Democratic UNION.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 246, 14 March 1888, Page 6

Democratic UNION.

Tri;: following letter addressed by Mr F. J. iMocs, M.U.R., to Mr C. W. flight, Piefcident Radical Jleioim League, was read ab the meeting of the League on March 5, and its consideration ileterrocl to a special meeting, at which Ml" Mo*s is to bo invited to at. tend :—: — " Dear Sir, — [ have to thank the League for the copy ot its mnmfe.sto. A careful' peru&al leads me respecifully to suggest; the great public sjervico which the League would render if it could unite under one banner tho Libeuds who aie now split; into sections and me thus depri\ed of aju&t influence i 1 the legislation and administration ot the colony. ''Tories and Conservatives, bound together by material interests, pride of powei and cla?^ sympathy, know how tosub-> oidinatc indi\idual opinion to the union by which they aie enabled to control the government oi the colony. Liberals and Radicals can ha\ cno such dclinite ties. They ■would be incompatible with the broader humanity, wider sympathy, and higher patriotism on -which their political creed rests. '' Have not the English I'arty names losb their meaning in New Zealand ? We are, and must be, in the natme of things, a. Democracy ; and would it not be better to bring words and facts into accord by adopting the comprehensive name of Democrat instead 'i There ai c many measures onwhich Liberals and Radicals differ, but in the broad piineiple of I'olitcal Equality — the foundation of Domociaey — they have a common ground. Why not rally upon that ground and form a gieat Political Association, in which every member would be bound to meige hi^> own view on particular mea&uieo until he shall have converted a majority of the Association to his side? I sec no other way in which steady and elective action is possible. J "The Radical Reform League, moiefittingly than any other body, could initiate a movement ioi the formation of a Democratic Union if the proposal meet with its approval. The purposes- of the UnLn might be expressed in a few clear principles to which Liberals and Radicals could readily subscribe. For example :—: — '•(1) Equal Rights— Constitutional and Legal. " (2) Free Public School**, as the soundestfoundation for political equality and the ■ best safeguard against future Class Rule. "(8) Decentialisation, a* the foundation of Liberty, and only security against waste and corruption. " (4) Maintenance of public rights and promotion of public good. "Ne\er was> an a&sociation so needful as now when v\ c are on the eve of a conflict of interests, brought upon the countiy by the presume of a gi eat external debt and by the reaction from a general inflation which the expenditure of borrowed money naturally pioduced. " A Democratic Union such as 1 have suggested would be of no class. Ib would appeal to all who desire to save New Zealand from the pauperism and terrible evils under which the countries of the Old World hopelessly groan. It would appeal to all who desire to see New Zealand become the cherished home of an educated, industrious, prosperous, and contented ueople. Surely union for thee© I ends is practicable, and what greater pervice could the League render than to bring ib about? For my part I shall be proud to be of use in any direction that the League might consider most suitable. V) " Yours faithfully, IC -F. J. Moss/