The Oxford Union Visit

(The following letter, we understand, was cordially refused by all three Wellington dailies, "Truth," and the "Lyttelton Times.")

Sir,—From letters published elsewhere I gather that a Tory minority (of students at Victoria College, Wellington) wished to deny the existence of a Socialist minority, and to forbid their visitors using any arguments that might convert Tories, and so create a nidus of Socialism. The issue was a non-committal resolution.

What a set of prigs! If there were no Socialists among the students, I should despair of them. When I was an undergraduate at Oxford I belonged to "L'Internationale" and barracked for Rossel; I didn't know what it meant; it was just generous impulse, love of the under dog. The students here have a perfect right to advocate Socialism, or Anarchism, or any other 'ism, provided only they do not urge immediate violence.

I have always been a Republican, and believe firmly that had a resolution in favour of a Republic been carried at Home—say in 1908—the then King would have supported it, and volunteered to be the first President. Why not? The King game is played out, and our Monarchy is only waiting for a chance to retire gracefully. The other Kings are laughing-stocks, bad company to be in. As to Socialism, the only objection is the ignorance and dishonesty of the masses: We are educating them, and as soon as they are fit to vote intelligently, Socialism will be practicable, and will come. As to Bolshevism, the only reason that labour men vote for it is that they do not know what it means. Expound it faithfully, quoting the actual words of Lenin and Trotsky, and you will find the labour people anxious to disclaim any sympathy with it.

And so, while I oppose both Socialism and Bolshevism, I hope our students will hear arguments in their favour.—I am, etc.,