SOCIALISM, ETC.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22257, 9 May 1934, Page 2

SOCIALISM, ETC.

TO TUE EDITOR.

Sir, —Both Mr Neilson and myself have been given much space in your columns for our respective views. [ have outlined a policy to deal with the present conditions, to start the wheels of industry going a little faster, and lessen the number of our unemployed people. If my policy were acted on it would not do any injustice to a single person. Seeing that Mr Neilson and " Definite " have not attempted to deny the correctness of my remedy, 1 would ask both a few questions which Will be of public interest. Seeing that Mr Neilson considers it to be necessary that the ownership of property should be changed, the first question I would ask him is, By what means are the . present owners to be dispossessed of their properties? Ib _ it to be by purchase or excessive taxation? If it is to be by purchase, will he inform us whom he can borrow from other than from the present possessors of wealth? If it is to be by excessive taxation, does ho uot consider that this would be equivalent to conßscation or robbery? If he has any plan other than either of these will he inform us? I can assure him l shall be indebted to him, for I know of no other method beyond that of State competition. On the assumption that he favours borrowina to enable him

to purchase property, I would ask him whether this would not increase the number of persons who do not render social service. He will admit that many of our so-called capitalists render useful service. If he dispossessed them through purchase I take it there would be no necessity for them to render service. They would in effect be pensioned off. If by chance he should favour the State using ite power to issue currency, in addition to the present money, would that not in effect be inflation—indirect taxation —and have a tendency to make the conditions worse than at present? I would be indebted to " Definite " or incidentally any advocate of the Douglas theory, if he could tell us how he would give the people who now lack purchasing power the required power so much advocated by them. I can assure him that if he can show the people how he can give them the necessary purchasing power, the country will be indebted to him.

So far as Mr Neilson's latest letter is concerned, I believe every sane person will support his definition of the Socialists' objective. The difference with him lies in the policy to bring the objective about. He informs us that he ie in favour of com. petition provided it is Socialist competition. In other words, we are to expect that he would be more fair in dealing with his fellows. The truth of this statement will be seen when MrNeilson informs us how he intends to dispossess the owners of property. I am sorry that Mr Neilson should doubt Mr Ramsay MaeDonald's actions, I can assure him it takes a man to stand against his party when it considers it is in the right and he feels it is in the wrong. I consider Mr MacDonald one of the most practical Socialists the British Empire has produced. Further, I should have no hesitation, if I was in Britain, in supporting him and his small band of Labour followers. I can assure Mr Neilson the time is not far distant when we shall see our present New Zealand Labour Party divided up, just as it is in the Old Land. The working classes cannot be fooled all the time. Unfortunately for them they are being fooled at the present time—for how long remains to be seen.—l am. etc., C. M. Moss. North-East Yalley, May 5. —___________ I