Socialism and initiative

Press, 8 March 1978, Page 16

Socialism and initiative

Sir, — Mr Wes Cameron of the Trades Hall thinks that what New Zealand needs is socialism. He forgets, or does not know, that socialism has three fatal flaws. It inhibits initiative; it stifles freedom; it kills competition. These three things have been, and still are, the mainspring of human progress. This statement from Mr Cameron is typical of the superficial thinking among trade union leaders. They are the working man’s worst enemy. The policy adopted by the trade unions 50 years ago, and still followed, has had the effect of stifling competition and initiative in many areas and has killed it in some. Of course, production has suffered. The trade union leaders should be encouraging competition and initiative and they should then follow a policy that ensures a fair distribution of the increased wealth. At last we have a Prime Minister who is a realist, who knows what is right and has the courage to do it,. and be damned. — Yours, etc., G. V. THOMAS. March 6, 1978.