CHRISTIANITY AND SOCIALISM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22887, 16 November 1937, Page 12

CHRISTIANITY AND SOCIALISM

Sir, —Your correspondents Messrs. G. Henry and A. Warburton stress the difference between the "freedom" of Christianity and the "compulsion" of socialism as practised in New Zealand. Apparently they consider that it should be purely optional whether or not a so-called Christian country should incorporate the principles of Christianity in its economic system. Christianity preaches that every individual is of equal value in the sight of God. Socialism is striving for the practical application of that noble aspiration to our social system —nothing more, nothing less —and unless that idea is accepted then our so-called Christianity is sheer humbug and hypocrisy. And where is this "socialistic violence" that Mr. Henry talks about as operating in New Zealand? J-very law that this Government has put on the Statute Book has been a step toward the fulfilment of a definite policy clearly put before the electors and endorsed by them. And to prove its good faith the Government has restored the triennial elections, so that electors will have an opportunity next year to express their approval or disapproval of its legislation. Could anything be lairer or more democratic? What more does Mr. Henry want? As a single taxer, of course, he would like to see taxation confined to land values, and "the common ownership of land restored to the people." And Mr. McHaigh and other correspondents condemn Socialism because it is "opposed to the private ownership of land." It is obviously impossible to satisfy all these critics. It. C. Simaions,