Liberal's Views on liberty

May I thank those who replied to my letter of July 2 about the theory of subsidiary function? As yet, I have not found a simple English phrase which conveys the idea. However, no one seems to mind the word "subsidiarity." Except me. It was really heartening to get so many personal letters. As I travel round the country, I will try to call on some of those who wrote.
The letter from the Distributist at Laxton was specially welcome to an old Distributist. I agree with nearly all of what he writes, p.nd intend to relate' Papal teaching to Liberal policies such as co-ownership. Those who wrote about David Steel's election are naturally worried about the effect of having the author of the 1967 Act as party leader. There is no party policy as defined at an annual assembly, and a great many of us (by no means all Catholics) are bitterly opposed to the Act.
What we should fight for is a society which will show loving care to all children and their mothers. Abortion gets rid of the problem of uns.vanted children by murdering them: a liberal society should make every child wanted and loved. May I urge Mr Walsh (July 23) and those who feel like him, to give full support to those who, like myself, are fighting within the party against inhuman policies. When the delegates to last year's assembly elected me as their next President, they knew my views.
So the election of David Steel as leader is no more an endorsement of his views on abortion than my election was a rejection of the 1967 Act. I am sure that the vast majority of active Liberals would agree thet this subject should not be a matter of party politics. The Liberal Party has much to offer Christians. It is equally opposed to private and State monopoly, and its driving force is a burning. belief in the innate dignity of each human being. Liberty, to the
Liberal, is not the greatest good of the greatest number (which can and had led to tyranny) but rather the setting free of all men "the purchase to pursue, God traced for
each". •
I am looking forward to working closely with David Steel. He is an excellent man apart from his blind spot, and it is comforting to have as leader one who comes from so distinguished a Christian background. Basil Goldstone President Elect, Liberal Party. 16 Valingers Road,
Kings Lynn, Norfolk.