BRANCH FORMED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27057, 16 April 1949, Page 4

BRANCH FORMED

FEDERATION OF LIBERALS FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS The matter of contesting the 1949 election tvas under consideration, and would be further discussed and probably decided upon on receipt of the national organiser’s report and recommendations, stated Mr G. P. Cuttrlss, national organiser of the Dominion Federation of Liberals, at a meeting

on Wednesday night. Mr D. Williams, who was in the chair, referred to the rise and progress of Liberalism throughout the Empire, and expressed the opinion that the time was opportune for the.,re-entry of Liberalism into the political arena. Although the meeting was small, he was not discouraged, Mr Williams added, and he was confident that the membership would grow. t> Mr Cuttriss said New “ealand Liberals were linked with the tvorld-wide organisation of Liberalism, and since the inaugural meeting of the New Zealand Liberal movement in Wellington over a year ago the movement had grown to phenomenal proportions, with branches in many of the main and smaller centres. An interim National Council had been set up, and plans were being prepared ,for a Dominion conference in the near future. The strength and strategy of the organisation would not be broadcast, but its aim s and intentions would be available for general information, Mr Cuttriss said.

There was nothing supernatural or unnatural in the revival of Liberalism in New Zealand or elsewhere, Mr Cuttriss continued. It was the natural and inevitable outcome of the widespread dissatisfaction with the existing order, combined with the deep-seated and growing belief that the Liberals, representing all and not merely a section of the people, possessed the only sure, safe and acceptable foundation for the future stability and security of the Dominion. Tlie State's invasion of human rights made obvious the fact that unless the institution of property and individual freedom was restored, none could escape the institution of slavery, Mr Cuttriss continued. The Liberals offered no apology to the Labour or National Party for its re-entry into the political arena. The movement would avoid extremes, would keep to the middle of the road, and would be the voice of the people. Mr C. H. McDonald, who was appointed interim organising secretary, said there were many thousands of Liberals within the ranks of the National Party to whom credit must be given for the appreciable advantages gained. There was also Liberalism within the ranks of the Labour Party, and it was well known that a section of Labour would use to the full every known principle of Liberalism to enhance its prospects of retaining the confidence of the electors. Liberalism was emerging in its new birth not only in New Zealand, but also throughout the British Empire. Mr McDonald said. The elections of 1949 were likely to be the most momentous in the political history of the country, and the existence of the Liberal movement would add interest and intensity. The Dominion Federation of Liberals would explore and exhauwt every avenue to reach a mutually satisfactory understanding with any and every organisation opposed to Socialism, Communism, and Toryism, in order to avoid triangular contests and ensure the election of those candidates who would put people before party and give effect to the basic principles of free, full, and fair government. A motion’ that a branch of the Dominion Federation of Liberals be formed in Oamaru was carried, and future plans and activities and the question of acquiring permanent rooms W'ere discussed.