SOCIALISM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8513, 19 August 1907, Page 5

SOCIALISM.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l was under the impression when Mr Wilks wrote his first letter to the Age that he had studied the Socialist platform, but wlun he tells us that it is their intention to make all men equal from a natural standpoint, he shows his ignorance of the intentions of Socialists. We don't expect to overcome nature's laws, but simply to assist nature in every way. We believe that nature gave men a heart, but by their actions it may appear that a proportion are quite devoid of th.it organ. Som? natures are as solid as rock, am: perfectly immune to the suffering they cause. Environment has played havoc as far as the nature-of the higher animal is concerned, and we' believe it possible to so alter environment that the better side of nature will predominate. Socialists simply want equal opportunity and equal responsibility for all. Mr Wilks next tells us tha everybody shall work. That is exactly what Socialists want, that everyone physically fit should do their fair share. At the present time about one - third of those fitted work, so that each person working is saddled with two drones, who do nothing in a remunerative manner. He tells us, also, that thrift is one of nature's laws. A man is compelled to be extremely thrifty when he has to keep a wife and family on 12s to £1 per week, which thousands have had to do, while those owning the land have squandered that which rightly belonged to the producer. Now he tells us the Socialist doesn't want work. I defy Mr Wilks to find anything amongst his extensive Socialistic library advocating a lazy, aimless existence. But I admit that they want to dispense with a great amount that is done at nresent, for instance, I don't think you would see so man> shops selling the same class of goods in one town. I don't think you would see half a dozen bakers, butchers, milkmen, etc., working the same round. What would anyone think if six postmen worked the same district. So that it is the principle of Socialism to run everything on organised lines, not in the thor oughly disorganised manner as at present. A sane person can hardly find anything in'commendation of the present money system. Even those who have extreme riches are far from happy. When Mr Wilks talks of our Socialistic Government I wonder if he means it. I was not aware that there ever was one on earth yet. If such were the case you would naturally expect a Socialistic State. The Government at present in power are very far removed from that ideal state of things. You haven't had in this country yet anything but a capitalistic Government, and until the working men and women understand how to vote, you wi'l get nothing different. We see instances of bad stewardship and corruption very often, and it will go on urtil the neople keep a check on their servants —the Government. Mr Wilks is well up in figures as regards the losses of various municipal councils, harbour boards, etc., but he tells you nothing of the great gains, not necessarily financial, the public taken into consideration. I quite understand that those councils and boards have unscrupulous individuals on them, and sell those they represent for a mess of pottage. I am satisfied municipal or State ownership with all its faults is preferable to private ownership, which simply aims at large dividends for the few, while the other caters for the many. It is useless going further in advocating a cause that, I believe, is right, but I simply ask all who think at all, if the trend is not in the direction of something grander and better than we have at present. Certainly there will be a great amount of suffering before it comes but the day is just dawning. ;Aswe evolved into this capitalistic system, so will we evolve into one that is better. Thanking you in anticipation, I am, etc., W. MARCUS JONES. (This correspondence must now cease.—Ed. W.A.)