Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1893.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4492, 9 August 1893, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1893.

Sm Robert Stout is the exponent of what he terms the new liberalism. The following quotation has recently been used by him to define bis creed;—

We have not abandoned our old belief in liberty, justice, and self-help, but we say under certain conditions the people cannot help themselves, and then they should be helped by the State, representing the entire people. Three conditions are necessary,— " (1.) It must be of primary social importance.

"(2.) It must be practicable. " (3.) It must not diminishself-relianco."

The social reformers of Europe from whom Sir Sober l takes his advanced views may ha?ei certain surroundings whioh justify the advocacy of a new liberalism of this type but in this favoured colony'we fail altogether to discover conditions whioh cull for state intervention. It would also be simply absurd to test the labour measures of the party now in power by tho three conditions named by Sir Robert. Are any of them of primary importance ? Why three-fourths of the workingmen in New Zealand know little about . them and care less. Are they practicable ? The Government are very much afraid to enforce them in nny shape or form, they are simply kept to look at and speak of, There has absolutely been no convictions under the Labour Ads because the powers that be, know that they will no( stand the strain and that to enforoe them would be the first step towards their repeal. Do they diminish self reliance? As far as shams may do they operate in this direction, We fancy Sir Robert Stout's ideal man ought not to be s free man in a free country, bulsimply to be locked up in a gaol where the State could do everything for hoi and develop him under perfect'.editions. His food would be regulated for him so that he escaped dyspepsia on the one hand and starvation on the other. He would not be allowed to impair his constitution by indulgence in either alcohol or tobacco, He would be neither underworked nor overworked, his surroundings would be clean and wholesome. At every tujn lie would be watched,and regulated, so that whether sleeping or waiting he would be controlled by prudent .regulations which wo aid prevent him injuring either himself or his fellows. The new Liberalism may be eminently suited for an incarcerated population or a degraded type of people who will be better off bs State slaves, and who are inoapable of fighting the battle oi life for themselves,; but it is neither needed nor aakedfor by the free colonists of New Zealand. ' : .'--- ..-'