MR NEILSON’S QUOTATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21365, 19 June 1931, Page 6

MR NEILSON’S QUOTATIONS

TO THE EDITOR. * S IB —'The New Zealand Welfare League, in its reference to my quotations from the 20th chapter of St. Matthew’s Gospel,: tries to show that the lord of the vine- , yard was merely portraying the example of the “ sanctity of contract.” My claim ; mainly was to show how the lord of the. vineyard treated those who were unem-, ployed, giving them all an opportunity to work for the same amount. Surely it. is a reasonable inference to take from this action that he, being a just man, • realised that their necessities were all the same, and that hence all got the same. In relation to the sanctity of contract, perhaps our Arbitration Court judge might read this chapter with some profit, and see if there is not something in it applicable to his recent judgment. I think my previous letters amply showed that Socialism does not take cognisance of a person’s religion. All we ask is_ that a person who believes in the principles of Socialism shall come in and assist to have it brought into being. Methods, as 1 have repeatedly stated, will be determined by different countries as they deem best. The cause of our troubles has first to be driven home. When this is done .then the effects will show themselves, either by law or force, as the Welfare League states, I have no doubt we shall exhaust the law first, and see what the result will be. Even force may not mean bloodshed always, as Republican Spain do-' throned its monarch and, according to reports, no serious results occurred. Here is at least a recent illustration of what can be accomplished when the majority of the people will it. —I am, etc., f June 18. T- Neilson.