LABOR’S REMEDY.

Evening Star, Issue 18502, 8 December 1923, Page 8

LABOR’S REMEDY.

10 TUB EDITOE. Sir,—l have not said, as Mr A. B. Powell asserts, that tho present economic system is “ efficient.’’ What I said was that it had boon found to be “ practicable ” for centuries. Every true political reformer admits that the system is unfair and ineffective; nevertheless it is practicable—it remains the world’s system. Tho socialism of the Socialists was tried two or three times by Robert Owen in the early years of tho last century. All ended in failure. I think ho called one of his State cities “ Harmony,” but very soon there was less harmony in that city than in any other on earth. Sick of tho discontent and big rows, Owen retired to his native hills. Tho Russian ‘system, under tho now Tsar and a huge and merciless army, has lasted a few years, but the groaning of the victims is loud and long, and tho end of tho now regime may como at any time. Neither in tho Old Country nor in tho dominions is there any hope for Socialism, and there is less hope for it in Now Zealand than anywhere else. But this is not to say there is no hope for the Labor cause. Indeed, Labor under a wise leader would probably have won the last two General Elcctious; and have now an excellent chance of winning tho next. Labor has been defeated by its loaders, and the same may bo said for Liberalism. Tho masses do not want Socialism, nor do they want tho halting and tinkering policy of tho Liberal Party. Mr Powell has not yet informed us how a Socialist Government would proceed to “socialise the means of production and distribution.” As a rulo Socialists are very _ chary about imparting any information onthis head; but sometimes one meets with a Socialist orator who (in private) is charmingly frank. Several years ago 1 asked one of these oratory in private, “ How are you going to get rid of tho monopolists of land and capital?” and his answer was: “By giving them paper, and in a little while repudiating tno paper. . . .” Lovely 1 1 fear a Socialist Government would not bring us peace, and 1 guess there would not bo much capital available.

Labor should insist upon the Liberal and Labor members of Parliament meeting to draft a reasonable policy having for its object increased production, economic freedom, and somethin" like a just distribution of the national earnings. Without such an agreement there does not appear to bo any hope for either party. To prevent au agreement by pure selfishness or by demanding an impossible ideal is unpatriotic, immoral, and cruel,—l am, etc., December 8. Economist.