REVIVAL BY WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 61, 14 March 1927, Page 8

REVIVAL BY WORK

Speculation concerning a Liberal revival under new leadership and with a new platform is idle at the present juncture. The best platform in the world will leave the public cold unless it is backed by a capable and convincing personnel. The remnants of Liberalism, under various names, do not carry conviction. Where criticism of Government policy ig necessary the public do not expect to get it from the Nationalists or Liberals. Time after time there have:been occasions when a strong lead might have b Ti given oven by a numerically weak 0; position, but the opportunity has been neglected. In the present temper of the country, and with the existing arrangement of parties, constructive criticism from the Liberals would be welcomed. Without such criticism an overwhelming Government strength may become a danger. Labour cannot meet the popular demand. Though i individual Labour members may try to tone tho red of the official policy to a pale pink, they must always come back eventually to the policy approved by a conference which knows more of Marx than of: the popular opinion of New Zealand. The Liberals cannot advance their numerical weakness as an excuse for their failure in constructive criticism. If they wrap their one talent in a napkin :xnd bury it no one will trust them with five talents. They must give some proof that they can use effectively V-> strength they possess. The Reformers wore at one time in a position similar in many respects to that occupied by tlio Liberals to-day. . They wore swamped by numbers, with no hope of carrying by vote what they contended for in debate. It is true that they had a leader, but his genius was not then recognised. Reform won through to victory only by sheer hard work—by st- dying closely each issuo which Mine before Parliament so that it was able to offer well-considered and eft'uclive criticism. If the Liberals seek a revival they must adopt the same mi 1! hotls. Casual criticism will

get them howherc, nor will it; be an effective check upon .tho Government.