PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21218, 14 September 1940, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to write i:i ink. It 1S essential that anonymous writers * enclose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith. Unless i this rule is complied with, then letters will not appear. j SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS (To the Editor.) Sir, —The following ed by Mr G. A. Street, a British farmer, in his book, “ A Year of My Life.” seem very pertinent to the problem of deciding whether man should be a free agent, as the individualists claim, or a mere machine, as the socialists proclaim. Having lived in what may be called our pioneer days, I have seen many examples of strivers begin small and grow big, thus benefiting themselves, their community and the nation. Here are Mr Street’s questions:— | “Is that capacity to begin small : ! and grow large not a valuable charI acteristic in any man, especially in a ; ! farmer? Are not such men a valuable asset to the nation? Is not a system which permits the striver to attain his just reward a sound one? ” For one, I cordially answer the last query in the affirmative. My socialist friends, however, are more likely to class the striver as a social pest. —I am, etc., A. WARBURTON. . Ngaruawahia, September 12. i NATIONAL SOCIALISM ; (To the Editor.) Sir, —The unfoldment of action is relative to environment. National socialism as reflected by the sadistic cruelty of Hitlerism could only origi- j nate in an atmosphere of decay. j Socialism is merely the product of a process. As an illustration, in a given environment relative to social- : ism, behold the unfoldment of action. As an example of this outstanding ; truth, take Goering, for instance—swaggering sadish of the swastika, de- ; dared drug addict, twice inmate of j an asylum (asylum No. 291). Here | then we find degeneracy and per- j version raised to the rank of states- ! manship. It is obvious that Hitler, Goering and their associates symbolise the end of a certain development, to wit, national socialism. In Germany, the development, National socialism, reached the zenith of its power twelve months ago. There was only one thing for it to do—expand externally. It did, by declaring war on Poland. Thus this unclean thing, national socialism, sealed its own doom.—l am, etc., HARRY WOODRUFFE. Auckland, September 12. EQUAL WORK AND EQUAL PAY (To the Editor.) Sir,—Will Mr G. A. Crabb define i what he means by capitalism? He | desires to know something about ! slumps. Slumps are caused by two j factors—one through finance, and the : other by natural causes. Financial slumps are not engineered by the capitalist; natural slumps are caused by the failure of natural conditions, | weather, crops, etc. j The fundamental error of Socialism is in the idea of regimentation of human beings. There is no basis for equality as we are all totally different in construction of human faculties. | Who is to decide what is the right i wage for any man? The master sits : in his office and he may appear to do little. The labourer is at his bench producing the goods for the master. How can Mr Crabb, or anyone else, decide what remuneration should be allotted to the master and to the labourer? ' The fault in the system of labour in : this country is the fact of a standard wage decided on a standard of living rather than upon results ana quality of work. Both the capitalistic. ! and socialistic systems are faulty. Co- ' operation is the key factor in produc- ! tion.—l am, etc., JOHN SMYTHE. Hamilton. September 13.