LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
[Correspondents are requested to keep their letters as brief as is reasonably possible. The most suitable' length is that of one of our " News of the Week" paragraphs. Signed letters are given a preference over those bearing a pseudonym.—Ed. THE SPECTATOR.] SOCIALISM TRUE AND FALSE [To the Editor of Tim SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Lord Snowden contributed an interesting article to your issue of the 5th inst. under the title " Socialism True and False," much of which will appeal to social reformers. But what he would have us believe is that his conception of Socialism is not much different from the Labour programme, and by way of a start he advocates the co-ordination of the transport services ; organization of electricity supplies ; national organization of water undertakings ; nationalization of the coal industry and the land. Not a bad start, and " there is no need to quarrel about what may be beyond."
Certain it is that Lord Snowden's conception of true Socialism is quite different from that of those responsible for Socialist propaganda in the country. It is no use ascribing any deviation from his conceptions to the over-zealousness of sonic new adherents. Sir S. Cripps is now a member of the Labour Party Execiitive. His view is that we shall never be a peaceful society until we have got rid of capitalism, for it is capitalism which is supposed to be preventing better conditions for the worker. The First Workers' Government gives us a full-blooded programme, and although Lord Snowden may say it does not represent true Socialism, Sir S. Cripps considers it " presents a picture of what I very much hope may happen in the near future " ; and by Mr. Cole as a really thought-out Socialist policy" (although he may, of course, change his view next year).
Nationalization of the banks is there. It will not matter whether the budget balances or not, and whether we inflate or deflate is immaterial. Unemployment benefit might even be increased by inflation. Land, coal, iron and steel and the motor industry nationalized, and we are to have a standard type of motor. Retail shops are to be carried on by the Co-operative Societies, supplemented by Government shops, producing standardiied food, clothing, boots, pots and pans, cigarettes and the like. Building societies to be abolished and house property to be nationalized. Government would take over all newspapers.
This is only a part, but it makes strange reading with Lord Snowden's complaint that " there is another hindrance to. the advance of conscious support of Socialism which arises from a sincere conviction that it would destroy private property and private enterprise and individual liberty." Or, " a Socialism which standardizes everything would have no attractions for me."
Lord Snowden tells us what he believes to be true. Socialism, and asks us not to be led away by the new adherents. But they are in the saddle. They are the priests of the " false doctrine " on which all propaganda is based, and to support them would not be to support the case for some of the excellent reforms which Lord Snowden, sponsors,. but those which he says he would not tolerate.—I am, Sir, Your obedient servant,
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