WCP2670

[1]¹

69, Warrendon Park Rd

Edinb.

March 7^th, 88

Dear Mr Miller,²

Thank you very much for your kind loan of Professor Wallace's letter,³ which I now return.

With reference to his various points, I may say briefly that my definitions of socialism have been accepted by socialists of every school. They differ on side issues & particularly as to the methods of realising [2] the theory.

As the book was intended to be an exposition or discussion of the leading principles of socialism, I have not dwelt on the most practical steps, though I have indicated them. At any rate I entirely agree with Prof. Wallace in the belief that, since the break down of our land-system within the last few years, the important matter is to restore the law to the workers & the workers to the land through the medium of local bodies. This is why I have insisted on the reform of local government & [3] especially on the restoration of the a self-governing parish ^{(Mr Wallace's Village Community)}, corresponding to the French commune. Mr. Wallace's views in this connection are most valuable, & I trust he will develop them with a form for publication, if he has not already done so. I have not seen anything of his containing such views, nor am I aware that he has worked out the idea of "free association of workers & small capitalists" as a substitute for wage labour. I must say that this looks exceedingly like socialism.

[4] On the whole I don't see that he & I differ seriously. I do not even object to competition per se; I object to unregulated competition in a social system, under which the means of production are virtually the monopoly of a class.

I earnestly hope that Mr. Wallace will develop these views into a book or into review articles in the meantime & then into a book.

I shall of course respect your wish not to make the letter known to any one.

With kind regards | Yours sincerely | T. Kirkup⁴ [signature]

P. S. Do exhort Mr. Wallace to publish the views indicated in his letter.