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Grey River Argus, 2 December 1920, Page 2

In another column there appears ?> statement, brief, but definite and clear, of the policy of this paper —an epitome, indeed, of the policy which, since it became a Labour organ, has been •consistently set forth in the columns of the "Grey River Argus." At the present juncture such a brief, plain statement cannot but Foe opportune. The confusion in the world, which a welter of changes has brought during the past fow years, did not leave the Labour movement quite unal>3cted. In many countries the workers have made great advaccs, compared with the backward state they were in previously, and their comrades in other lands have naturally been disposed to compare the methods adopted in different places to achieve the common end. There has boon much questioning on all sides as to whether this or that line of action or policy is the better. The International, for instance, to-day a vexed ques tion. There is question as to whether the workers in some western countries shall^adhere to the feccond or to the Third International—tliat of Geneva, or that of Moscow.- One reason foi their differences of opinion has been the varied viewpoints of workers generally in contemplating the rise of the proletariat in Russia to absolute power There is undoubtedly a common goal for all working class action, but omnis quisque in suo sensu abundet. Different countries arc more or less committed to different modes of action to achieve the common end and to realise the common vf deal. Likewise, in particular, eouintries, there aret different branches of the Labour movement, whether industrial, political, or propagandist, each of which may be inclinnrl to rely solely upon its own method? for the attainment of the industrial commonwealth and the Socialist state. It has become a commonplace remark that, during the past decade, the world has undergone a greater social and political transformation than it did throughout practically the whole of the preceding century. The succession of changes during the past half-dozen epoch-making years has revolutionised the opinions of men, and the. coming years ivre destined to witness in. most civilised institutions a scrips of revolutions corresponding to those which the war, its causes, and its consequences have worked in the human mind. The old traditions of class privilege and of the ascendancy of the wealthy, the deep-rooted cult of imperialistic ambition, the soul-destroying axioms of a purely capitalistic political economy, arc as idols fallen into the dust. As many monarchies have lately fallen "as those that still linger on. In their place there are republics. Self-determi-nation is the new watchword. Yet more significant than all these uprootings of ancient tyrannies, and hatreds, and prejudices, has been the world-wide ascendancy gained by a new ideal. This is the ideal of human brotherhood. But amid all the changes, one fact still stands out. Capitalism retains its dominating hold of the vast majority of the human race, i rue, it has every appearance *of having been overthrown in one cardinal instance, Russia; but, just as it remains still dominant elsewhere, so there remains with its victims, the world's workers, a conviction—unaltered amid all the war's great changes—that, to replace international' capitalism by international socialism, is.. the supreme task of the working class. While other classes have perforce changed their be-

Kefs, the working class Tem&ya»'' f stead- I fast in its determination that a new/ and a grdater indu.sji.rial revolution must put an end to the capitalistic system, which two centuries ago was established by the last industrial revolution. Capitalistic control of production and distribution has run its course, and control by the workers, the actual producers and distributors, must take its place in order to put an end finally to the exploitation of the j.iany by the few. Now it has been said that the Russian revolution has left the Labour movement where it used to be in practically not one single country. But is New Zealand the Labour movement is comparatively in its youth In point of years, no matter how advanced it may be in point of aims and achievements. Thus, the first objective must be to unite every 'New Zealand worker in that movement, while keeping always in view the world objects of International Labour. In the light ( of those requirements, it will be recognised that the policy of the "Argus" is one that holds out hope of the best results in both respects. Firstly, that policy stands for International Socialism. The great difficulties of the Russian Republic at its birth ,in stalling off the attafeks ,bf capitalistic governments, affords a proof that Socialism must aim at being world wide to fully succeed. This implies an inecssant attack upon the capitalist state everywhere, as we know it; and that sj'stem must be attacked in all its ramifications, even, if need be, with its own weapons. Then, in advocating industrial parliaments to replace the present capitalistic parliaments, the "Argus" stands for an old ideal, whose realisation will settle the the question of exploiting the worker for good and all. Its. aim is to unite all workers in organisations along the lines of the industries themselves; and, finally, to place the absolute control of each and every, inchistry under the elected representatives of the workers who conduct those industries, whether singly or collectively. This would eliminate the power of the non-prodxieing capitalist to take from the products of labour the surplus profits he now takes. It would ensure that hours and conditions would be regulated by the workers, making him the master of his destiny. So all would need to become workers, and opportunity to do so would be denied to none. Such a desirable consummation, however, calls for a stern struggle, and in this the political weapon cannot be discarded any more than can industrial and! • orgasnipation. It would bo foolish to give the capitalist an unequcstioned monopoly of political and legal power, especially in the 'present state of the public mind. It might mean pulverising industrial organisation, to j u^§ c ky recent legislation. Finally, the "Argus" stands for. Internationalism, or in other words human brotherhood, as a powerful lever *"0 overthrow capitalism and to erect l^he universal Socialist commonwealth. •Jueh may not moan absolute imiformty — it may be best realisable by unity ■n essentials and diversity in other respects. It can in any case come, only "rom the free choice of free peoples. The peoples must be free to choose >ofore they can do so. They must, in short, possess the power of self-deter-nination. They must be able nationilly to express themselves, and if not, c hey cannot express themselves interlationally. Therefore the "Argus" stands for self-determination for all icoples in the interests of internaionalism. In the conviction that such i policy is broad enough and comprehensive enough for each and all, we hall continue its advocacy unremittingly for the promotion of a grea'i, mited, and -triumphant Labour mov fluent in New eZaland.