Socialism In New Zealand

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 68, 13 December 1939, Page 13

Socialism In New Zealand

Sir, —I am" taken to task by “Wide Awake” firstly because I stated that “socialism would be brought into beingin New Zealand in our time—and soon,” when replying to the toast of the Labour Government at Greymouth. Your correspondent would like to know what right have I to make such statements. I have at no time enunciated a policy or principle that I do not believe and as my interpretation of the world socialism embodies all that makes for the good of all people, irrespective of colour, class or creed, the right to make the statement springs from my faith in the men and women in New Zealand to bring about a new era when the message of the Great Teacher of nearly 2000 years ago will in its fullness become a living fact. Then the spiritual, mental and physical in mankind will become fully awakened and the fruits of the earth will be used for the good of all. In the second part of the letter I am asked why do I not come out into the open and fight, the cause of my fellowwomen. May I say definitely here I am doing that in every possible way arid if the writer had taken the trouble to learn a little about me, “Wide Awake” would have found that. I have worked for the welfare of women and children all my life and will continue to do so, ami though I have not spoken often from the floor of the House during my first session I have endeavoured to fulfil my duties as a Member of Parliament to the men and women of Wellington West, and as far as possible to all women in the Dominion. I can assure the writer that I di'd understand the significance of “what appeared to be an inoffensive little clause regarding widows to be inserted in the Act last session,” and. I approve of the clause; to do otherwise, I would have been looking after the interests of women in particular instead of women in general.

1 confess I ;nn more concerned about the woman who is JO years or less younger than her husband, who is in receipt of age benefit, only receiving • >/-, making a total of 35/- a week, and the unmarried woman of 50 years not coming under Ihe scope of the Act; but just as anomalies have been rectified during (he last session so will time bring about the removal of any hardships still existing. As a housekeeper I know’ what rising costs mean and here I make the statement that when the people get down to the understanding of what is the real cause of war and the resultant booms and slumps, this grievance and the strain of making ends meet will disappear.—l am etc., CATIIERT NE STEW A RT. Wellington, December 9.