A CALL TO LIBERALISM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 225, 22 September 1932, Page 6

A CALL TO LIBERALISM.

I am one, amongst others, who, I am sure read with pleasure your admirable leader in the issue of September 3 on the above subject. I met an old Liberal member some time ago. He is not now, nor has he been, in Parliament for some time. He gave me his opinion that the time was never more opportune than the present to revive the old party. There are many old Liberals still alive who] like my friend, reckon they are "too old" to take a leading part in an election, but' still, as he says, "hope to live long enough to see its successful revival." There have been several letters published during the last twelve months signed by "Liberals," "old" and otherwise, disclosing the fact that there is still a flicker of the old spirit alive. As far as the United party is concerned, it appears to be practically dead. The only mention I have seen of it functioning was in Dunedin when a committee gave a social to Mr. Taverner. Quite a number of our old members gave support to the United party, though not liking the name, because we thought it was to be an effort to .bring about a union of the Liberals and the saner Labour element. We were disappointed. Instead it led to coalition with the party whom we were banded together to oust. There used to be complaints of the Cabinet being a, bucolic one. It is so now," only more so. As things'go we really have not any Government in one sense. It is all Orders-in-Council, commissions and committees, of which I consider not any of them have justified their cost to the country. I sincerely hope that the Government may see its way to rescind the arrangement made to ; extend the life of Parliament to four years, having the election at the usual time, and that there may be a good, strong LiberalLabour party readv to fight and win. OLD LIBERAL-LABOUR.