LABOUR AND LIBERAL FEDERATION
TO THE KDITOR Sir.—ln«ptovioua letter I havo pointed out the two very great dangers which await Libera! ii) Wiiilii- (1) concession to bosaUm, wliioli by lack strenuous resistance in 1899 lost tlio two scatß in 1902, and kills tlio democratio dement in Liberalism which can only come from below to be truo: and (2) sua. picion of actiii" as a committon to the 11 trade," which is (a) n minority in tlio colony, (b) decreasin» in inllucnco iu the electorate, and (c) pledged to iho other side, Also, I expressed my disapproval of both the brewer and tlio No Lic n nso parties from the Liberal politician's standpoint, as public opinion now is. I bclievo nearly half of the No License voters would welcome stringent Stale control of tbo trade by preference, find am confident not ono per cent, of the eontinuasco voters have any sympathy with the brewers, llespcetablo hotolkeepers would do fat better as Stato officers in their presout houses; and the other sort, if they oxisb, should not,
But who would refuse a great legacy beoause he might waste it? The position is almost this. It is impossible to overestimate the value of a sound democratic Liberal organisation in Yu.'ii. Nothing else can lie brought into comparison as a means of training tlio public to_ think on the great public questions which this generation will have to decide by the 'Referendum that each year brings appreciably nearer. What greater damage can exist than for some vital mutter to bo settled by a popular vote of a public as ignorant and self satisfied as the average Parliamenta* rianP Only by constant debates on matters of public importance, confined to those (however they may differ) who earnestly desire solutions in the true inter* est of those who toil, can the people be trusted to arrive at safe decisions: and by formation of an aeiivo branch of tlio organisation of the party (which with all its shortcomings has dono more good than any other in existence) can the wishes of the educated public be met by assuring olection of members acceptable to tlio public. It takes no organisation to bo an Oppositionist : the party of resistance to any change, even to upholding legislation denounced as ruinous up to the amount of emict<merit, deserves every respect, as does the law of gravitation: but tho party that tries to alter past errors, to improve conditions for those to come, and to soften tho struggle even now, must plan to act collectively, and abovo all must organise. And ihe plain duty of the next step in organising is hero, now. A strong popular Liberal branch would be most useful in Waihi, whore the local body is more rigidly conservative in policy than any of any wealth that I know. Councillors are staggered at thoir own audacity in proposing municipal lighting though oven die Conservative, mayors of Auckland and Dcvonport lmvo led the way, some say as a countorstroke to discussion of tbo land question, ivbioh "will not down," A Liberal organisation in Waihi pledged to follow Glasgow in local policy as admittedly tho best governed town in tho world would do a world of good to tho town and in purging the Cour.cil, if a local requirement is desiderated. The fruits in tbo past that have left Waihi derelict as now may bo equally chaiged to unwise party leaders and a public shortsighted. Let it go. Neither can hurt if the party now orgunises to a platform on the old Liberal lines, "rnonsuros, not men," I myself will not again have the pleasure of leading demoeraoyat the poll, but anyono else will do as well if the public conscience is roused. '' Organise 1 'Organisel Organise!"—l am, otc, M. J. Stkwart.
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Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1032, 5 July 1904, Page 2
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631LABOUR AND LIBERAL FEDERATION Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1032, 5 July 1904, Page 2
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