POVERTY KILLS

Socialists are always pointing out that capitalism creates poverty that in turn leads to starvation, crime and death; but a recent news item from Manilla illustrates that the poverty that leads to desperation also can result in death. " A Second World War mortar shell found by fishermen on the seashore exploded in the Philippines yesterday, killing four men and wounding two. The 81mm shell blew up when they tried to saw it to pieces to sell to scrap metal dealers." (Times, 11 August) Capitalism is a desperate society, it often leads to desperate outcomes. RD