SOCIALISM IN PRACTICE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22516, 26 September 1938, Page 16

SOCIALISM IN PRACTICE

TO THB BDITOB Of In PIUS. . Sir, —The, concept of Socialism presented by your correspondent ."Libertad," like rhost nights of imagination is with little respect for facts of the matter. As evidence of that "Libertad" commences his argument with the assertion that, "In*the Socialist State the population will fee divided into (a), the administrative, ~(Jj) the workers/or producers."|Later he makes statements such as leave no doubt that by' "the administrative" he means, the State, and the machinery of the State.' Does "Libertad" not know that Socialism, as propounded by Lenin and, as/it is to be seen in. Russia, includes provision that every participator in industrial or in other socially useful activity shall take part, in as much as he or *he is. fit, in the government of

such activity -with, as the common aim, complete performance by the people collectively of the functions that, in capitalistic countries, are performed by the State? _ As' foV the ether of "Libertad s assertions, all are false, because all are based on his first, which is false.

.From the standpoint of economic freedom of the people, what is the rase of capitalism? Mr . Neville Chamberiain, who is far from being f a Socialist, speaking in the House of Commons on June 3, 1933, said: "Production in these modern conditions could, almost at a moment's notice, be increased to an almost indefinite extent." Characteristically, Mr Chamberlain added that it would be "absolute folly" to allow • production to "go on unchecked." Folly for whom? Surely, not for the 34,000,000 persons who. in Britain, live constantly, as income tax and other trustworthy returns show, barely above subsistence'level! Surely only for the 12,000,000 persons who, in Britain, gain possession, as trustworthy statistics show, of more than ninetenths of the wealth that is produced. Here is a clear case of economic suppression, deliberately imposed by a small minority of the people on the great "majority. The force by which the suppression is effected is of the power of wealth. The medium by which the power is transmitted and the force applied, is the organisation known as the State. This is to say that the very conditions which "Libertad" says will result of Socialism manifestly result, not of Socialism, but of capitalism. I, like many others, advocate Socialism primarly because Socialism means release of the brakes on production of wealth and removal of the causes of inequity in the distribution of wealth, which changes, in their turn, mean freedom of all to participate, each accordingly as he or she is fit, in the activities of the world in which they have their being.— Yours, etc.. „^^,™,- HAMPDEN BOOTH. September 24, 1938.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir —One or two misleading statements are made from time to time byMr Hamilton and others. One., at least ought not to go unchallenged: the statement that any country that has once experienced Socialism has. invariably dropped it at the first opportunity. There are at least three countries Jhat now have, and lor many years have had, socialistic government, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Yet the Leader of the National Party declared with great emphasis in his speech on Friday nightl that such countries have invariably been led to the brink of ruin. In fact, the people there are most contented and prosperous. There are no slums; there is no abject poverty; there is no communistic activity. On the other hand, there is full religious instruction in schools, compulsory military training for all, and a loyalty that is proverbial. These three countries, in proportion to their population, take a leading part in all mission enterprises. The alarming bogy, that such government will interfere with and hinder private enterprise, is equally incorrect. The marvellous growth and high standard of Denmark's dairying industry, the flourishing whaling and fishing undertakings in Norway, and the,emi r hent engineering and numerous other, enterprises in Sweden—all private businesses —should,be proof enough to the contrary, If the statement Is true, that Socialism invarably lead* to, .Communism,- well; ".so far as these/ three' above-mentioned,vlevelrheaded peoples are concerned,, it has been a long time comirig!-r-Yburs,-,'etc.,- '■-"■ > '.''/,:.'" •/ - - DAN. ' September 24, 1938.