LIBERALISM.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20283, 27 August 1937, Page 9

LIBERALISM.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The state of the political parties in New Zealand appears to me to represent two diametric opposites, which may lead to conditions of bitterness'and rancour harmful to the institution of Parliament, in the end arousing in the hearts of the governed a cynical contempt for Parliament and a general distrust of all men directly or Indirectly concerned with politics. I believe that the time is coming for a return to Liberalism. Professor Gilbert Murray, in pleading some years ago for a revival of Liberalism, said that we wanted to recapture the old Greek idea t»f aristocracy, as a rule of the good elements of life and a belief that we could make life a better thing.

The real Liberal has much in common with the Tory and Socialist. With the former, lie believes that our present order is ilie outcome of centuries of trial and strife, but declines to stand on the defensive when a progressive reform is needed. With the Socialist, Ihe Liberal desires to bring about an improvement in the working and living conditions of the poor; bin sometimes the method of approach to the problem differs. y. Because Liberalism has refused to uller ralchwords of Hie class-war revolutionary, or stand on Ihn defensive. like 1 lie read ionary Tnrv. who re cards rverv. ronsl rudive move as an attack on custom and tradition, it lias suffered an eclipse. We waul a spirit free from lhe.se cxlremes. ami Hut. spirit can bed. be found in the ideals for which Liberalism stands. Tho fundamental altitude of Liberalism Is a resolve In pel free rrmii all I lie forces which blind us. especially class war. self-inloresl. and ignorance, ami so find out what is lmsl. I lion do i:. II is "lie of ||, e peculiarities of man Iha I he will lend a ready ear lo the class-war revolulinnarv or extreme Tory, ile finds it difficult In heed tlm voice of reason, generosity and moderation. That is the voice of Liberalism which lias been defined as "llial principle of political rights according In which the public aulliorily. in spile of being all -powerful, limits it sol f and attempts, even at its own expense, to leave room in ilie Stale over which il rules for those to live who neither think nor feel as it does. Liberalism is the supreme form of generosil v; il |is that rigid which majorities concede 1., minorities, and lienee il is I'm noblest cry which has ever resounded .hi this planet."—l am. ere.. A. I. Hamilton, August 25,