CHRISTIANITY AND SOCIALISM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22922, 28 December 1937, Page 13

CHRISTIANITY AND SOCIALISM

Sir, —Mr. R. C. Simmons makes the most extraordinary statement I have over heard or read, when he says that the forcible transference of wealth from one section of the community to another is congruent to Christian ethics. This makes banditry, piracy, racketeering, burglary, etc., highly moral activities. What he says about taxation is irrelevant because the money thus raised is used for general purposes for the good of all citizens; but if a tax is raised from one section of the people and spent for the good of another section (which is what the Hon. F. Langstone wants) it is an unjust and immoral tax from any ethical standpoint. Neither Mr. Simmons nor any Socialist can give a guarantee that unemployment and hard times will not occur under Socialism. Russia is under Socialism, yet the consensus of opinion is that the Russian common people have tho lowest standard of living in Europe. In conclusion, I still maintain that Mr. Simmons has failed to face the issue. He must remember that Christian churches have often done things directly contrary to the teachings of their Founder. A. Warburton.