THE BONE OF CONTENTION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 108, 3 November 1923, Page 13

THE BONE OF CONTENTION

.TO THB EDITOR.

Sir,—ln the historical dispute between Labour and Capital,,the. point cannot bo too strongly stressed of the necessity. t:> proceed warily,..so asi not to exaggerate unduly those differences which are not vital as distinguished from those which, are. For this reason it is-veil for both sides not to overlook. the .fact that it is logically impossible to argue against all the facts all the time. . Perhaps I did not make the fact' clear enough in my letter in last Saturday's issue that in one passage jn particular Dr. Murray Butler overstated bis case materially I (perhaps unconsciously). He said ■ " Socialism rests' on a series of fallacies historical and phychological and economic." If, then, we adhere to rigid intellectual discussion, is it a reasonable assumption that there, is no solid foundation for the Labour position upon which 'Socialism rests, and: the-Labour movement draws support-for itself? "The socialisation of -file ■ instruments of production " is a, practical enough basis, and as.definite as "private enterprise" is the slogan of the Capitalist State. The private ownership of Capital, it is true, is a difficulty in the Socialist position' but it cannot be called altogether a fallacy. . In, tho.same way, the public ownership of Capital cannot be called altogether a fallacy. With this reservation granted, Dr. Butler's contention that the ' Socialist support is largely on senti,' mental grounds might'be granted. My kimwledge of. the- .Socialist "argument-! leads me to assume that this positionwould b e substantially accepted, for the material difficulties need not enter into the dispute until the theoretical differences have been settled. I ; now suggest .to our opponents to cut.out - the term " fallacies " and substitute the term ',' difficulties," when all becomes plain sailing. We.can then keep the dispute, as above stated, to intellectual issues and on intellectual ground.?; otherwise, as the doctor admits, the discusBion^is apt to turn to perisonalities and harsh, words, which leads nowhere If both sides keep to this common-sense attitude, nothing can be lost, because to meet on level ground courtesy rather than confusion must prevail. And if a radical, concrete settlement of our differences is not possible immediately, at ally rate the ground is prepared by the outlook^ in the words of the popular toast—" We looks' towards you— luck. —I-am, etc., ° ,' „r , T.A.E. 3rd November.