The Hawera Star FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1935. LIBERALISM AND LABELS.

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 16 August 1935, Page 6

The Hawera Star

FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1935. LIBERALISM AND LABELS.

Delivered every evc_iiug by £> <> clock in Hawera, Manaia, Kaapokonui, Otakeho. Oeo, Pihauia, Opunake. Eltliam, Ngaeie Mangatoki, Kaponga. Avvatuna. Te Kiri. Mahoe, Lowgarth, Manutahi. Kakara mea, Alton, Hurleyville. Patea, VVhenua Uura, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara. Ohanga'i. Meremere, Fraser fioad and Ararata

In spite of aspersions cast upon democracy in some quarters, there must be something attractive in the idea of self-government, otherwise people would not be so insistent on having themselves known as liberals, or democrats, or progressives. Individuals and political parties in many countries go out of their way to retain the label of liberalism, even when pursuing policies which the true liberal would disown. A good example is found in the names of party groups in the French Chamber of Deputies. On the Right, or conservative side of the Chamber, i.%one. group which calls itself the Democratic-Republican Union, and another which proclaims itself to be the Social-Republican Group. Yet the parties bearing these labels are thoroughly conservative. In the centre of the Chamber, where moderates are supposed to sit, are two groups calling themselves, respectively, “Popular Democrats” and “The Radical Left.” Even the conservative Frenchman, likes to think of himself as something of a liberal, and parties which want his vote are wise in choosing names which seem to promise devotion to the ideals of the Third Republic. In the United States to-day there are New-Dealers and anti-Ncw-Dealers, both eager to be known as liberals and progressives. In Germany, the ruling party is known as National Socialists, but to aSi outside observer seems to be more autocrat than socialist. There is little doubt, however, that the inclusion of “Socialist” in the party name had a good deal to do with building up the tremendous popular support which raised Adolf Hitler to power. The inevitable conclusion from all this is that there is something deep in man which rebels against arbitrary authority. Eyery man thinks himself a king, but he would not be a tyrant, and likes his fellows to believe that he will join them in resisting injustice and oppression. Even the least liberal of politicians to-day would hardly think of organising a party to be known as “The Absolutist League,” or “The Autocrats.” He would probably get more votes if he called his party ‘.‘Republican” or “Democratic.”