CORRESPONDENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12580, 29 September 1908, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

Parliamentary Representation

TO THX IDITOB.

Sir, — As a Socialist, and a member of the Socialist party of Wanganui, I am surprised at Mr Walter Grey's letter of advice to the electors. The aim of all Socialists is to support measures, not men. So it is clearly the duty of all Socialists to wait until all the candidates have placed their views before the electors, not, as Mr Grey would have us do, settle our votes at this sta°e of the election, without h*ving heard ail the candidates. Mr Grey's action is but an example of why Socialism is not understood, for in thoroughly unreasonable manner he settles his vote and asks others to do likewise, before even one election speech is delivered, or without recognising his party in any shape or form.I would warn Socialists that in all ordered forms of society some governing authority must be recognised, to which obedience must be given,. So in party politics, anyone who claims to belong to a party must recognise the majority vote of that party. When the Socialist party of Wanganui decide on who they shall support at the forthcoming election, should that choice be other than Mr Hogan, I claim that Mr Grey must support that choice, or he is no Socialist, in conclusion, I would like to point out that the Socialist party, acting on a majority vote at a meeting called for the purpose of selecting a candidate, is the only proper authority to use the name of Socialism in advising the electors how to vote. — I am, etc.,

SOCIALIST.