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Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3020, 21 November 1891, Page 2

The Premier is taking active steps to form a " National Liberal Federation," which, to use his words, is to be " an effective organisation of the Tthole Liberal forces ol' the colony." The main object, we are told, is for the purpose of providing funds to assist in fighting elections, without which, writes the Premier, " I havo seen great difficulty in keeping tho party together." The federation is not to conflict with any local organisation but, it is hoped, will include them all, through the principle of affiliation. What a mixture would this bo if it were possible in the smallest sense to make all the different degrees of so-called Liberals assimilate. There is the old fashioned and true Liberal at one end who believes that Liberalism means the greatest possible amount of individual freedom. At the other will be found the lladical Socialist w ho holds that individual freedom is inimical to the interests of the State and the working classes. There is yet another elsss, not composed, however, of so large a number as the two named, which miy be, as Mr Rolleston suggested, distinguished as " B Liberals," showing that they are wiling to back the Premier in taking from men that for which they have honestly paid the State, and to support him in tho imposition of class taxation nnd in all the other wild fads with which his system is thoroughly impregnated. If Mr Ballanee had been wise he would not have inaugurated the Federation. He could not possibly havo adopted a means better calculated to demonstrate that the •' Great Liberal Party " has in fact no real existence. To imagine oldfashioned liiberuls working with' either of the- utber divisions is impos- 1

silile. There is a strong feeling amongst them that, the good old ii.iiiie is tarnished when men holding Mi .• opinions of Sir R. Ktout and Mr I!allariui! adopt it. Why not call the Federation by a name which shall in - di.'iit" the opinions of its iimugurntors. "Tli" Radical, Socialistic, Confiscnti'ii Federation'' would bo much morn applicable than that.