Parr and Capitalism

Maoriland Worker, Volume 13, Issue 30, 25 July 1923, Page 4

Parr and Capitalism

We read in the paper*- that vhe Hon. C. J. Parr made a "slashing" defence of the capitalist t.ysl«m in the House, and administered a "stinging" rebuketo the Labour Party Cor supporting so impractical a system as Socialism. We. cannot say that the utterances of the honouratle gentleman affect us that way, and Aye can only conclude that he had a "good press." Mr. Parr's eulogy of capitalism'suggests that Tie is under the impression that society as it uoav exists is pmv unadulteratedcapitalism. Avh-ereas it is nothing of the sort. Present-day conditions may be accurately described as capitalism modified by all sons of social principles • foreign to its essence, and it is the modifications that have improved' the human lot in thi past century, and not "capitalism. Instead of pure capitalism operating wholly on the basis of laisso; faire and unrestrained competition, we have a system running from the communism of the State schools. State and municipal OAvnership, the legal minimum Avage. factory laws, down to unregulated profiteering and barefaced sweating, the Avhole being strongly influenced by such social organisations as Trades Union-

ism and co-operation. In fact, a new system has germinated and grown within the old Avhich only needs amplification to bring Socialism to fulfilment. When Mr. Parr says capitalism has improved conditions, he really means that the adA'ances toAvards Socialism have accomplished this, but the poor chap doesn't knoAv. it.