Socialists and their Principles.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 47, 20 November 1902, Page 2

Socialists and their Principles.

There are fashions in Socialism just as there are in hats. The Socialists of France and Italy consider that hostility to religion is necessary for their existence, as was evidenced by their claims for the expulsion of inoffensive and defenceless nuns in the former country. The German Socialists, on the other hand, are more practical and tolerant. At their annual congress held recently at Munichthey took pains to assure the public that they do not interfere in religious affairs, and that they have no sympathy with the imposition of penalties on account of religious opinions. In their programme they manifestly prefer practical reforms to chimerical schemes. The main feature of a series of resolutions which they passed at Munich was a demand for the extension of municipal power. They advocated the acquisition by municipalities of building land for the erection of workmen's houses, generous support of the poor and the unemployed, public baths and parks, an eight hours' day, the wages to be fixed according to the trade union scale, the establishment of special schools for backward children, public libraries and meeting halls, and free burial. The opposition to the Socialists would be quickly reduced were • they to confine themselves to proposals of this character.