THE LIBERAL PARTY AND SOCIALISM.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 210, 16 November 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE LIBERAL PARTY AND SOCIALISM.

Mr. H. M'. Hynmas sends a letter to The Times expressing the opinion that the collapse of Liberalism seems certain to bo permanent. The party was always a' party of opportunism and makeshift. Tho " leaders" are all too incompetent to lead and too conoeited to follow. Their party, consequently, alike in tho House and in tho country, had become nothing better than a political mob. At tho same time the growth of Socialism has rendered it quito impossible for either Liberals or Radicals to hold office again unless the Socialists choose. The Social Democratic Federation.and the Independent Labour party are steadily gaining ground, and recent events have brought them much closer together than they have ever yet been. So soon as an arrangement is arrived at existing factions here as elsewhere will find an organized, educated, and determined Social Demooratio party hanging on their flank, and taking advantage of every hitch or difficulty to push forward its own collectivist solution of the serious social questions which all admit are the pressing problems of the near future. The present obsolete system of reßistration, voting and payment of election expenses cannot be maintained much longer; and directly genuine democratic arrangements are substituted for tho existing plutocratic dodgery Socialism will be fully represented in the popular Assembly. Unless _ the Liberals and Radicals wish to remain in a pesition of permanent impotence they had better begin to study and assimilate what wo conceive to bo tho truths of Social Democracy.