The New Socialism

Maoriland Worker, Volume 12, Issue 295, 25 October 1922, Page 4

The New Socialism

The cabled news that the British Independent Labour. Party has abandoned State Socialism for a Socialism which will recognise the right of the organised workers and the consumers to powers of administration in the nationalised industries is a proof of the evolution of Socialism in conformity with the democratic ideal. State Socialism yrhioh. means merely the government ownership of an industry under tlie control of bureaucrats, who have Capitalist minds and regard the Workers as so many profit-producers, is of next to no use as a solution of the industrial problem. We have had a good, deal of this State

Socialism 111 New Zealand, and we are bound to say that strikes and threats of strikes have been just as frequent in the publicly-owned industries as in the private ones, and for the very good reason'that these,have been administered by men who believe neither in State Socialism nor any other kind of Socialism, and who simply cannot conceive that the workers have an equarright with the community in the regulation of their toil and the enjoyment of the fruits of labour. Experience in New Zealand, together with a clearer appreciation of the value of "Union organisation in reconstructing the industry of the future, has already caused the Labour Party to provide for a representation of the workers on bodies controlling public enterprises, and this, it seems to us, is absolutely essential if the principle of State ownership is to be rescued from futility—it will be a lifeless-travesty of Socialism otherwise. Doubtless from a similar experience the British Labour Party has arrived at a similar decision, which only requires power to ■work out, and which, like co-operation, will be of inestimable value in pi'oviding a business training for the workers and in developing their public spirit.