The "Liberal" Way.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14993, 13 June 1914, Page 10

The "Liberal" Way.

Wo print in another column to-day a letter in which Sir William Hall-Jonos issues a challenge to Mr Witty to give the grounds for his statement that tho ex-High Commissioner "could no longer "be regarded as a Liberal."- It will bo remembered that tho member for Riccarton uttered this criticism by way of helping out his obviously untrue statement that all the Legislative Councillors appointed by the present Government were either members of" the Reform Party or political "rejects." This is not the first occasion upon which Sir William Hall-Jones has had to protest against the moan tactics of the Wardist party—tactics which the Leader of the Opposition, if he in any way disapproved of them, would naturally bo expected to condemn and prohibit. Last October the chief Opposition organ made a gross innuendo against Sir Wil-? Ham Hall-Jones's integrity and political character, and when challenged to furnish justification, it refused to do so. The letter we print to-day* is one which tho member for Riccarton, if he is sensible and cares for the opinion of decent citizens, will not ignore, and for the moment wo may leave at that the issue botween Sir William and his critic. But there are some general observations to be made. The official Opposition party consists of about a score of experts in bitter vituperation, who have for months paraded the country vilifying every individual and every class and section of the community whom they cannot enrol under their banner. They are denouncing Sir William Hall-Jones as "no longer a. Liberal," for no better reason than that, to tho satisfaction of the whole public;* lie accepted a seat in. the Legislative Council. It is nothing to them that as a man who served his country for many years as Minister, Prime Minister, and High Commissioner, ho was extraordinarily woll-fitted for appointment to tho Council. His crime is that he did not refuse appointment and join in the uncomely exhibition which tho official |'Liberals" have been making of themselves since they, lost offico. Similarly, tho other day, Mr W. D. S. Mac Donald coarsely denounced as " a traitor to tho Liberal cause" tho Hon. J. A.- Millar, for no better reason than that Mr Millar told tho truth about the strike in a powerful speech, and has refused to assist the Atmores and Isitts and Wilfords in their unsavoury campaign against tho Government. It is incidents like theso that aro opening the eyes of tho public to the real character and composition of tho official "Liberal" Party. With the anti-Reformftrs the test of Liberalism is not adhesion to Liberal principles at all, but rancorous hatrod of the Refprm Government, and keenness in forward-

ing the campaign of vengeance. Nobody in New Zealand doubts for a moment tho integrity and tho democratic and Liberal spirit of either Mr Millar or Sir William Hall-Jones, and we feel certain that thousands of Liberals whb have until lately been uncertain whether to rely upon the Government to continue tho sound democratic course which it has steered since it took office havo been assisted towards a decision by the repulsive character of official "Liberalism/ Between men of Mr Witty's or Mr Isitt's or Mr Russell's or Mr Atmore's stamp and men of tho stamp of Sir William Hall-Jones no sensible democrat, called upon to make a choice, will hesitate for an instant. And that is the choice that all are called upon to make—the choice between unprincipled rancour and decent Liberalism. We might invito Sir J. G. Ward's followers to furnish their definition of Liberalism. Their answer would necessarily draw a

line between the flying squadron and their admirers, who disgraced the city

last Friday night, on tho ono hand aud tho ordinary democrat on tho other. But it is unnecessary to call for a definition: tho Ward'sta have almost daily for months shown us all what true Liberalism is not.