COMMUNISM AND LABOUR.

Evening Star, Issue 22444, 15 September 1936, Page 7

COMMUNISM AND LABOUR.

TO THE EDITOa. Sir, —“ Watchful ” has a very strange idea regarding Communism. He should look up the subject and study it before suggesting that bloodshed is advocated. I am not a member of any of the dangerous parties referred to. I simply want to correct the impression that Communism is a brutal theory. Its keyword is comradeship,

and it places human life before profits. In a recent letter I suggested that, one could not be a Christian unless he was a Communist. T was not referring- to a political party, but to the basic principle of . Communism, which is the highest, ideal of human life and spiritual experience. All . good Christians are Communist in the sense that they live for the community rather: than for self. All the world’s problems are caused by advanced selfishness. Communism says, let us live for each other. Further, Communists support Labour, and therefore Labour need not be afraid, nor need any “ watchful ” Labourite preach hatred against his fellow worker because of hia adherence to a different section of the great forward movement toward peace and plenty for all—l am, etc., G. A. Hebrikg. September 15. TO IU EDITOR. Sir, —In writing to say what a sensible letter Mr Herring wrote in tonight’s paper, I also wish to comment upon a letter written by “ Watchfu s .” who seems to be another of the uninformed people. As Mr Herring says, true Christianitv and true Communism are the same in every way.'"! think it silly when “ Watchful,” like “ Outski,” suggests giving running shoes to the Communists, or in other words,‘Christians. The Communists opposed the Labour Party at the last election but could you call the Labour Party a true Christian Party? Therefore why blame the Communists? “Watchful” may a'ak how can we prove the Communists are Christians, hut. as Mr Herring points out, many people profess Christianity and yet do not practise it, whereas the Communists ■nractiae it and yet do not profess to be Christians. It was not many -"cars ago that the Labour Party had little footing in New Zealand, therefore I think it quite possible and probable that it will not be many years before we have a Communist Government here. That we. have obtained by constitutional and sane methods in nine months what the Communists will never obtain is quite wrong. What we have obtained in 100 years. America ip 200 years, and Britain in 900 years, Russia has obtained in 20. Therefore I think it is a lot of rot to run down,a good thing.—Lam, etc., . ; Inski. , September 14. •; j [