SOCIALISM.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13646, 14 July 1908, Page 7

SOCIALISM.

(To the Editor of the "Timaru Herald.") Sir, —As one whose sympathies are very much with the Socialise movement, ± a in. very pleased to have heard the Rev. Mr Guthrie's sermon on Sunday evening, and would like lo congratulate him on Uie manner in which he dealt -with his subject. As he mentioned in introducing it, the question is such a wide one, anu has so many aspects, that he could not in the natiure of things, deal adequately wi'h it in the short time at hi» disposal. Still his definitions and eriticsms revealed the fact that- he had taken some trouble to understand the ideals and aims of the movement, so that his sermon was a pleasant contrast to much "of the ignorant vapouring, thai, often does duty as criticism) of the great moral, political and economic theory of reform known as Socialism. While, however, expressing much sympathy at some of its aims, ...ere were several very salient and vital features' which he objected t» or misunderstood. Dealing wi'-h the main plank of economic Socialism, viz., the socialisation of all land and means of product-ion, he pointed out that it was next to impossible to buy out the present owners, as the cost would be so enormous, and with respect to the proposal of confiscation, it deserved only absolute condemnation. It seemed to me strange that he should overlook the propositi of taxation, or would he call 'ihau confiscation? As Mr Guthrie will know, the method of taxation of -wealth is ' advocated and is ciaimed to be in every respect sound ethically. Taxation of wealth by : the State is common in all civilised countries, and it is only a question of what is equitable, and I cannot, believe that Mi Guthrie would contend that it is more unjust to tax wealth Ho, say feed starving children, than it would be to let them starve. It has been laid' down that the primary needs of humanity override all law, and if this is admitted then ihere- is only to decide what are these needs.

The talk of confiscation is a bogey, that will soon cease to alarm any but the very ignorant. Iti sounds very formidable and dreadful, bub on examination it is found to be only a confusion of terms, and often it would be more correct to read equity or justice where the term is used. -borne time ago, for instance, here in ~ew Zealand there was a Jaw passed giving the Government power •• to compuisoriiy purchase private estates over a certain area, so that they ; could? - be cut up . for closer settlement. . This was denounced by property owners from one end of the country to the other as confiscation, but it has proved' to be and is one of the' most beneficial and therefore one of the most just and equitable measures ever passed. Mr Guthrie would hardly contend that iti would be confiscation to lax some of the millionaires in America to enable the State to provide work for the unemployed. Another point—the revd. gentdeman admitted that there was some need for a remedy, for the bad social condiuons existing in England and America, but nere in New Zealand the worker should ba satisfied and contented. May I pointout that we have here the beginning of many of the causes of the bad social conditions in older countries, and what is wanted is to prevent us from, drifting into the same social quagmire. Take one instance only, the huge and widespread gambling in land that is going on now. Hundreds of thousands of persons are making large sums by speculating in land, obtaining wealth, without giving any return, which is, by way immoral, and thereby increasing rents, which are even now, and which will very much more in the future, add to the burdens of the people. The State is building railways and bridges and making roads at the expense of the taxpayer, thereby increasing the value of this land and the speculator and land grabber is getting the benefit. This I claim is . very much more like