NATIONAL OR ANTI-NATIONAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12941, 4 December 1909, Page 4

NATIONAL OR ANTI-NATIONAL.

Despite the Conservative leaven which has crept into the Liberal party of late years ,it is refreshing to Know that there be some members of Parliament who place the country's well-being above ,that of the mere individual. Any man of plain horse sense will be prepared to admit that, while the freehold may be an excellent thing for Smith or Brown as individuals, it would nevertheless be a disastrous thing for the country at large if every acre were parcelled out among a few thousand Smiths and Browns, while hundreds of thousands of Jones's and Robinsons were left without any land at all. Therein lies the whole reason of the fight for the leasehold. With the freehold, Smith and Brown only benefit. When the State owns the land, Jones and Robiiihon share the benefit equally with Smith and Brown. It is all a question of national benefit versus individual advantage. If the national benefit be the object aimed at, everyone shares it. If individual advantage be the rule, most people will get left. At present there are 26 members of Parliament preparing to put- up a gallant fight for the national well-being. They are opposed by over 50 members (numbering both Government and Opposition supporters — a coalition on the land question, in fact) whose chief aim is to secure the advantage of the individual as against the interest of the nation. All good Liberals wish the little party of leaseholders success in its fight against big odds.