MR FOWLDS INTERVIEWED.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 23, 12 September 1911, Page 6

MR FOWLDS INTERVIEWED.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, September 12. Mr Fowlds, on his arrival from Wellington, was asked if he thought his withdrawal from tlie Government meant the emergence of a new party. He replied that he hoped that would not be necessary. Ho would like to see a reorganisation of the Liberal Party on a more democratic basis. They could not brush aside the traditions and achievements of the Liberal Party in New Zealand without a great and lasting loss to the people of this country; but tlie Party could not live on traditions, and the name of Liberal alone. There was.a danger of the Party, after long years of prosperity and dominance, losing sight of its fundamental principles. The adhesion of people attracted by tlie hope of gain instead of love of principle had a paralysing effect on a Party. Parties might adhere to names while they entirely reserved their principles. Mr Massey and the Opposition were advocating one or two progressive reforms, and Tinder a new leader might easily stop in arid leave the Liberal Party sidetracked. What was wanted : was to ;get back to 'the fundamental principles formulated by Sir George Grey and Mr Ballance—tiie founders of the Liberal Party—which were capable of almost indefinite extension, and would solve many of our pressing social problems. Some of his enemies had been dangling the old bogies of single-tax and free trade. The new ■evangel whibh the Liberal Party needed did not necessarily include either single-tax or free trade, as many people understood their names; but did necessarily include increased land values, taxation, and further remission of duties on necessaries of life.