SOCIALIST PROPOSALS.

Evening Star, Issue 21619, 15 January 1934, Page 9

SOCIALIST PROPOSALS.

TO THB EDITOR.

Sir, —For misrepresentation and the continuous issue of statements that are definitely false that body of business men who have the audacity to call themselves “ The New Zealand Welfare League ” are undoubtedly the champions. For instance, they state in a fetter published'by you on the 13th inst. that Sir Stafford Cripps, Mr G. D. H. Cole, and other leaders have definitely stated that it is futile to expect to establish Socialism, by democratic means. I desire to, submit that Sir Stafford does not advocate such views, nor any Labour leaders in Britain. What Sir Stafford Cripps and others do say is that it is futile to expect to establish Socialism under the present political system, which is definitely non-demo-cratic. The Welfare League knows there is in existence in Britain such an institution as the House of Lords, winch is comprised of hereditary peers, irrespective of their mentality, plus a few representatives of the English Church, and the league is well aware of the fact that should a Socialist Government be returned by the majority of the people with a mandate to establish Socialism the conservative House of Lords will use its power to thwart the will of the people. Furthermore, a Socialist Government will also meet stern opposition from those who at the moment control the financial and industrial machine, and, being the 'Government, they Will be quite justified in using all the power and force which has been invested, by the majority of the people, in the said Government to dispossess those despots and proceed to put industry on a new basis—viz., production for use, not for profit, or for dumping in the ocean, as is done to-day. The league soys “ they consider force necessary . hy their constant reference to a general strike.” If the league studies further it will observe that'the general strike is not to be used as a weapon to establish. Socialism. I am glad to observe the league favours the advocacy of the change to Socialism, but disagree that under the existing political machinery it can be achieved. Mr Lang, when Premier of New South Wales, was unable to get Government measures through the Upper House, as ■it was composed in the main of anti-Labour-ites At the moment the present Governments, both in Britain and New Zealand, are using force in reducing the standard of life for the workers. Here in New Zealand men are forced through starvation to work on miserable rates of pay ; some are forced from home and family to live under conditions that are outrageous; and so the present economic system is continued and maintained with the use of that mighty weapon force. I have yet to read of any protests about the miserable economic conditions under which the average relief worker, and in many cases industrial worker, is living being issued by the so-called New Zealand Welfare League. I respectfully submit that they ought to name themselves the New Zealand Employers’ Welfare League; then perhaps their attitude to Socialism and also their silence in regard to the existing economic, conditions of the workers would be justified. I am opposed to the revolutionary weapon, but agree with the sentiments of the league when it says: “ The right of revolution is sacred when it is'not possiblefor the majority to get its way.otherwise. I wonder if Sir-Stafford Cripps would go as far as that. —I am, etc., Socialist. Abbotsford, J anuary 13.