RADICAL POLICY WANTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 124, 28 May 1935, Page 10

RADICAL POLICY WANTED.

POINTS FROM LETTERS.

I take my hat off to "Accountant," whose sensible and logical letter appeared in Wednesday's "Star." lam carefully preserving it as a document of unusually wise statements and contentions, so calmly, clearly and coolly presented as to leave no sting, while frankly inviting John Citizen to cease tinkering with superficialism and pseudoSocialism, and get down to fundamentals. The bug-bear of the LabourSocialist is the fear of unemployment — he wants work and wages for all provided by the State. In his fervour he mislays the facts. He cannot connect the working producer with the only provider of means, per taxation, to operate his plan; and now, as power looms up suddenly right at hand he finds his only policy-plank, a miscalculated blow at "Capitalism," is really a further burden for his own "class." In this connection I am speaking only of the sincere Socialist. The political jobber, pure and simple runs any philosophy which will get him votes and enough influence to secure a little work with a lot of power and pay. Many estimable citizens I know would support the Georgian plan of public land-rent collection, no taxes, and public services free, if they could be assured the "hardship" cases' could be dealt with during initial reconstruction. My assurance to them is that every just claim would bo considered on it* intrinsic merits. compensation for land-speculators, of course, being out of the question. Economic freedom for all can be quite fullv and faithfully embodied in access to land for nil, and with that freedom would certainly come the banishment of enforced unemployment. The rest should bo civilisation made easy, not as at present, a perpetual nightmare of apprehension and insecurity. I hope to see "Accountant's" ideas fully propounded throughout New Zealand this election year. J. KAY.