Liberalism

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 232, 13 September 1922, Page 4

Liberalism

FINDLAY'S DEFINITION. THE BEST YET GIVEN. IN TUNE WITH MASSEY’S POLICY (Special to “Tribune.”) Wellington, September 12. There was recently published over the signature of Sir John Findlay an article defining Liberalism. It was referred to in the House of Representatives to-day. when Mr. G. y’itty (Riccarton), on behalf of the member for Wairau (Mr. McCallum), asked the Prime Minister whether he had read the definition, and Whether he would give it hia cordial support And carry it into effect. Mr. Massey said he had read the article with a great deal of interest. He was prepared to go further, and say he believed it was the best definition of Liberalism he had ever come across, and to sav that he agreed with every expression of opinion contained in it. Possibly, for the benefit of those who had not read the article, Mr. Massey picked out some of the main points which had attracted his notice. These were:— “Freedom for each man to make the best use of the energy and faculties with which Nature has endowed him. “It fosters individual effort, by which alone a nation can progress in comfort, security, and general well-being. "It favours Governmental encouragement to honest effort in the field, workshop, or commerce, and offers no countenance to monopolies, public exploitation, or individual or collective go-slowism. "It stands for land for the competent landless, work for the willing worker, capital for the soil-man who can use it prudently and productively, and educational training for all to equip them for the race of life. “Above all, it stands for security for law and order, so that each shall have secured to nim the fruit of hia labour. The keynote is freedom ano equality.” Mr. Massey added tjiat. by implication, Liberalism stood for progress industrially, commercially, and financially. and consequently it had his hearty support. There was one thing he would add, and that was the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you,” but that was not a matter of politics. Mr McCombs (Lvttelton); But those are not politics; those are platitudes. Mr. Massey: It is good enough for the Reform Party, and I am willing to adopt it.