Untitled

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1067, 29 March 1882, Page 2

It has been fashionable in some quarters to designate Mr Weston, M.H R., as a Conservative, and Mr Saunders in a recent election at Ashburton, in classifying members so designated him. In reply to this, he addressed the following letter to the editor of the Lyttelton Times, and it appeared in that journal on the 1 7th instant. It is as follows : —

"Sir, — Mr Saunders, in his speech .it Ashburton, is reported to have classed me amongst the "Conservatives" of New Zealand. According to his idea there are several degrees or shades of Conservatism ; he places me, however, in a moderatelylow latitude. Both in and out of the House I have always advocated, amongst other things, secular and free education of the best kind, and the establishing of numerous Government scholarships to enable all classes to compete side by side for wealth, position, place and power ; a reduction in the duties imposed upon the necessaries of life ; less voting power for property ; the opening up of our Colony by railways, roads and tracks ; the encouragement of local industries ; the economical administration of public affairs, and a more certain method for redressing public grievances; the simplifying of our precedure in the Supreme Court to bring strict, cheap and substantial justice within the reach of the poorest person ; the revision of our Statute laws ; the development of our vast mineral resources ; cheap railway traffic ; the formation of lines of railway by grants of land under the Railways Construction and Land Act of last session ; the laying out of small holdings throughout the Colony and the abolition of the law of entail ; relief being accorded to the over-taxed miner, and more protection for women and children. I did not advocate, as many Liberals did, the Licensing the Corrupt Practices, the Gaming and Lotteries, and the representation Bills. I regarded the three first mentioned as being far too stringent in character, and the last as bestowing undue power upon the Middle Island. The meaning of the term "Conservatism" in relation to New Zealand politics, I do not understand. I do claim, however, to hold "Liberal" views. It seems to me that in New Zealand politics, righteous mad judkiou:.- ;uli;iimEt;ation i.,

the first point for consideration. Our land laws should be administered ; our revenue and loans must be expended to ensure the greatest good to the greatest number ; and ao long as I have the honour of occupying a seat in the House of Representatives I hops I shall continue to disregard so-called "Conservatism" anil "Liberalism," and vote to put into and kcop.in power those who will reflect tlio greatest credit upon our Colony and Nation, i Apologising for thus troubling you.— l itm, &c.,— Thomas S. Wbstox. High street, March 16."

If these principles can be construed into Conservatism we should much like to know what Liberalism means. If any one holding them is anything but the broadest Liberal, then there is no meaning in the term. It is unnecessary to add a single word, the letter speaks for itself.