“IN A STATE OF PANIC”

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22167, 10 August 1937, Page 16

“IN A STATE OF PANIC”

TO THE EDITOR OT THE PRESS. Sir, —Your correspondent, Mr J. Hill, states in his letter that there are no Communists in the National Party. His statement is correct, but he displays lack of knowledge of the meaning of Communism by such a statement. Communism and Socialism are one and the same, and every educated person is aware of this fact. Our Socialist Government is a Communistic Government; there is no difference between the terms. The gospel “Production for use” (which embodies all things in the Government’s policy) long preached by the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, and his supporters, is an idea taken from the teachings of Karl Marx, the founder of Communism. State ownership of all things as advocated in the policy of our Socialist Government is merely communal ownership—hence Communism —“community of ownership of the production, distribution, and exchange of the country’s goods.” The Primary Products Marketing Bill, the Reserve Bank Bill, and the Industrial and Efficiency Bill and the many other ends of the huge wedge that has been driven by our Socialist Government are purely and simply acts of Communism. So your correspondent can now see why there are no Communists in the National Party. May I point out, too, that many quondam supporters of Socialist labour have joined the National Party. They have been wise enough to realise that this lavish non-productive expenditure has its limitations. Your correspondent need not worry over the Hon. Adam Hamilton or Mr S. G, Holland, M.P. They are gentlemen of education and culture, and that alone makes their way easy. Mr Hill can rest assured that the National Party is solidly organised, throughout the Dominion, and the policy statement will be made at the opportune time. It will not be, certainly, a policy embodying community of ownership as we are at present heading for. —Yours, etc., NATIONALIST. August 9, 1937.