27 MARCH 1953, Page 19

Social Credit

Sta,—In criticising my description of the Alberta Social Credit Govern- ment as " a form of experimental Socialism," your correspondent, Mr. Eugene Forsey, is merely emphasising the disparity between theory and practice. I agree that the Alberta Government conducts its affairs in an eminently conservative manner; the fact remains that it was returned to power—and at present maintains its semi-hypnotic hold on the rural electorate—by nominally advocating the most violent fiscal reforms which would certainly produce a Socialistic egalitarianism if they were ever carried out. The Alberta Government, in common with its avowedly Socialist counterpart in Saskatchewan, has been distin- guished by the speed with which its zeal for social justice evaporated in face of the sudden prosperity resulting from oil and natural gas revenues. But Premier Manning's Fundamentalist disciples would probably desert en masse were he publicly to repudiate the Social Credit dogmas which so captivated his predecessor, Aberhart—not- withstanding the fact that Manning has neither the intention nor the legal power to put them into effect.—Yours faithfully, DESMOND E. HENN.

2066 Angus Street, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.