THE PERILS OF LIBERALISM

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9173, 13 October 1915, Page 3

THE PERILS OF LIBERALISM

To the Editor “N.Z. Times.” Sir, —It was quite refreshing in these days of namby-pamby journalism to read this morning your whole-hearted denunciation of the National Cabinet and all its works. So far as I have observed, the ‘‘New Zealand Times” is the only metropolitan newspaper that could have given us such a treat with perfect consistency. You opposed the nationalisation of our politics from the first day it was proposed till the day before it was accomplished. Although some progressive Liberals may have questioned your methods, they all must have admitted your spirit. But having said this much, perhaps I may be allowed to make a mild protest against youy l sweeping criticism of the Liberal members of the Cabinet and your assertion that the Liberal party is in danger of being rent asunder by “petty jealousy and miserable heartburning.’’ To begin with, your complaint that with the exception of the portfolio of Finance, allotted to Sir Joseph Ward, only the barest of bare bones have been thrown to the Liberal representatives in the Cabinet is not justified. Critics on the other side of politics are crying out that all the portfolios which really matter just now have been handed over to Sir Joseph Ward; but that, I suppose you will say, is the Reformers’ way of ministering to the Liberals’ “vanity” and inviting them “to assist in the furtherance of Reform designs.” It will not be a very convincing retort, but we will let it pass for. what it is worth. It is. however, only by comparison with Sir Joseph Ward’s .big load that the other Liberal Ministers appear to bo lightly burdened with power and responsibility. Mr Russell, as Minister for Internal Affairs, is dealing with a variety of important matters which touch the daily lives of the people much more intimately than does the management of the railways or the supervision of the country’s public works. Mr Myers, who still has something to learn about the art of selfadvertising, is unostentatiously applying his business knowledge and methodical ways to departments which have been crying aloud for the very qualities he possesses in an eminent degree, while the remaining Liberal Ministers. without fuss or display, are looking after Justice, Marine, Agriculture, Mines, Education, and a dozen other departments of vital concern to large sections of tho community.

When’you reproach the Liberal Ministers for not opposing the proposals of the Cabinet,’ when they do not happen to accord with their own personal views, you surely are forgetting the fundamental principle of Cabinet rule. If the differences of opinion adjusted in the Cabinet room were revived on, the floor of : the House' no doubt it would be highly diverting to the galleries. but it would be fatal to constitutional government. Under normal conditions the dissenting Ministers might resign and free themselves from any unpleasant restraint;but the conditions which produced the National Cabinet were not normal and the Minister who ran away from his obligations in the present crisis, oven to save his own political reputation with the unthinking multitude would show himself-unworthy of ; a great opportunity for disinterested , service. ; It is obvious to everyone who cares to look that the Liberal members of the Cabinet are in an extremely trying position. They and their party have been called upon to make all the sacrifices in connection with the nationalisation of the politics of the country. They have had to block their way to office by a much more agreeable route for a couple of years at least, and meanwhile they; have to endure the ill-concealed glee of their political opponents and the users of their political friends. If they have accepted this position from choice-and not solely from a high, sense of public duty they must be very differently constituted from the average healthy man. _ _ As to the i decadence of the Liberal party. I have left myself no space to discuss your fears, but 1 may .be permitted to say that I am delighted indeed to find you calling us back to first principles, and the rights of the democracy. May your appeal attain a ready response.—l am, etc., RADICAL. October 12th.