LIBERALISM.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 15081, 2 December 1919, Page 7

LIBERALISM.

ITS ASPIRATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS. (NoTj.) THE WORKERS' SHARE. ' In the old days what happened when a "Workman was brought homo on a stretcher? What happened when he got maimed ? There was redress at Cominoii Law, slow, difficult, with much uncertainty and drawn-out litigation. Today redress is certain, immediate, substantial. and 1 cheap. The Workers' Compensation system ia not yet perfect-, out the Liberals who initiated it a generation, ago, can bo trusted to bring it up to the level of modern requirements, in accordance with the best principles of progressive democracy. It is impossible to review in full detail the long list of multifarious ficts by which the Seddon Ministry strove to carry into effect its declared policy of securing the welfare of the majority, in preference to defending and fostering the interests and privileges of the favored few. But what is most remarkable about these measures is that while they are based upon ideal conceptions that in those days seemed hopelessly visionary and Utopian, they were aft severely practical in character. «nd when, these laws were enforced ' they proved a great practical success. THIRD PHASE.— WARD. Sir Joseph Ward, on the death of his illustrious chief, stepped into the leadership of the Liberal party and carried on the Liberal^ tradition. For this woi'k tho new chief was eminently qualified. He had served through the previous phases of the Liberal campaign of advance with marked ability, and for the most, part in • positions of considerable responsibility. His success in assisting his chiefs to carry out. their election promises in regard to financial reforms had brought him in due course to the Treasury, and here he quickly distinguished himself by his antitude, his energy, his combination of "courage and prudence, and his close familiarity with detail. Sir Joseph's administration of finance had been as- successful, as his management of the great department of the Post Office. In his conduct of the latter, he had obtained, bjr his handling, of affairs postal '.'and ■ phic, a distinctly European reputation. He had to his credit another success in the administration, of- the Railway Department. To this he had. as he had to the Postal and "Telegraphic Department, piven classification and a superannuation system. AnoMiei* success of his had been the Advances to Settlers system, Tho system includes a* vast Amount of detail ; the administration involves the most conptant^ care and 1 the closest supervision 1 . But Us success is as -remarkable as the variety of its requirements. -■■• Aggregate ■of 'advances the other day 21 millions, profit £935,000! No comment is'needed—but it is indeed a/ record of -vhich any financier in tho world might be proud! A RECORD OF SUCCESS. With this history • behind him, the new was soon engrossed in his work.- and in the five years of its duration the record of it was good. To the fh?st part belong- such measures as the "Scaffolding Inspection Act," which added to. the- safety of many workers • the "Training : ; Ships Act," which opened for boys the road to the sea ; an amending measure which improved the system of Telegraph classification, for the whole Civil Service; amendments of tho laws, helping maternity and • protecting child-life; Ac*s for improving the acquisition v and settlement of land; the Act> which secured tho remainder of the Crown, lands-r-, nine million acres — as a national endowment; the development of direct, taxation — income and land— on tho graduated system,, on well-marked lines' capable of .indefinite extension when necessary. ,-... A leading place in. the list is held by the National Endowment Fund. The Act of; that name greatly .extends the area of stability for old age and dependence, and it has been sin.ee amended in many ways, all beneficial" to the. poorer classes of the people and all valuable in the troublous times that came upon us with the wai*. / NATIONAL DEBT.. Another of Sir. Joseph Ward's characteristic measures was this proposal for the final extinction in reasonable time of the National Debti At that time the stream of borrowing ran on without thought of the day of reckoning. But Sir Joseph saw the weakness of such a system; he proceeded to adjust his finances by the aid of ajfi'jnfcing Fund in such a way that any" loan 80 treated would be liquidated in 75 years at a very small cost per year to the Consolidated Fund. / In the face of bitter opposition Sir Joseph stuck to his scheme, demonstrated its actuarial soundness, tied up the sinking funds beyond the power of any hmnajL being to "cottar." He prevailed over all opposition, established his system, and that system has worked admirably ever since. HYDRaELECTRIC POWER. Another striking incident in this campaign of progress was the Hydroelectric scheme instituted b^r the Liberal Government during Sir Joseph Ward's regime. ' Sooner or* later our water power is sure to be utilised on a vaat scale for industrial and domestic purposes, for illumination and for transport. But the- people of the Dominion should not forget that here, as ill many other directions where progress points towards, prosperity, Liberalism led the way. HUMANISM 0-NO& MORE. But though busied about the country's interests, Sir Joseph Ward, did not .forget the "humanist Bide of Liberalism, which is well illustrated in .his establishment of a system" of Pensions for Widows. This recognition of the natural right of wives and mothers to .support has removed here one glaring reproach to human nature ; and the honor of making this wise and generous provision for widows stands to th« eternal credit of the Liberal Party and its leaders. (To be continued.)