THE GROWTH OF SOCIALISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18389, 3 May 1923, Page 4

THE GROWTH OF SOCIALISM.

Sir,l wrote on the above not as'a controversialist, but as reporting and interpreting the mind, and attitude of others whom I frequently . meet. Your corres- ■ pondent "Live and Let Live," sidetracks on to the price of butter and the hardships of producers. It is just such a display of economic ignorance and lack of logic as is manifested by your correspondent that helps ,on " The Growth of Socialism." He denies that there is "a butter ring." Either he must bi one of "the interested," and so wishes to blind the public, or he is very ignorant and a great simpleton. The nearest grocer can enlighten him on "the buttering," and its operations. According to ' ■ him butter should be sold at a higher rate in New Zealand than when freighted . 13,000 miles, because wages are higher m this country. Of course ha must also think that goods manufactured at Home should bo sold.at a low rate there and • in New Zealand at a high rate, so the .1 New Zealand dweller is to be caught both ways. Do you observe, sir, that the trades unions now rarely make protests against high prices. "Why the changed tactics? Just because they find that - high prices and trade rings are doing for * the cause of Socialism what direct propaganda could never accomplish. "Live and Let Live" fails to ■ remember that most of the voters in this country aro neither in. trade unions nor are they connected with trade rings, and .-they ara • without remedy, and your correspondent denies his nom de plume. Such writers and the trade rings are • fast converting the great silent mass of voters to givt Socialism a trial. Some people will probably wake up and realise too late what they have don© to prevent a new order of things being forced j upon them— order which they detest- but will have been instrumental in bringing about. : , ■ J.A.L. ; v