FINOODLING FIELD

NZ Truth, Issue 754, 29 November 1919, Page 12

FINOODLING FIELD

Dear "Truth," — You have lately been advocating the policy of coalition between the Liberal and Labor parties, for the express purpose of "outing" Reforra or the Conservative Party and to accomplish its utter destruction, for the purpose of clearing 1 the arena for a straight-out fight between Liberalism. On the 12th inst., Mr.' W. H. Field, the present member for Otaki, addressed the electors of the Upper Hutt district seeking their suffrage at the forthcoming elections. In the course of his remarks he sketched out the policy he intended following — if elected — the prime principle of which being antagonism- to the Labor Party. He laid it ! down that the Labor Party was out to Socialise — stressing this by qualifying it with the words — "not nationalise" — the means of production, distribution and exchange, quoting excerpts from the Labor candidates addresses at the Upper Hutt and from the "Maoriland Worker," to make clear the principles to which Labor candidates must subscriba before being qualified for election, issuing his customary solemn warning against Bolshevism and Socialism m particular. His policy is as follows: — First, he postulates there is no difference between the Liberals and Conservatives, instancing himself . as having been attached to both parties, -and the fact of the- National jGovernment, as a coalition of both parties, working harmoniously and loyally together for the common good — the only difference being, as far as I could understand — the conceit of being able to jlo the same thing better thamthe other fellow, and the sweets of office, should the Massey Government be returned a working majority of 40, he will attach himself to that party , Sho,uld the Ward party be similarly returned he will attach himself to that party, as a majority of this dimension will be sufficent to check and render powerless the Labor members who are m reality Socialists, as he has already shown, and thus, as a matter of course, Bolshevists. Under these expressed circumstances, is it not to be expected that all other candidates of the same calibre as Mr Field will go and do likewise, taking as the axiom, "Of two. evils choose the least"? Under this dictum, one wonders if such an arrangement as you have been advocating can be put into practice and carried out with the same loyalty that Mr. Field 'affirms existed m the fusion of the two parties, Tweedledum and Tweedledee. In closing, I may remark Mr. Field is either entirely Ignorant of the economic aspect of Socialism, or professes to be m order, riot \iq commit himself to the principles Involved In the axioms, "In things doubtful— Liberty. In things essential —Unity. In all things— Charity." For he flaunted Socialism, ns .a red fas to a bull, who without repson charges it, simply because it is on'ensi-v^-40-4vj-s r'sißht. When asked to define" SnctffiisifhT -his reply, was "That he ccnlrt riot-be expected to answer conundrums," and

trotted out the hoary , wheeze, "Do you mean the dividing up of wealth?" He also informed the audience of that belated fact, the existence of the vicious circle, caused by, as per Mr. Field, the , increased cost of commodites, following upon an increase of wages — that is, the passing-it-on dodge. When asked if the vicious circle was not the outcome of the present unholy system, he hesitated vouchsafing the reply, "Probably" — but, of course, "he could not trace any connection." Oh, no; none so blind as those who ; won't see. When told that the .real position was that one section of the community was allowed to obtain unlimited wealth, the other section-^-engaged m skilful, useful, necessary and dangerous work — was limited, by the Arbitration Court, to - a stipulated amount; • his reply was "There were no restrictions placed upon one m the matter of obtaining wealth." Of course' not, Mr. Field, of course not. Not even the economic ones of limited wages fixed by the Arbitration Court!, and the working of the vicious circle m conjunction. So there you are, wharfies, and you West Coast miners, and you general laborers. Out with your hoarded gold; speculate, speculate; buy up the land. It's a good investment, and sound, for although Mr. Field assured his audience that when returned to power the Massey Government were going to put a full stop and finality to land ' 'aggregation, he replied that the definition m law was so .vague, so very vague, and so wide so very wide, that rea.lly there was no danger whatever of stopping it. He did not really say this m these exact words, but that is the simple* construction of his rendering. So invest, invest, to the utmost, resting assured your interests m this respect will be well looked^ after by whichever party Mr. Field attaches himself to. Otherwise, well really, you have no interests, none whatever to

bother about. So be quiet. The interest and interests are with those who have invested their — is it surplus — wealth m the ventures that give you work. As the old song says, "work, boys, work, and be contented," produce, produce, for unlimited production is THE remedy for the vicious circle, the {solution of all your ills. We have it on the expert economic authority of Mr. Field/ and he has it from another politician m South Africa, for he read out the excerpt at his meeting, so rest assured of its truth, although facts speak otherwise. — Tours, etc., "TRUTH SEEKER" Upper Hutt.