CAPITALISM DEFENDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22094, 27 April 1935, Page 12

CAPITALISM DEFENDED

SERVICE TO MEN'S NEEDS RAISING PEOPLE'S STANDARDS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] DUNEDIN, Friday A striking defence of capitalism was made by Mr. James Begg in the course of an address before the Workers' Educational Association on the subject of "New Zealand as it Might Be." He had been discussing democracy, which, he stated, with all its faults and weaknesses, was better than any form of dictatorship, no matter whether the latter might he of military variety, capitalistic. aristocratic or of the proletariat. Proceeding to discuss capitalism, Mr. Begg said it was still very young, barely a century old in the form in which they knew it. Unfortunately, it had ' possessed most of the faults of youth, but there was another side to it. Under it, endless mellions of human beings had found subsistence and a certain measure of happiness who otherwise would have perished like flies. "It, is since the advent of modern capitalism," Mr. Begg continued, "that the populations of Britain, Europe and America have increased hy leaps and bounds, while the standards of living have also improved. Capitalism developed the discoveries of scientists and applied them to serve the needs of men. It covered the world with transport systems, steamer, railroad and airway, and largely put an end to local, but freSuently recurring and dreadful, famines. nder it great systems of education for all, hospitals and health services have grown up. Under it, in the year 1932, at the very bottom of the depression, the people of Britain were better fed, better clothed and better housed than ever before. These are no mean achievements. "Talk of a capitalistic class anywhere, but particularly in New Zealand, is absurd and mischievous. The majority of the adult male population are capitalists in some degree. Go among the unemployed and you will find many who were capitalists a few years ago. Go among those who possess capital and you will find numbers who have tramped the country looking for a job and carrying all they possessed. Capital has been a great factor in breaking down caste. Much remains to be done, and the existence of unemployed is a blot that must he removed. Capitalism, wisely controlled, can be used."