Dear Sir

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 41, 23 October 1946, Page 4

Dear Sir

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the right to abridge, amend or withhold any letter or letters.

WHAT.WILL BE LEFT US ?

Sir,—Many people, who look forward to the coming of Socialism as ushering in an attractive life of abundance and equality with no other alteration in our way of life, will be surprised to read the Labour Candidate’s (Dr. Finlay) statement that when the Labour Party achieves its objective of Socialism the people will not have taken from them their clothes, their radios and their private motor cars. The Minister of Transport has also stated his Government’s policy which “guarantees the preservation to the indiivdual of the unrestricted right to own and operate his own means of transport for private domestic use.” Dr. Finlay is'a skilled Socialist and undersands clearly the ultimate objective of his Party, the Socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange. He knows it means the abolition of private ownership of homes. He knows it finally means (when full planning takes place) that the State must so control or own the Banks that the State must decide who is to obtain credit. When there is vested in the State the sole right to decide where an individual is to be employed, which individuals are to be promoted, when there is vested in the State the decision as to who is to have credit and shelter (for that is what it means when the State owns all the houses) then, to use Hayek’s words, “It creates a degree of dependence scarcely distinguishable from slavery.” Yours etc., ONLOOKER.

RUGBY ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Sir, —Am I to understand that the Rugby Club of Whakatane has no accident fund for its Senior and Junior players. I am astounded to find out that a player -with a broken leg who has given all for the sport and to help his fellow players and excite aiid amuse the public has been forgotten and has to exist on a couple of quid a week, receiving no other financial assistance. Other clubs provide for such a fund, so may I recommend a dance or special match and donations for such a fund and our player who has broken his leg to be the first beneficiary. I will start a Rugby donation for our local club both Junior and Senior in giving £1 (enclosed). . Yours etc.,' ‘ALPHA.’ (In acknowledging the 20/- enclosed by our correspondent, we have to state that in conversation with the President of the Rugby Union (Mr W. S. Henderson) we learn that the Union did operate such a fund seven years ago, but with the introduction of Social Security discontinued it. However, at its last meeting it voted the sum of £5, towards a fund for a badly injured junior player,, which sum it is understood will be built up to £2O by his fellow players. We will have pleasure in handing over the sum enclosed to the club concerned if such action will meet with our correspondent’s approval. Ed.)