PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose letters are welcome, but for whose views wc have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to writ*; in ink. It is essential that anonymous writers enclose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith. Unless this rule is complied with, their letters will not appear. PAMPHLETS ON MOTOR-CARS (To the Editor) Sir, —The writer is pleased to read that the chief traffic inspector at Hamilton has issued a warning against the placing of paniphlets under the windscreen wipers of private motor-cars parked in the streets. If the practice is not discontinued at once I hope the authorities will take prompt action. Recently I found a pamphlet wedged under the wiper on my car, and I observed that dozens of other cars had been treated similarly. Most people find it wise to lock their cars and close the windows so that propagandists cannot now place their pamphlets inside the vehicles. I consider it impertinence for such people to lay their hands on other people’s property, with the possibility of causing damage.—l am, etc., CITIZEN. Hamilton, February 16. QUALITY OF FREEDOM (To the Editor) Sir,—Freedom is a word used by many but understood only by a select few. The conception of individual freedom is, in its essence, a negative one—freedom “from,” not freedom to; freedom from another’s coercion, from restraint by another’s will; not freedom to do as one pleases in relation to others, not freedom to take whatever is in one’s power. For freedom excludes aggression, coercion and restraint. In spite of laws, decrees, ordinances, edicts, which fail like hail upon an unfortunate people, voluntary association for reciprocal action can be felt everywhere and is at every moment available and waiting to solve every problem of social intercourse, to decide every issue that arises in commerce and industry. Capitalism may to a certain extent permit the strong to exploit the weak. Socialism, which reflects control, coercion, restraint, regimentation and control authority, violates individual initiative, free contract and voluntary association, and in consequence makes it quite possible for the weak, the sadist, the degenerate, to exploit the noble, wise and strong. Conditions peculiar to socialism cannot determine the following: (1) No individual shall be coerced; (2) and that no part of the product of any one’s labour shall be taken from him without his consent. Hence freedom is impossible under Socialism, by virtue of the fact that the sovereignity of the individual is not relative to those conditions which determine and maintain an organism peculiar to Socialism. Conditions which determine the spirit of authoritarianism reflect enslavement; hence the liberty of the individual or the group depends upon the degree of development of the ideals of freedom.—l am, etc., HARRY WOODRUFFE Auckland, February 15.