LIBERALISM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19807, 26 November 1919, Page 6

LIBERALISM.

ITS ASPIRATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS.

(No. 3.)

SECOND PHASE.—SEBDON,

Mr Ballanco died just as be bad got good bold of the great work offered him. Mr Seddon. succeeded him, and carried the work on for thirteen years. They were years of tremendous industry 'and persistent energy. Though the Prime Minister, who threw himself into tho work with characteristic zeal, was a, man. of exceptionally robust constitution, tlio demands of tho work upon him ultimately shortened his liio. Among the great Liberal measures of this period a foremost place belongs to OLD AGE PENSIONSOf course, the Conservatives of those days—lineal ancestors of the Masscyites—(for did nob Mr Massey himself at first oppose the Old Ago Pensions Bill?)—denounced tho whole project. It would sap independence and undermine self-respect: it was an insulting offer of charity; it was a pauper’s dole; it was an unprincipled bribe; and of course it must mean in the long run ruin to the groaning taxpayer. But the Liberal Government stood by its Bill, and at long last the Government won. And to-day there is not a creature in tho Dominion that docs not, after live and twenty years applaud the measure, many times amended and improved. “ Government, by the people, lor tho people,” has been completely instilled.

THE GREAT BANK CRISIS. In 1894 the country was within easy distance of a great financial disaster. The Bank of New Zealand was in distress. It was officially announced that the groat institution was about to founder. It was plain, that thousands would go down in tho wreck. It was probable that the disaster would involve tho nation. Tho Liberal Government met the crisis with rare courage and wise promptitude. Witn the permission of Parliament, asked and accorded at a moment’s notice, it propped the imperilled institution with the credit of the iStato. The Bank, restored to financial stability, resumed its career with a success which to-day—a quarter of a century after that dreadful night of 1894—is applauded in every country.

Once more did “ government for the people by the people ” justify itself by the financial ability, the courage and the political wisdom that tho liberal statesmen displayed at this terrible ’ crisis in the country’s fortunes. SETTLEMENT AND LAND. The Liberal Government having arranged for the settlement, of the lauds, I turhed its attention to helping settlement to make good. During tho thir-tccn-ycar period of Mr Scddou’s Ministry it produced a largo crop of measures, all devised for tho substantial encouragement of tho great producing interests. Under these Acts many millions of public money have been spent, and no one now' doubts the wisdom of the expenditure which more- j over has involved no bonus of any kind- ] Here is another proof, not only of tire j statesmanship of democratic Liberal- I ism bub of its capacity in practical! affairs. And it must never bo forgot- j ten that these experiments were all I new’ departures in which Liberal Democracy took the initiative in spite of intense and hitter opposition, and made its way triumphantly to its goal. First and foremost among the many benefits provided by Liberalism for the farmers and workers engaged in our primary industries was the establishment of the Department of Agriculture,. The moat industry, the wool industry, the dairy industry, the orchard industry, the poultry* industry, the hee-kcepiug industry—ail these feel tho benefit of the guidance and assistance that they receive from the department in every phase of their activities and at every step of their* productive life. . Here, again, “government hv the people for tho people” has justified itself, thanks to the wise forethought and practical energy of Liberalism.

AIOTHER AND CHILD,

Another series of democratic measures devised and carried into effect by Mr Seddon and his colleagues may he termed the Maternity group. It is to the abiding honour of the great leaders of Liberalism in this country that thov pointed the way for the rest of the world towards some effective provision for the comfort and safety and health of toiling and suffering mothers and stunted and weakly boys and girls. Once it had realised this’ duty the Liberal Government twenty-five years ago set its hand to the good work: and our Statute Book contains manv a measure that ns proof of the philanthropic sympathy of Liberalism for suffering humanity will stand the test of time. Maternity hospitals, welltrained midwives, Plnnket nurses—all with a fmo record of well-directed and successful work—these wore among the achievements of Liberalism in its palmy days.

INDUSTRIAL STRIFE ALLAYED. Now let us turn to another phase of constructive statesmanship as interpreted by Liberalism—its attempt to redress industrial grievances., and as far as possible to remove the opportunities for industrial strife. The Arbitration and Conciliation system was first set up under peculiarly difficult circumstances. A vast Labour upheaval had brought all New Zealand to a standstill before the general election which returned the Liberals to power. That upheaval had emphasised tho futility of the various methods of dealing with industrial troubles. Tile Liberal Government lost no time in devising its remedy for this appalling and hopeless situation. "When it came to Parliament for the application of its remedy, however, it was met by a storm of opposition from every quarter- But in the end it triumphed, and the now system speedily justified tho faith of its founders- " It is folly to say that the Arbitration Act Ims failed because it did not entirely prevent or euro industrial unrest. But it eradicated sweating, It gave the mass, of tho people shorter hours and higher wages and bettor conditions of work : ami it promoted the general welfare by making for industrial peace.

THE SEAMEN’S SHARE. Not, content with its guardian care of workers in tile factories and tho fields, Liberalism soon turned its attention \o the duty of mitigating the hardships that befall “ those who go down to the sea in ships.’’ Tho Act was not perfect.; hut, the sailor to-day under Now Zealand regulations is infinitely better off than lie was before Liberalism began its labours, and he has his political franchise secure. All this ho owes to democratic Liberalism. (To ho continued.) 1