"COMMUNISM AS AN IDEAL"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21948, 9 May 1933, Page 10

"COMMUNISM AS AN IDEAL"

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In a footnote to a letter by 'Overland" you write: "As the results of the polling for the mayoralty imply that among 26,034 voters there were only 213 Communists, it may be suggested to our correspondent that his ideal does not come within the realm of practical politics." I am afraid this is a very poor reply to a very able letter. It pointed out quite clearly, if Nature's gifts in the form of scenery, sunshine, air, and water are enjoyed free by us, and as land comes also under the same heading, and all our • physical needs come from the land with the exception of what little comes from the sea, then thi 9 should also be free, and. not be held by the few to whom a certain toll is paid by the many for the right to use it in the interests 01 providing ourselves with life's necessities. Since Mr O'llorke polled only 213 votes you seem to imagine that is the number who believe in this principle of common ownership of the land. In this I feel you are entirely mistaken, and if Mr Cox had not entered the field I make bold to say Mr O'Rorke would have polled a substantially larger vote than he did. The reason why those who would have voted for Mr, O'Rorke and later transferred (heir allegiance to Mr Cox was that, in Mr Cox, they felt they had a better chance of securing a victory than by voting for Mr O'Rorke. Mr Cox eutered die contest on the issue of a greater amount being spent on the unemployed, etc. Anyhow, the acceptance of common ownership of the land cannot now be long deferred when nearly one-sixth of the globe has already nearly established it. and is not likely to go back on it, and the future is with the young, then. To me. if there is not complete common ownership of the land in the near future some very drastic alteration in the methods of providing ourselves with our necessities will have to be effected. You can call it any name you like, but names do not matter a great deal. —I am, etc., May 7. P. Neilson.

[Even Mr Neilson's principles do not seem to stand a practical test. Otherwise he would not on the ground of expediency have transferred his vote from Mr O'Rorke to Mr Cox—Ed. O.D.T.]