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Socialists Discuss Socialism

The programme opened with a forum on "the fundamentals of socialism" led by Mr. John McCreary, lecturer in Social Science, and Mr. Phil Armstrong, M.Sc. Both speakers had an Individual approach and gave their personal background to socialist conviction followed by an analysis of socialist theory and its application to New Zealand today. Mr. McCreary dealt with the development of the idea of "a better way of life" from the Republic of Plato to the Utopian Socialism of the 19th century and the dialectical materialism of Marx and Engels whose analysis of the relationships in society of man to the means of production and consequently of man to man formed the foundations of the first scientific theory of socialism.

Mr Armstrong outlined the place of the work in a socialist state, the conditions necessary for the attainment of socialism and the contrast between civil liberties under socialism and under capitalism. Hero measures such as the New Zealand Police Offences Act and the 1951 Emergency Regulations ostensibly designed to protect did in reality subvert public interests. Both speakers agreed to define socialism in terms of "the socialisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange."

A lively discussion ensued concerned mainly with the means by which socialism would be brought about in New Zealand. It was agreed that it could only come by the desire of tile majority and that at present most New Zealanders felt no urgent necessity for it. A distinction was drawn between socialism and communism, the former embodying "from each according to his capacity, to each according to his work," the latter "from each according to his capacity, to each according to his needs." It was pointed out that socialism was then a transitional stage in the development to communism but clearly separate from it. Some thought that socialism would come by gradual natural evolution facilitated by socialist education; others held that since there was always a minority whose interests could never benefit through socialism and" who would actively and unscrupulously oppose its introduction; intensive organisation of militant workers' unions must be one of the effective means to socialism and and that although pacifism and socialism wore not incompatible history had shown the value of arming the workers with guns as well as words.

On Saturday evening Mr. Frank Knipe, of the Seamen's Peace Committee, gave an excellent address on "New China." Mr. Knipe was well qualified to speak as he was familiar with Chinese ports during and after the war and had recently visited China as a delegate to the Peace Conference in Peking. The contrast between Kong Kong and the cities of the now Republic was the contrast between the old and the new; on the one hand, poverty' and prostitution, dirt, disease and despair; on the other a people for the first time in their history finding security of existence and the reality of economic progress. In China today there was a feeling of confidence in the future, of co-operation for the public good. The desire for peace and world-wide trade and cultural relations was everywhere evident. Discussion followed on the possibility of New Zealand trade with China, the position of the Universities in China, the structure of the present governing body in China and its relation to the forthcoming general elections.

On Sunday afternoon Mr. J. Winchester. M.A., gave a very well documented account of the influence of McCarthyism in America and its repercussions in New Zealand today. He showed that contrary to popular opinion Senator McCarthy was not a lone witch-hunter but that he had the support of a wide section of the American public in the grip of a Red hysteria. He was a man with strong financial support and a background of unscrupulous dealing; in spite of recent congressional investigation which revealed his misappropriation of Government funds he was stilt a man who could sway public opinion and politically embarrass Elsenhower. The fear of war which he promoted was beneficial to such Industries as DuPont Morgans. The Red scare which he created, however, rebounded and scapegoats were required to substantiate his extravagant claims. People such as Owen Lattimore and the Rosenbergs were victimised and purges were introduced to remove all liberals from Government employment. The teaching profession and universities were investigated and "Loyalty Oaths" introduced; it was even suggested that the books of the Congressional Library be examined for subversive matter. Liberalism as such was frozen. The effect on publishing, theatre and stage was crippling. A man who had published the Communist Manifesto was convicted of subversive action, 700 lawyers having refused to defend him. It was suggested that even here in New Zealand the stage could easily be set for such denials of civil liberties. The popular and erroneous belief in V.U.C. as a hotbed of communism could then lead to all sorts of injustice.

On Sunday evening well-known New Zealand poet James K. Baxter spoke on Christianity and Socialism. He defined socialism in the same terms as Messrs. McCreary and Armstrong had done and Christianity as laid down in the Apostle's Creed. He gave a historical outline of the relationships between Church and State and came to the conclusion that socialism and Christianity were not Incompatible, but that although Christians might accept socialism as a better way of life they could not treat it as an end in itself or as the ultimate aim of man. In the subsequent discussion the possibility of change in human nature following change in economic conditions was dealt with.

On Monday afternoon a watersider. Mr. Don Austin, gave an account of the position on the Wellington waterfront today where, as a result of the 1951 "strike" or "lock-out." there are now two unions. The old union comprises conscientious unionists, most of whom stayed firm during the 151 days; the second union was established by the employers and includes many "scabs" and new workers brought from up country and from other Jobs. The new union has accepted a higher minimum wage, but has agreed to work under poorer conditions than those under the old union. The new union is on the whole an amorphous body with weak leadership lacking consciousness of workers' unity. The general trend of opinion is for the necessity for one union alone for the men. Mr. Austin explained how waterfront work was organised—Just what happens when a ship comes into port and many of the working conditions of which the [unclear: public] are general, unaware.

The school was successfully concluded and the club committee thanks supporters for their attendance and co-operation in keeping things running smoothly.