CORRESPONDENCE.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12397, 12 November 1908, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

[The Editor . does not necessarily identify himself with the opinions expressed by his correspondents. ]

SOUIALISM AND THE CONDI-

TION OF THE WOKKINU CLASSES.

(To the Editor of "The Colonist.")

Sir,— May 1 ask the hospitality of your columns to enable me to remove an impression, created hy reoeat statements therein, thac the Nelson S icialiats are peculiar, narrow in tbeir views, and separated by them f'rom^otber Socialists. This is entirely incorrect. The Australian federation, to "which we belong, is alii Hated with the British and Godti oental Social - Democrats and U. S. A . Socialist Pa tty. O ur f oun - dution doctrine is thus stated by A. M. Simons (eait'or "International Socialist Keview," U.S.A.) :- "Our present society is to be tiausformed through a class-conscious ra r volt of the workers, navirig as its object the capture of the machinery of social control, that the productive and distributive forces -of" society may be collectively organised in the interest of aIL .producers— given to the world over 50 years ago (by Marx and Enjels in the communist manifesto of '48) it is to the common platform upon which to-day over 10 million of workers with branohas in every, land are marching on to certain victory. There is no common ground between Socialist and any soue'nie or plan for the improvement of society. Socialists are often asked to unite, with 'other reform forces.' Such talK implies an utter misapprehension of the essential characteristics of Socialism." That is our position. We can neither tempo ri3e uor compromise. We work for the total overthrow of the present competitive system of society,, with all. its attendant and , inevitable brutalities, cruelties ead~ horrors, poverty, 'drunkenness and immorality "included! and tin establishment of tho co-operative commonwealth, and desire no help from, nor can give help to, any reform party whose object falls short of that. : We have baen cajoled, misled and betrayed toi often. As individuals we may wisa tneni well, as party we fight for our own hand. We depend upon the class-consciousnss of the workers, not their vague unintelligent discontent to attain our objact. As regards amelioration of present conditiona, ouv challenge still holds good. Let - our opponents, if they cai, nAm9 any party with so radical a programme of ameliorative refjrm3 as that indicated previously by me. Opposed to the betterment of the conditions of the working classes? We are tho working ctas9es ! We welcotne critloism, earnest, tboughlful reason! og opposition — '. wj nan only treat vituperative abuse with the contempt it deserves. Taanking you in .anticipation.: — I am, etc., ,

ARTHUR WHITAKER, Hon. Secretary Nelson Socialist Institute.