SOCIALISM AND COMMUNISM.
(To the Editor.).
Sir, —I do not think Mr Sykes, in his letter published to-day, Intended to raise a laugh, either for the amusement or at the cost of anyone, so 1 ■will not treat it-as such. I think for all of ,us who have sincere regard for the welfare of humanity the economic position of the present day is of such disturbing seriousness and urgency that there i-s little time to he interested in the round-abouts of personalities. Every earnest worker is bound to come up against the humbug of personality, and if he (or she) is to do the best work a way must be found of cutting through it. Let mo but say that if I have come a tumble — readers must be their own judges—-I am quito satisfied with getting my deserts and am as happy as ever I As Mr Sykes -emphatically disagrees with mo when I speak of Socialism, (commonly inteirpreted, las being simply Communism as practised in Russia, here Is surely his chance to draw a satisfying line of differentiation. It was not, of course, my intention to imply that all who call themselves Socialists approve of the Russian regime, or regard it as a modal for the Socialistic State. For instance, I regard myself as a Socialist because I support the doctrine of universal brotherhood, and, therefore, work for the fullest possible, social well-being of mankind, which would Involve the greatest possible freedom of initiative for the Individual. The point I wished to make was that the prevalent conception of the right means of attaining this Ideal of Socialism is fallacious because it is not practical. I say that Communism as we know it, both theoretically and in practice to-day, cannot achieve true Socialism, and it, has been my observation that the com-monly-accepted Socialistic doctrines are not dissimilar to Communism when one finally comes down from tho world of " Socialistic ” ideals, however ; worthy, to tho question of an economic system. It has seemed also to me that most professing Socialists aro frank I admirers of tho Russian ideal (which is doubtless better than tho means being used for its -realisation). If this is not so, surely Mr Sykes can do good work by pointing out -precisely what he, as a Socialist, stands for in the matter of an economic -system, In contradistinction of what. Communism stands for. As a lead-off let -mo reiterate that Douglnsism -stands for an economic system which would evoke the utmost productivity with the least possible human offort. There would he enough provided for and purchase- j able by every citizen, beside which ' there would he good profits and wages for all who engaged In Industrial activities. —I am, elc., n. E. HANSEN. J Orini, July 15, 1932,
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Bibliographic details
Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18691, 18 July 1932, Page 11
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463SOCIALISM AND COMMUNISM. Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18691, 18 July 1932, Page 11
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