THE FEAR OF SOCIALISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13870, 2 October 1908, Page 8

THE FEAR OF SOCIALISM.

Sir, —In your issue of the 21st Mr. Ewington very unfairly tries to make it appear that I supported certain phases of socialism that are nowhere to bo iound in my letter 'in your issue of tho 10th, to which lie now nitempts to reply. But ho alters, and twists my questions in such a way'as to completely change thoir meaning, and then ho assumes that he has answered them, when lie has really only answered his own alteration of them. I am still as much opposed to the single tax as I was in 1893 and before, and am still as strong an advocate of the limitation of individual wealth from any source as 1 was when I published my pamphlet, chiefly to advocate this as the best, fairest, and quickest way of equalising the lots and opportunities of life by means of a highly progressive income tax, together with a universal minimum wage, etc. Mr. Ewington says I ask if lio does not consider (.hat socialistic internationalism is (lie essence of true Christianity? 1 did not ask him anything of the kind. My- question was distinctly with reference to that phase of international socialism which aims at securing permanent peace between the nations of the world, and I asked him if this was not the essence of true Christianity and most ardently to be desired. To this question (adroitly altered by Mr. Ewington) his reply is, "No." My own question still remains unanswered. But 1 think your readers will easily see through such trickery, which is characteristic of the whole letter. ■ I oiily supported certain phases of socialism which I felt, to be good and desirable, but which Mr. Ewington in his article tried to alarm us about. But that does not give him tho right to fasten oil to mo tho whole of what either he or some socialists include as part of their creed. Mr. Ewington lias also altered my. question as to the desirability of an international brotherhood in such a way as to enable him to say that it is wrong. What! Wrong for the poor and humane of the world to com-" bine as a brotherhood to resist exploitation by tho unmerciful, greedy rich? This was my question Mr. Ewington is responsible for his own reply. My distinct question as to tho duty of professing Christian soldiers to shoot down professing _ Christian soldiers of another nationality is also completely shuffled by him. "To shoot or not to shoot" was the question he has left unanswered. Man gore. .T.E.Taylor.