MR. P. L. HOLLINGS AND THE WELFARE LEAGUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2708, 15 March 1924, Page 3

MR. P. L. HOLLINGS AND THE WELFARE LEAGUE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —We have read with amusement the letter of Mr P. L. Hollings appearing in your issue of the 11th inst. Our article was in no sense a criticism of any Liberal-Labour party in existence, but dealt with socialist Labour parties in general. Our object was to put the public on their guard against the professions of moderation being made by the socialists, because we are confident these are simply designed to cover their real designs of revolutionary intent. The reference we made to the British Socialist Party was based upon the utterances of its own members, including some of the present Cabinet.

We freely recognise that Mr Ramsay MacDonald is a hard worker, a Scotchman, and, no doubt, moved by deep feelings of humanity. These facts are wholly beside the question for there are others possessed of all such qualities who differ entirely with the declared political objectives of the Socialist Party that Mr MacDonald leads. Mr Stanley Baldwin is recognised, even by his political opponents, as an honest man having the highest motives and a very hard worker. In shoTt we were discussing policies not persons.

It is nonsense to refer to the N.Z. Welfare League as “self-styled” as if that were a reflection on it. Every voluntary organisation is self-sty-led. Mr Hollings should rise above such tactics. Evidently he believes the Home Country has elected a Liberal-Labour Government, which shows how the Socialist camouflage has actually deceived him. We have no objection to a Liberal-Labour Government that is sound on the Empire and the Nation’s interests. The League’s opposition is to any party whose declared objectives are such as must weaken the Empire, and whose declared aims are communistic since they abolish private ownership and individualism in favour of State ownership and control.

These are the fundamental policies dividing the world to-day —on the side of individual liberty and enterprise, we find Liberal and Conservative parties united on this point, but dividing our strength by fighting one another on less important matters —on the side of State ownership is the united party of Socialists, who gain the power they have only because the opponents are dis-united.

The Welfare League was formed to use its influence to procure the unity of the constitutional elements in polities, by which alone individual Iberty can be assured. It always has worked on these lines, and will continue to do so.

Mi- Hollings’ remarkable assumption of knowledge that we are a “conservative” body and opposed to “Liberal-Labour’’ is really amusing, as the slightest enquiry would have shown him that he is entirely mistaken. Only last week I had the greatest difficulty in refuting a charge that the Leagug was antiReforin, anil working for the Lib-eral-Labour Party 1 i have many meetings in various centres aud never know which accusation 1 have got to face. The only charge we have not had made against us is a leaning towards Communism 1 A body with no axe to grind in favour of some party or section is a new departure, and as the only one of its kind in New Zealand, we are open to misunderstandings. But it doesn’t worry us in the least, —

Yours etc., ARTHUR P. HARPER, (Secretary N.Z. Welfare League.