"THE RIGHT TO LIVE"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22211, 11 September 1935, Page 17

"THE RIGHT TO LIVE"

Sir,—The Hon. A. D. McLeod is distressed over the problem of the unemployable. Many unemployed have said to me, that we, " the unemployed, have the right to work and the right to live." Yet very few persons attempt to examine what meaning, if any, these phrases have. I have a right to live, that is, no one has the right to shoot, or poison, or stab me, or put a violent end to my life. In fact, the very circumstance that I am sustaining life with what I have or have earned constitutes my right to live. Leaving out of consideration such cases as the right of children to be supported by their parents, or disabled soldiers pensioned by the Government, and similar examples, " the right to live," seems to mean nothing more than the right to the protection of one's own life. If I am unable for any reason to make a living, what becomes of my so-called right to live? Obviously, I must perish if some one else does not give me food, clothing and shelter. Now, on what grounds of reason can I claim this from another? If I have a "right to live," my right is a mere meaningless word unless I obtain the wherewithal to live, and if I have it not, and cannot support myself, to say that another is obliged to furnish the wherewithal for me is equivalent to saying that I have a right that some one else support me. A conclusion so monstrous and dangerous cannot be entertained for a moment. Sentimental people may think such an argument is heartless and cruel. Far be it for,me to assert that we must remorselessly allow all to perish who are unable to maintain themselves, but we must remember that the resources of New Zealand are strictly limited, there is no endless cornucopia from which to distribute to all in boundless profusion, and those who do not produce for themselves have no moral right to claim support from those who do. G. Campbell.