LIBERALS AND LABELS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21630, 14 November 1935, Page 9

LIBERALS AND LABELS

TO THB KDITOE 0» THS SSESS. Sir,—The view is frequently expressed by Reformers that there is no fundamental difference between Reform and Liberal policies, a view that apparently has your support, but one to which few Liberals will subscribe. May I suggest that it is put forward as a salve to the consciences of those who have deserted their party. You tell us that the "sentimental appeal of the word Liberal was responsible for the success of Sir Joseph Ward in the election of 1929 (was it not 1928?). That is quite an original idea, as Reformers generally attribute it to the £70,000,000 bait, but may I suggest that the real reason was the undoubted fact that the electors were thoroughly disgusted with the government under the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, and demanded as they are demanding now, a change of administration. Liberals will appreciate your reference to Mr Seddoa "as the most outstanding personality" and the period as that of the "greatest economic and social advancement in the history of New Zealand." but will disagree with your conclusions. Liberalism certainly does not and never did connote a laissez-faire policy. Quite the contrary, which is responsible for the sweeping Liberal victories in Canada, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, and was characteristic of that great soldierstatesman. Sir George Grey, Ballance, Seddon. and Ward. It is quite true that New Zealand's prosperity was largely due to the "changes in tech- ! nique of production and marketing."* I but the Liberal land policy of subdivision of large estates, enabled it much larger number to benefit by those changes. Your statement that "declining prosperity was mainly responsible for the final defeat of the Liberals at the polls" is scarcely correct The bait of the freehold to Crown tenants, who were anxious to secure to themselves the unearned increment on their farms, a direct result of the prevailing prosperity, thrown out by Mr Massey, was the principal factor, and the maintenance in power of Reform was made possible by the "ratting" of three Liberals, two of whom were rewarded by being appointed to the Legislative Council. The fundamental difference between Conservatism and Liberalism is that while the former stands for class legislation, of which there is ample evidence in the legislation of the last four vears, which has benefited the large land owner chiefly, the small farmers being in many cases penalised. Liberalism stands for legislation tot the whole community. In conclusion, may I quote the Prime Minister who said. "One of the things that distinguished a liberal from other parties (Reform) was that Liberals were prepared to do things necessarv for the good of the country."—Your* etc., I „ . R. B. DALLEY. ' l November 13, 1835.