LABOUR’S NEW CULTURE.

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 27

LABOUR’S NEW CULTURE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In reply to “ Old Timer,” I . jhsuJd, like ..to. point, n Anti Jingo ” said Labour’s new culture was based on love of God and-of mankind, aiid that it would produce plenty, prosperity, and equality. Therefore 1 ask ,j ; hpw or when did love of my neighbour , demand that he bo-no more than my equal, economically or otherwise? Other correspondents have said that Labour’s new culture was based on principles which, When they ; have been stated, are easily recognised, as those of Marx’s historical materialism —for example, the last letter of Mr J. N. Brown and the contribution made by " Ordinary Worker.” I suggest that “ Old Timer ” read these letters again, ■ and if necessary also some of Marx. If then be fails to appreciate the identity of accepted basic principles in all three I should bo happy to demonstrate it to him.-

Wherein- did X imply that the average worker could not understand the Scriptures? My asking Labour for an explanation of its culture, and my asking anyone who replied that it was based on the Bible, to explain in what way this was so, surely implies, if it implies anything, that I , expect any of iny correspondents to be able to understand their own culture and its relation to Bible teaching. Would they otherwise dare to preach the gospel of their new culture? “ Old Timer ” believes that much may be done to make people “tread the straight and narrow path or accept the alternative meted out to evildoers by Act of Parliament.” Is it by this means that Labour’s new culture deals with the selfishness of men, which “ Old Timer ” says is the cause of our social evils? Is this view basic in Labour’s new culture? Is its practice the exercise; of the. principle of-Christian love? These are not rhetorical questions conveying implications, but are a genuine request for information. I was taught as a boy not to accept any man’s estimate of his own piety, virtue, or worth until I had discovered if he was consistent with himself in thought and in conduct. Above all I was taught to distrust a man who appealed to dogmatic religious belief in ordinary business or in politics. I have found that advice good_ many a time. Therefore I am not convinced that Labour’s new culture is based on Christian love, and will not be so until I learn from those who profess to be actuated by this love how they regard it as working. If Labour is satisfied with virtue induced by compulsion and threat of punishment, t fail to understand how its new culture can claim to be based on love. If Labour’s new culture attaches importance to having respect for its political opponents, I should believe it might come to understand them, and

that in so far as it respected them it was based on Jove. 1 therefore ask, docs Labour’s new culture respect the personality of its opponents? if it does not do so, how can it ever come io understand them? Would “ Oid Timer” please inform niei J —l am. ole.. Sen ex. . 3 uly 21.