MR G. M. THOMSON AND SOCIALISTS IN THE GOVERNMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14357, 29 October 1908, Page 8

MR G. M. THOMSON AND SOCIALISTS IN THE GOVERNMENT.

Sir,—Mr Thomson, candidate for Dunediii North, when asked to name the Socialists who, ho said, were in the Government, replied that tho Hon. Mr Fowlds was an advanced Socialist. Now, this is an absurd statement for a man like Sir Thomson to make. It is a wcll-know.ii fact that Mr Fowlds is a singlo-taxer. Than how can he bo a Socialist.? There is as much difference between tho two as thero is between night and day. A Single-taxer believes in taxing land and nothing else, whereas if Socialism were the order of the <lay there would bo no land to tax, for it would all belong to the State. A Single-taxc-r and a Socialist would not be seen in tho same paddock, so different- arc their views. Mr Thomson next said Mr M'Nab was a Socialist. This is another atsiird statement to make. Mr M'Nab is a man with money and land, and therefore is not a Socialist, as it is only men without anything who arc Socialists. Finally, he said the (iovermnent was dallying with Socialism, and made reference to the possibility of >Mr Laureiison becoming Minister of Railways. I have yet to loam that. Mr Laurenson is a Socialist. Let me toll Mr Thomson that if lie believes in State-owned railways, closer settlement, okl-ago pensions, St. Helen's Homes, life ami fire insurance, state farms, etc., then he, or any other candidate, believes in Socialism to a certain extent.—l sin, etc., October 27. Liberal.