalism to-day a wider and nobler horizon, a clearer and kindlier outlook, a feeling that men and women much be cared for and protected no mattor what position modern society has forced them into. While Liberalism is doing all this they are gradually endeavouring to remove the environment that liko a wall of external blackness crushes on all sides those whom we no glibly call social outcasts and degenerates. Our Liboralism is not degenerate, but strengthening, uplifting, and encouragftig. How can wo he stern and cold with thoso who find themselves in a position from which they cannot without assistance extract themselves,

forced there by conditions of society, over which thoy liavo no control, and then dubbed wastrels. If its false sentiment to make tho lives of these people a little bettor and encourage them in overy way to better things/ then all I ask is that the Lord in His goodness

will give us more of it. A few seasons of liberal-minded kindnoss will do moro to regenerate the degenerates that anything I know of, that and tho Socialistic tendency of Liberalism to giyo evervone if possible an even start in life," but- not to . start life bound with all tho misories of hell, knowing their

lives must lie a failure, and then class them social outcasts. In politics, industry, and religion may tlio Liberal Socialistic tendency of this Dominion increase and multiply, so that, the betterment of the race will not be so much empty talk, but an established and glorious fact. —I am, ctc.,' LIBERAL.

[Possibly, if our correspondent will trouble to'read our article again he may be able to grasp what we really did say and not misrepresent our attitude towards humanitarian effort as he has done on tlio present occasion.] '