THE NEW PHILOSOPHY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24411, 24 September 1940, Page 9

THE NEW PHILOSOPHY

TO THF EDITOR Sir,—As we eagerly pick up your journal to scan its pages to learn of the latest exploits of the R.A.F., the Army and Navy, with emotional and soulstirring admiration for their heroic deeds, and lay it down again with renewed confidence that the demoniac arch-hypocrites who are waging war against women and children will be laid low by these sons of the bulldog breed, there remains a conscious feeling that there is something lacking in your columns to which we-had grown accustomed. We are suddenly reminded of what this is when we read your article, taken from the Evening Post, with an extract quoted from the views of General Smuts: " France was a sick soul before the end came, and her case deserves our deepest sympathy." As we read on we could almost believe we were reading our own obituary notice, and were preparing the obsequies for the burial of Socialism. What causes that feeling is the absence of those letters, penned so carefully and laboriously, of the merits and paradisiacal joys that obtain under the Socialist political system. The glad tidings that we had escaped from the tentacles of the capitalists were sent to Russia and the rest of the world, and a beautiful picture was drawn of nations gazing with wonderment and envy on our happy lot. We believed that nations,

with the exception of the reactionary English Tories, were keen to follow our example when the opportunity arose. The total absence of those letters from your columns has left us with feelings akin to those felt at the loss of a dear friend who was ever ready to cheer us when our spirits were depressed. As we are still clinging tenaciously to the new philosophy it is interesting to note some of the benefits obtainable under this politico-economic system. We witness the spectacle of farmers, shop, factory, and office girls, domestic servants, youths and thousands of others whose slender incomes are rapidly shrinking into microscopic proportions giving donations to a fund set aside by the Government to pay pensions to aged millionaires, retired merchants, editors, lawyers, brewers and others of independent means fearing that these worthy citizens may be rendered homeless and die of starvation owing to the prospect of steeper rises in the cost of living and increased taxation. These same benefactors are also dipping deeply into handbags and pockets to find some coins to maintain families of two or three children whose fathers steadfastly refuse to work more than forty hours a week on the ground that we live in a machine age. The feeling also exists that the rights of the latter to payment for extended holidays with their families in motor car tours or in the railway services, with free passes, and superannuation, which fund the public is entitled to subscribe, should be upheld at all costs. Recognising that the pinch of poverty has embarrassed them the new philosophers have given power that their wages can be raised if they are further inconvenienced So that the high standard of living of the trades unionists may be maintained the sympathetic farmers, with their wives and families, rise at 3 a.m. and work hard seven days a week until the shades of eve compel them to cease. From Mr Nash we learn that workers earning £335, and fruitgrowers earning £IOOO a year will receive no furlher assistance. This is a source of gratification which is reflected in the renewed vigour which they put into their tasks. It is also pleasing to them to believe that they will not be called upon to rise two or three hours earlier—in the meantime, anyhow. If mistaken they will, as usual, receive the bombs released from Wellington with that philosophical calm which we all so much admire. Of all the schemes propounded for our benefit, the most intriguing i s one called "Costless Credit." My dear friend, Bertie Nobbier, entered into this scheme with zeal and energy and decided to build a fleet of luxury liners. On my advice, however, he decided to modify his plan. It appears that speed is a vital factor in success. As he suffers dreadfully from corns and bunions he was too slow in getting off the mark when he desired to seek pastures new and green. There is another scheme called social security or, otherwise, the "greatest benefit scheme on earth.' - I refrain, however, from trespassing further on the editor's generosity, and will leave the merits and benefits of this scheme to the pen inspired with that fresh enthusiasm and zeal that light the fire which flames into pasans of praise, of one who has had the pleasure of receiving its bounteous aid.—l am, etc., P. F. S