“PROLETARIAN SCIENCE”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26777, 21 May 1948, Page 6

“PROLETARIAN SCIENCE”

Sir,—l cannot agree with “ Greg ” that Proletarian science or Marxianism is related to Christianity. To me they are directly opposed. To operate Marxianism at this stage of man’s development necessitates regimentation and a lorm of dictatorship, or the voluntary subservience of the people to a central body or individual, while people cannot be prevented from thinking, they can be prevented from expressing and acting upon what they think. Furthermore, they can voluntarily agree through their collective organisations to become slaves or serfs to their rulers. To the degree that men can express and act upon their thoughts they are politically and economically free. For example, one can safely say that at no period in New Zealand’s history have men had “ less ” political and economic freedom than at the present time, or have they ever been in greater danger of losing what little freedom they now have. They may claim they have more “ economic security,” which is very doubtful, but they cannot claim they are extending their individual freedom. The loss of political and economic freedom becomes greater as men become more willing to become subservient to an executive body. The most glaring and recent example is the reported unanimous decision of the delegates at the Labour Party’s conference to give the National Executive power to expel members who criticise the policy or actions of the Government. In effect the conference of delegates pledged the enslavement of their members to support the executive and the Government whether the policy was good or bad, and, furthermore, to disown and disregard “ truth ” if it inconvenienced or embarrassed the party machine. The development and growth of Christianity result in the decrease of law and regulation, and man’s political and economic freedom is extended. As the result of extended freedom, man’s efforts to produce are increased and his desires and wants are more easily satisfied. Strife, envy and greed, which are the main causes of Communism and war, are destroyed.—l am, etc., C. M. Moss.