Socialism at the Gate

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 196, 16 May 1936, Page 13

Socialism at the Gate

Sir.--Mr. R. K. McDowell cannot have read onr letter before replying. We did not say (liar. “Socialism was a system too complicated to bo put to practical use.” hut that. “Socialism is the most complicated question that has ever been disL-usvvd, because there are no less than 260 definitions by Socialist writers.” Therefore we said it could not be defined in one sentence as a previous correspondent alleged. Your correspondent, like his predecessor, refers presumably to Russia as an example of Socialism. The Socialist experiment there came down over the same hurdle that every other Socialist experiment lias failed to negotiate, nameIv the abolition of all form of competition and incentive to produce. This has resulted in slackness, apathy and destitution. Extra reward is so necessary to encourage human effort that pliyment by results had to bo introduced in Russia to encourage output. Thus we see that the system in Russia is not. Socialism as visualised by most Socialist writers: it. has reverted . to many so-called “iniquities” of capitalism. Of course we “know well” and have often pointed out that Socialism has been tried many times in the last 20(H). years and has always failed because it ignores human nature.—We are, etc.. N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE. Wellington, May 12. <4j r .—Air. F. .1. Ryder notes that the League ‘‘makes a special point of individual enterprise.” He. forgets that .the letter to which he replies merely outlined briefly the views of Socialist writers on

Socialism; .therefore if any special point was made about individual enterprise in that letter it was because its. abolition. is one of the main aims of Socialism, if its voluminous literature means anything at all. 'The individual tinder Socialism becomes ti mere automaton under orders from the group at the head of the State. Answers to his questions would not settle tho point as to what is Socialism, but whether that policy was a good one or not —which opens quite another matter. The last question, however, may be mentioned: “When man and woman came to the earth, io whom did the land, the air, the rivers, the sea and minerals belong?” The league lias no knowledge of who .or what possessed any of these things prior to the advent of the human race. But it history records anything it shows that when men first arrived they took what they wanted and stuck to it against all opposition. By nature, the healthy man is, and always lias been, competitive, creative, eombalivo and acquisitive, and possesses a love of freedom and family. These are fundamental instincts since the date of the arrival of Mr. Ryder’s first, man and woman, and will be with us till the world ends. You can modify.and regulate these natural instincts, but it is in attempting io eradicate them that Socialist experiments have failed and always will fail.—We are. etc.. : N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE. '

I:Oiber letters mt page 8.)