ULTIMATE SOCIALISM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 1 December 1945, Page 3

ULTIMATE SOCIALISM

(To the Editor) Sir, —The Labour Party has adopted a resolution that it will fight the next election on a policy of “ultimate socialism.” There is only one interpretation of this phrase and that is complete control by the State of all the means by which the people live and have their being. So far we have had socialism by easy stages; a slow and sinister progression of repressive acts against various sections of the community: an insidious campaign by which one group after another is beaten to its knees in an effort to compel submission to the socialistic idea. The people have looked on sometimes apathetically, sometimes helplessly and sometimes disinterestedly while their fellows have suffered the axe. Ultimate socialism, however, means socialism for all, not ultimately, but quickly, completely and irretrievably. The implications of this crazy concept should be fully realised before next polling day by everybody entitled to cast a vote. For instance, when Mr Langstone avers that all housing should be publicly owned and privately occupied does he mean that we shall no longer be allowed to own our own homes; that we shall be required to become tenants of the State in the homes we have always . regarded as our castles? Certainly he does, nothing less. The Bank of New Zealand Bill will give the Government such power over industry and production as was never enjoyed by the private banks in all their history of reputed wickedness and the goal is not monetary reform but the implementation of complete socialism. Pathetically enough, it seems beyond the capacity of the average wage earner to reason that you cannot have socialisation of industry without also socialising the worker. When the State is the boss it will stand no nonsense. Are we New Zealanders so lacking in intellect that we must accept without reserve the theories of men appointed to Parliament whose legislative ability springs from the bitterness and frustration of their own private lives? That their lack of success should so distort their outlook that they would inflict complete socialisism on the whole community? Are we so lacking in discernment that we cannot see that complete socialism is the negation of our virile New Zealand way of life? The fanaticism of our politicians is indeed getting beyond a joke and it’s time we converted our good natured tolerance of irresponsibles into disciplinary action.—l am, etc., NEW ZEALENDER. Nelson, 28th November.

SCHOOL OF MUSIC JUVENILE RECITAL An opportunity to hear Nelson’s youngest performers will be afforded the public on Thursday next at the School of Music on the occasion of a juvenile recital. This is to oe presented between 7 and 8 p.m. Practically all these youthful performers vili be making their first public appearance and the public is requested to attend and encourage the young artists. Admission is free.