THE LIBERAL RENASCENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1928, Page 2

THE LIBERAL RENASCENCE

(!3v “X.”) (Written for “Guardian.”) The magnificent reception accorded to Sir Joseph Ward in Auckland when thousands were unalde to gain admission to the Town Hall was undoubtedly more than a personal triumph for the “giant of the old Liberal days.” It was a demonstration of political fervour and of' loyalty to the old Liberal tradition. Personally Sir Joseph Ward is in the position of being able to demonstrate that lie is actuated by flic Kotarian motto “Service before Self. ’ “I have no selfish ambition to serve— J want neither place, position, nor power. My object in responding to the call to step into the arena is to • assist the country that' l love, and to which T. have devoted a life's work.” Yes, Sir Joseph is a worthy successor of the other great Liberals. Ballance and Seddoii, who both gave their lives for their country as surely as though they had been wiped out in the great war. I had the privilege of the confidence and I trust the friendship of the late Mr Scddon. I rememlier toward thn end when the years of strenuous public work had undermined even his rugged constitution, and his medical advisers were emphatic that he could only continue to bear the strain of office at danger to his life. I remember how he made it clear to his friends that while the people trusted him he could not let them down ; that while important work lay before him he could not shirk it. He know what Liberalism meant to New Zealand: knew the sinster forces which were even then arising and required to be kept in check: knew the re-ac-tionary elements which, particularly in land policy would tend to neutralise the work of the Liberals: knew the industrial problems looming ahead, and sacrificed himself in the endoav-

our to carry on to the last the good work 'to which lie had devoted his

life. The same spirit actuated his predecessor Air Rallance who, not possessing the same vigorous personality, strong constitution or powerful physique. succumbed much sooner to the strain, hut not before leaving his “footprint on the sands of time” as one of the makers of the political history of Liberalism in New Zealand. The names of Reliance and Sodden will always he inseparably connected with the true Liberalism which has been the progressive lector in New Zealand noli Lies.

It has taken some years for Non Zealand to realise that the only possible leader to carry on the work which these great Liberals initiated L Sir Joseph Ward, who was closely associated with them and was in reality the great and responsible financier in the iSedilon ndminisfration. The onus thrown on his was so great th• it cannot be realised bv the preson’ generation. The Ballance-Seddon policy initiating as it did schemes lor land purchase, advances to settlers and other financial obligation', some of which were against the vested interest of land speculators, financial institutions and the banks, raised the cry that the credit of the country would bo ruined. I will remember the old phrase used by our Conservative friends, “galloping fo a deficit.” Rut largely owing to Sir Joseph "Ward all th'se schemes were n”t on a sound financial basis. Instead of deficits surpluses were shown in the annual financial statements, and the credit of the country increased with its prosperity.

Sir Joseph Ward lias, as might have been expected on assuming the leadership of the United (Liberal) party devoted lii.s attention to the finance necessary to meet existing conditions. The funds £0.0:10.000 to £8.000,000 pcannum will be required for advances to settlers’ and wo rivers’ homes and some C 10.000.000 to complete the present incompleled railway lines and

hydro-electric schemes. Facing the position he finds that some £70,000.000 will be required in a period from eight to ten years and shows how this may be secured—without drawing on the local money market— on such terms that it can be lent to settlers

and workers at -l:J per cent, plus one per cent sinking fund, paying off the

whole borrowing will be for sound reproductive work and investment —the line on which the old Liberal Forty finance was worked, and will not cost the people a penny in taxation. This is of course the way that any responsible statesman and financier would deal with any programme— lirsL find flu' cost, and how the money can be obtained. It is onlv the common-

-,'nse precaution that any man would lake if he wanted to buy a piano or a motor car- provided he was an honest man and intended to pay for the piano or the car. It Is only the

: -Tosnousiblo politician who starts from the other end and tickles the ears 1 f the people with promises of great things without showing how they arc to |,e paid for. or with vague reference to taxation of the “capitalist: ■ lass” or the making of a “capital” lew.

It requires a saving sense of bum'■ur to prevent irritation when we find the responsible utterances of a veteran financier like Rir Joseph Ward <'rst misrepresented- -as a proposal to borrow £70.000.00P in one year—and 1 turn condemned as a “Imoni and I urst” policy. Rut Sir Joseph is quite 1 ’si'd to not only ignorant misreprev 'lit at ion, hut to calumny and abuse. It is the fate inseparable from those who take the lead in public life. The 1 iorc credit to him that a sense e| nublie duty should over-ride personal i lclinatien and bring him again in the fore-front of the battle. Wo can ;!| sincerely hope that the veteran statesman’s health will not sillier irreparably through his public spirited action, for all must recognise that: it will he due to his wise leadership if the eo’Mitry is to regain its prosperity and the Liberal RarH- to come into being again as the leading party as of old.