Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, SEPT, 27th, 1920.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, SEPT, 27th, 1920.

THE' TOE,OH OF LIBERALISM. There are those who profess to believe that Liberalism has had its day. Remarks of that nature show that • the wish is the father of the thought. The torch of Liberalism was dimmed at last election, but it is glowing brighter day by day. The two by-elections since December went to the Liberals, and the recent purging of the party is also to its advantage. The goats and the sheep are separating, and the. defection's are nothing to worry about. In point of fact they mean a sounder party in every sense of the word. There was some talk of disagreement among the party when electing a. new leader lately. Those differences have come to the surface, and the members, remaining are a more solid and reliable phalanx. But the reasons why the torch of 'Liberalism should burn brightly are because of the traditions the party has behind it in this Dominion. Speaking at Mr AVilford’s complimentary social and referring to the political association there should he between Liberal and Labor, Mr T. K. Sidev who maf he regarded now as one of the first lieutenants on the Liberal side said:—“The great traditions behind the Liberal party were a powerful incentive to future achievement. He was sorry to hear disparaging references made to the party by a section of Labour. The Liberal party had given the worker his emancipation. Not only in the days of Seddon and Balia nee were good laws made, but also in the days of Sir Joseph Ward was splendid legislation put upon the statute book. It had to be remembered that while some of the measures referred to could he easily got on the statute book to-day, it was at that time a case of fighting hard for them. They were I strenuously opposed by the then Opposition. Much of what had been won by Labour in the past had been' won through combination with the Liberal party. This was a time to close the ranks and he hoped the Liberal, Moderate Labour, and Progressive elements would combine.” That is the position for the Liberals and Progressives to consider. The temporary eclipse of the party is more serious to the country than party itself, for it is the country which is suffering most through not having the Liberals in power. This is being generally felt over the Dominion now, and a poll this December would show, a marked alteration to that of last December. The party is not numerically strong just now, and Mr Isitt has explained the position in this way:—“The party was in the numerical position it m-."-- >” to-day because when the call of Empire came and the Home Government appealed to it to put country before party it did so. Its leading members joined the National Government, and were blamed for what that Government did. All they could do was protest, and they had to take the responsibility on their shoulders The cost of living hit the working class and they were very angry and knocked out the Liberals to the benefit of the party who were responsible. A whole lot of people, now say that they put in the wrong party. Liberalism, though represented in the House by. a small number, never bad a greater bold on the hearts of the people. The boast of Liberalism was that it did not spend its energies for any one class; it held the balance even. There was no need for any extremism in tin’s land, and the poorest man had an equal voice with the rich man. We only had to stick to constitutional reform and we should avoid revolutionary notions.” The Liberal party is holding on on the right lines, and its opportunity will come again. The shin is not sinking. She is reequipped in fact, and is setting out on a voyage officered with a tried and trusty crew who have faith in their leader and confidence in tV principles they esnouse to secure the great aim of true Liberalism :—“The greatest good for the greatest number.”