SOCIALISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23542, 4 July 1938, Page 7

SOCIALISM

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—" Lofty ” takes leave ot a •• worthy foe ” while agreeing to differ. I also do the same, and would thank “Lofty” for not assuming that I am a scoundrel or heathen, merely because I do not see eye to eye with him on one of the most debatable subjects under the sun. Most advocates of Socialism accuse those who differ from them of being” everything that is bad and insincere. . I must, however, refer to ‘ Lofty s letter. He claims a wide humanitananism for Socialism opposed to selfishness and disregard of the poorer sections, which, he infers is the attitude of anti-Socialists. Facts do not support, this implication. Look at Great Britain, which under Conservative rule, has established social services and betterment legislation unsurpassed in any country. No, Sir, the Socialists are not the only people who show concern for the unfortunate. I do not hold with the recent habit of bringing Christ into political controversy and am sorry “Lofty” has done so. Socialists are not the only people who try to follow the teachings of Christ. The fundamental issue 10-day is. which policy is best for the people as a whole —private enterprise or State ownership and control? This has nothing to do with Christianity, nor can anyone quote a passage from the Bible

which indicates, that Christianity implies State ownership and control. In snite of this, I am told by Mr Savage that if he “is content to follow in Christ’s steps” I should support him if I claim the name of a Christian. No one, whether Prime Minister or otherwise, has the right to say that I am not a Christian if I do not support his theories. Yet that is what is now being implied by many supporters of State Control. —I am. etc., Ajax. July 1.