A THIRD PARTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26842, 5 August 1948, Page 6

A THIRD PARTY

Sir. —In a leading article you claim that the National Party is the repository and dynamic of Liberalism. I think few Liberals would agree with you. How far apart the National Party is from the fundamental principles of Liberalism is definitely shown in the last Hansard, which reports the debate on the Havana Trade Agreement. With one honourable exception in the person of Mr Clifton Webb the National Party opposed the agreements. This was a very effective test, for basically the agreements were designed by liberal economists and statesmen to free the world from nationalistic trade barriers, and therefore it should have had a warm welcome from Liberals everywhere, and only, certain escape clauses condemned. It would be hard to find any other particular Instance where the National Party carried on or carried out the Liberal tradition of opposition to privilege, help for the masses, and the widest possible policy of international co-operation. The Labour Party can say that they have developed further Liberalism’s social legislation, but they have departed from Liberal principles in trade restriction, monetary management, ana by increasing Instead of curtailing State privileges. . . Many good things have come out of Central Otago, and it would do much if it started a Liberal organisation that kept before the pubic the Liberal outlook, for it has been truly said that “ Liberalism is one of the scarcest commodities to-aay, and I would add one of'the most essential.—l am. etc.. Miner.