SOCIALISM AND THE STATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14047, 29 April 1909, Page 3

SOCIALISM AND THE STATE.

Sir,—Should tho State bo no better than, a gigantic company in managing the affairs of the country, as is alleged by a recent writer, and if socialism means collectivism pure and simple, then I opine socialism will prove, a, dismal failure. It will contain all the base principles and methods of a, com-* pany without any over-ruling power to control its immoralities. The State will still be a collection of human beings having tho defects common to human nature, and being exclusively occupied in the production and distribution of wealth, will be exposed to tho same dangers of exercising tyranny and oppression. It may ever so loudly profess to have only philantroohic and brotherly intentions, but the strife in the long run will bo one for personal advantage. Individualism can never bo destroyed, or its responsibilities shifted on to the shoulders of" either a company or a Government. No; tho panacea, for the inequalities in the ditribution of wealth is not to bo remedied by tho socialists' Utopian pooling scheme, but. by the conservation of that which belongs to the community for the use of the community. And this can be effectively accomplished'by the taxation of tho land values which have been made by the people, and which in all fairness belong to them, and ought to bo used for their benefit. Had tho wis© councils of our great pro-consul, the late Sir Gcorgo Grey, been acted up to many years ago, and the unearned increments secured for the people, this glorious New Zealand of ours would in very truth be God's Own Country, and a Dreadnought less or more of little consequence to it 3 people. And still it may not be too late. Auckland, April 21. ' A. T. Ross.