THE LIBERAL PARTY AND SOCIALISM.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOLL.”
SIR,—We are indebted to Mr. Arthur Ponsonby, M.P., for clearing the air. I assume he receives the Government whips, and is a recognised member of the Liberal Party. He informs US in your last issue that had Mr. Smith, the first official candidate of the Socialist Fabian Society, been elected for Taunton, " they would have found themselves together in the same division lobby ninety-nine times out of a hundred," and that "the difference between them is one of pace, not of direction." If only other politicians would be equally frank, the term "Liberal," which derives its name from the enfranchising policy that was pursued, for instance, in the 1868-1874 Parliament, would cease to be debased from its meaning; and the public would begin to realise that the strife of politics to-day is between those who seek to restriet liberty in the distribution of wealth and of labour, and those who seek to restrict liberty of exchange
between buyers and sellers. When that is realised, the inhabitants of the "Isle of Freedom" will perhaps again assert their determination that State power is to be used in the defence of liberty, and not in the interest of the clients of the persons in whose keeping it happens to be entrusted for the time being.—I am, Sir, &c., .3 Arundel Terrace, Brighton. S. HuTeueNsox Halms,
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