Prospects Of Better Things

NZ Truth, Issue 946, 12 January 1924, Page 1

Prospects Of Better Things

A vast majority of 'New Zealanders have a very hazy Idea of what SocialIsm means. Some have a queer notion that it means getting something for nothing,, That is a notion they should get out of their heads. Many things, which are nothing but Christian, are claimed as purely Socialistic. Others again, which had whiskers centuries ago, are to 4be found wandering abroad m twentieth cenjtiry up-to-date Socialistic suits. 'qjjhat the present oge will witness the final discredit of those theories of politics and industry which are, >embjraQe<l^)by the,-word' "Socialism" iiftKe cbntentloii of Austin Hopkinson, Independent M.P. for Mossley Division otf*Lancashire Bince 1918. Außtln Hopkinijon, by. tho way, is the third son of Sijf Alfred Hopkinson. K.C., who has written two notable treatises, •'Rebuilding! Britain" and "A Survey of the Probleiin of Reconstruct tion." besides numerous articles on legal and political subjects. A copy of Austin Hopkinson's "Tho Hope of the Workers" has been forwarded "Truth" from the London publishers, Martin Hopkinson arid Co.. Ltd. Before we have said much of this volume our readers will be convinced of its sound common Hense. Mr. Hopkinson maintains, correctly, that ''if the capitalist would do his duty as a capitalist Instead of constantly blaming the workers for the present state of affairs, the fallacies of the Socialists, would have no power over the minds of our fellow countrymen." | And further: "For my part, 1 believe that Socialism would already be regarded aa dead if wo who have the powor to rule industry had done Our duty. It is the selflnh and ignorant capitalist who nlone Is responsible for the: survival of the Socialistic fallacy."