" LIBERALS UNDAUNTED
Six,—There are two points which require an answer in Mr. Neil Mac- Pherson's letter in your issue of April 26th. Firstly, vested interests. The application of Liberal principles demands an independence of thought, outlook and judgement, which would be seriously prejudiced if the finances of the Party depended upon contributions from big business interests, trade unions or any other type of vested interest. The ten- dency for any Member of Parliament to become the delegate of a sectional interest must surely be resisted by Liberally-minded people. Fortunately, the independence of the Liberal Party is now, I think, assured, in that we have, by the introduction of our Foundation Day Appeal, and in particular by the adoption of the threepence-a-week scheme, placed the Party on a sound democratic basis financially.
The threepence-a-week scheme merits the attention of the serious student of politics. It is simple. The money is collected through the newsagent. It provides a method of obtaining from individuals with a minimum of expenditure of energy and organisation a substantial total amount in small contributions. It is the answer to the political levy, and the large donations from vested interests upon which other Parties rely. It places the funds of a political party upon a basis which is essentially democratic.
As to the fusion of the Liberal Nationals and the Liberals, our posi- tion is quite clear. There are in all Parties, and outside Parties, to-day many men and women who are genuinely Liberal at heart, but through the failure of the Liberal Party in the past few years to provide them with an effective political =tedium they have lost faith temporarily in the prospects of a Liberal Party and have been attracted elsewhere. The future of this country demands a strong Party consisting of all those who are genuinely Liberal at heart, and we would welcome into the Liberal Party any individual, provided he is a Liberal and is prepared to accept the principles of Liberalism in which we believe. As far as Mr. Neil MacPherson is concerned, he would be assured of a hearty wel- come home by the other members of the Liberal Parliamentary Party.—
Previous page
