Socialism in the Commons

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

Socialism in the Commons

Philip Sudwden's motion proposing; the snpercesslon of capitalism by a i Socialist organisation of society was • defeated in the House of Commons by I oGSvotes to 121, which means that, as j we expected, the £il;erals (both j

brands) marched into the same lobby! as the Tories against Labour. New ! Zealand daily press contents bills ex-: pressed the feelings of their proprietors by shrieking "Socialism Defeated i in the. Commons"; but that is not the' point. The real point is that 121 votes! were cast for Socialism in a Chamber i where, but tAventy years ago, it had, i apart from Keir Hardie, no supporters j at all. . Besides.' although Socialists must capture the Commons. Socialism will not be decided there, but in the • hearts and minds of the millions out-,

side. Mr. L. George sees this plainly enough, because, as lie said during the debate, the real problem the defenders of capitalism had to face lay in the fact that four and a quarter millions voted for a Socialist Party at the elections. Well, how are the capitalists going to deal Avith it? We feel confident they cannot solve it to their own satisfaction. If they continue their present muddle', humanity Avill rebel against Its evil consequences, and if they mitigate conditions, a better mentality will be produced which will press forward to a higher social order. Miv Snowden's motion is historic. For the first time, the House of CJonrunons has discussed ideas which will "change the very Jounda*4oiis of society; . - ■ ■* ■? ~-■*--