POINT-OF-THE-BAYONET SOCIALISM.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 26, 1 September 1911, Page 16

POINT-OF-THE-BAYONET SOCIALISM.

Sir, —I see a reply has been made to some of the extraordinary statements of "Clarion Scout" in your issue of July 21, but there is one other little poiiift that, in view of the anti-militar-ist agitation now going on, some exception should be taken to. Your correspondent may have -been speaking metaphorically when he wrote that "Socialism is a political movement on the part of the propertyless workers to capture the political machiniery (including the armed forces of the nation), so that tdie capitalist class can be given notice to quit at the point of the bayonet." Is this really a Socialist idea? I say no. It is? possible that the social revolution now going on may be met by a forcible counter-revolution, and the matter have to be decided on those lines, but anti-militarists should not have recourse to bayonets unless compelled. Again, may I ask if the establishment of an Industrial Republic would not be "State interference" ; would an Industrial Republic not be a, "State?"

Auckland

BEN DAVID