REDS DENOUNCED

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 88, 8 January 1926, Page 10

REDS DENOUNCED

BY SOCIAL DEMOCRATS

COMMUNISM REPUDIATED

The need for education, in Socialism, clearer definition, unity of effort among all sections of the working-class movement, and repudiation of Bolshevism and Communism were stressed at the thirlv-ninth annual conference of the Social Democratic Feueration, field in "Fact’s held to prove the imminent or even 1 reasonably predictable collapse of the present system have a close and logical connection with consti active Socialist work-that is to tay, with labour politics worthy of the name, said Mr. F. Montague, M.P., in his presidential address. “Of the certain collapse of capitalism,” he added, who etui entertain a doubt? To affirm it, as it is tho fashion of propagandists of the moi ement everywhere to do, is not toi say that capitalism is in its last throes or that its death-rattle can be distinctly heard. With no inconsiderable area o the world surface yet unexploited, uith alternative policies yet untried m the form of wider distribution of purchasing power, nigh production, and enhghtened slavery, it may not bo wise to anticipate the early demise of pi ivate capital The dominant fact, however, that production for profit means surplus -value implies the end of capitalism in the long or short run. Assuming that the capitalist system of society is on the downward curve, how are the workers to prepare for an ordered and peaceful change to a system of industrial and social democracy? . , "Not only in avowed Communist quarters but amongst many who repudiate Communist policy.. «« we do, the.e s considerable confusion of thought on ths question of force. Neither Socialism nor any other new form of society can ba brought about except as a result of ordered and peaceful change. Revolt is not imiiossible, but revolt, whether as a spontaneous expression of despan or the outcome of inflammatory teaching would of necessity come to a head in advance of plans for struction. Socialism could not arise of itself like a fabled bird, as a new system out of the ashes of the old. Peace and order are the conditions of the Cr ßm°olt °waf°n a ot T question now ol blunderbuss and billhook. Civil disorder would never get beyond the sW of looting shops. Communists, by their encouragement of hope in violence stead of disciplined and educated political action, hindered Socialist progress which depended upon education in be cialist principles. Communism was not a policy. It was a theory of society. As a result of the pantomime antics of the Communistic party the word had come to stand for civil 5 war and dictatorship. The nann required to be rescued from association with the propaganda of mere lawlessness. Communism meant commonservice not tho advocacy of revolution to be staged with theatrical trappings and rod lire. It could never be imposed F) dictatorship, proletarian or otherwise, because it was must bo the outcome of a dejiiwite set economic factors. The Labour Party was the only possible "united front” of the British working class. The Social Democratic Federation had long since early mistake m withdrawing fiom that body. The zig-zag path of prnct ca< polities was a difficult one for a Social Fst philosopher to tread, not because t was a zig-zag path, for compromise was another' 5 name for the line of most resistance, but because of the that in its turnings rank, uiidcigiowth might be struck that might entangle unwary feet. Taxation reform land policy, fiscal doctrine—these vei e the names of some treacherous plants. Resolutions were passed deiflon.'g the failure of the Government to piomote legislation or administrative provisions for dealing with unemployment and condemning “Fascist criminal tendenCl Mr. Kennedy, M.P., opened a discussion on social demociaey nr.d its relation to Bolshevism and Fascism. He said it was a complete misapprehension that Communists were the left wing of the social democratic movement. Russia was three generations behind, us, and had nothing to teach us in industrial organisation or political development The Communist was a danger to flit/ maintenance and development of dem - cratic political institutions. They had, however, the right to protest agarust what was obviously the method and policy of the Government towards people who were to-day usurping the functions and maintenance of law and order. The Home Secretary, for political purposes, had been going about the country trying to make peoples flesh creep with fantastic, imaginary talcs of the horrors of Bolshevism, and the inmiinnnt danger of Communism. 31r. E. J. Bav, national organiser ot tFte Federation, ’speaking on small holdings, said Lord Bledisloe in Gloucester shire had proved how agriculture could be successfully conducted on a large scale, setting up bacon-curing factories and other subsidiary industries, and it ■was a lesson to them of what should be done on a public scale. Along those lines lav the solution of the agucultural question. The 1000 acre, farm had become a practical proposition. air. Lloyd George and his associates would dish them if they could with their socalled great campaign to bring light mid lending to ,the countryside. It was time their labour comrades looked at these things from the Socialist standpoint and not the Iliberal standpoint. Tn the discussion delegates suggested there was danger of the Labour Party being cau-flit bv the Liberal land scheme, one stating that. Mr Ramsay MacDonald favoured getting the farmers labourers, and others concerned to a round-table conference to evolve a common policy. •