DOWN WITH THE CAPITALISTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3551, 16 October 1926, Page 3

DOWN WITH THE CAPITALISTS.

WILL LABOUR. BENEFIT?

A great deal of the trouble being experienced in Britain at the present time is due to a long continued preachipg of the doctrine of “down with the capitalists.”

Organised labour there has become largely imbued with socialist ideas, which curiously, arc found very unsocial in their results. Hatred of the capitalists dominates much of the activities of the Labour Unions and Labour Party, with resultant conflict, bad for industry and injurious to the nation.

American labour is somewhat different. The large “brotherhoods” in the United States (as the Labour Unions are called) do not foster hatred of the capitalists. They are becoming capitalists themselves. The Federation of Labour works in with the capitalists to a considerable extent. Partnership of capital and labour is recognised not as a doctrine to be preached, but a good rule of practice.

Workers would do well to think whether this fact of industry in America has not something to do with the high wages paid in many industries of that country. “Down with the! capitalists” shouted the Bolsheviks of Russia and proceeded to put it into effect. Result which followed —the Soviet powers are begging the capitalists of Europe for capital to enable their country to carry on. Wages of Russian workmen average just about 50 per cent, of what they were in 1913. Does- it pay the

workers? WHO ARE THE CAPITALISTS Shortly put, the capitalists are all'who own capital. Now, there l are three common words which are all so nearly related to one another that may be written thus —cattle — chattel —capitnl. The first capitalists were men who captured and tamed cattle instead of killing them and, who, claiming them as their own, called them “chattels,” a lawyer’s term for one kind of property. Capital is simply things —commodities —used for the production of other commodities.

It is impossible for society to exist without capital. The capitalists whom the socialists wish to do away with are those who own capital and employ others. What is lost sight of is that in abolishing the capitalists not only will those who employ others be put out of business but others will soon find they cannot employ themselves and capital itself "will be depleted. This is the experience of Russia that capital has been lost and many can neither be employed by others nor employ themselves productively. HOW LABOUR BENEFITS. Labour benefits in several ways ‘by the use of capital. In point of fact, labour in modern society, cannot continue to exist without capital. Specialised forms of capital, machinery, engines, plants, works, relieve man more and more of the “donkey work.” Coal cutters, for example, relieve miners of much heavy work. Again, capital takes the risk of industry off the shoulders of labour. The first claim on the products of industry is the wages of the workers. If the goods when produced do not sell, or sell at a loss, still wages have to be paid. The difference made in the output of labour when assisted by highly specialised forms of capital is almost incredible and labour benefits by increased remuneration and improved standards of living. The princely wages being paid to thousands of workmen in America are not entirely due to the increased exertions of the worker. It is mainly caused by the capital used.

It is, then, in every way to the benefit of the rvorkers to preserve capital and help increase it. To “doAvn” the capitalists will inevitably destroy much capital. The people who will suffer most from this procedure are the Avorkers. For such reason the Avage earners will be studying their own interests by repudiating this socialist ranting. (Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League).