POINTS FROM OTHER LETTERS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25023, 4 November 1946, Page 2

POINTS FROM OTHER LETTERS

“For Clean, Honest Politics” writes: “How many of the present-day National Party candidates were in Parliament the last time their party was in powerT Some of the Labour Party members never tire of reminding us about the mistakes that were made at that time—was it 16 years ago?”

“Upward and Onward,” who thinks that the politicians of the Coalition, had they been “men of vision and good intent,” could have seen to it that all were adequately fed and clothed in spite of a world depression, declares, himself for the Labour Party, which has “helped to heal our weary, tramping feet and given us a lilt to the chin.”

“Bad roads, long hours, hard work, little pay, we in the back country had,” says “Ex-Tory,” till Labour reached power. “No hospitals, etc., but taxation—yes!”

“George Manning seems to be doubtful whether nationalisation, as advanced by the Labour Party, is socialist, and quite justifiably so,” says “Socialism.” “Nationalisation is pot socialism, as it still leaves the capitalist investor fundamentally in control of industries and production. Socialism implies specifically supplanting capitalist ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange by the common ownershin of the whole of the people, not mere control of the present economic structure.”

‘Crazy” writes: “All over New Zealand thousands of people cannot get a home, largely because (so we are told) of the shortage of cement. Last week we read that a big tyre factory was that day pouring the concrete for Its massive floors. Soon we will hear that the Anglq-Iranian Oil Co. will be pouring thousands of tons of cement into its huge storage tanks, when we already have ample storage tanks in New Zealand Perhaps the electors will tell the Government what it thinks of their big schemes when thousands cannot get a cover over their head.”

De Facto” says that “Christian” and “Misunderstood” show that they still do not know the true meaning of socialism. They make the same mistake as do many others, that it is something to do with Russia. Germany, or Communism, and this is quite wrong. ... The strong should help the weak, and until politicians learn that lesson they should stay at home.” J

“Libertas ” replying to “De Facto,” says that the definition of socialism, 3? ’'hich the New Zealand Labour Party ig committed. Is the natlonalisa.F 11 the , mean s of production. r „ ution - and exchange and that .f”; is “mistaken In thinking that Christ ever expressed approval of [this policy. He does not approve of poi'cy Of the National Party, Libertas adds, but ‘‘accepts it, for beins ’ as lesser of two