COMMUNISM IN PRACTICE

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 65781, 28 February 1925, Page 6

COMMUNISM IN PRACTICE

THE DO-AS-YOU-LIKES A Frenchman who had for years shouted for the right ‘to live his own life,” and for the removal of “all oppressive authority” had a dream. Awaking in the morning, he descended to breakfast to find the table bare and no sign of preparations for a meal. Striding to the hall of the house, he called for his housekeeper. “Marie! Marie.” A faint reply came from above. He ascended and found Marie in bed. “What is this, Marie, are you sick?” “No sir,” responded Marie, “it is the new law. Everyone is free to live as they choose, and this morning it is the bed I prefer.” Alphonse (such was his name) slowly and clumsily prepared his breakfast. In the street he inquired for a newspaper. “There may be a newspaper soon,” said the girl in the kiosk, “but the prospect lacks definiteness.”

In the station, Alphonse waited for his usual train until long past the hour, when three trains came in together, a lengthy range of coaches. “Where goes this train,” asked Alphonse of the nearest conductor. “Sir, I know not. It is not yet decided by anyone. There may be no water, no coal, no steam, and hence no progress. It is as the good God wills.” “This world is mad this day,” exclaimed Alphonse. Returning to the street he was seized by a big ruffian, who, holding him with one hand, searched his pockets and stole his money with the other. Alphonse called a gendarme, who came running chased the ruffian and demanded onehalf of the spoils. “With all the pleasure in life,” said the ruffian. “There is plenty more for a big man” Alphonse, dismayed, went in the direction of the Prefecture of Police. On his way a gaily-dressed foung woman poked him in the third button of his waistcoat with the ned of her sunshade.

' “Come, sir,” said she, “and get me a new hat.” “I have been robbed and have no money; also for what reason should I make you a present?” said poor Alphonse.

“You are my affiance,” said the girl. I wish it so, and as for money, none is necessary. - Come to Madame Elsie’s. • Come. It is true she may have meat in her window today, or Suchard chocolate, or what else she fancies, but let us hope there may be hats. You will take the one I choose.”

As Alphonse turned to escape he saw a woman place a crying baby in the arms of the girl, and heard the woman say: “Take this home with you, I have no use for it, and milk is scarce.” Reaching his house, Alphonse found every room occupied by at least a dozen persons in each room. “What is all this?” he shouted. One answered: “You know not your Marx. It is even as he said: “To each according to his need; from each according to his ability.” “Ah!” exclaimed Alphonse, “Now I know everythink.” From a cupboard in his bedroom he withdrew a magazine rifle, loaded it, and faced those nearest to him. “To each according to his need —you need a bullet. From each according to his ability, mine the ability to fire them,” and he pulled the trigger. But he pulled in vain. The rifle seemed rusted or defective, and pulling heavily he awoke to find himself in bed with one finger hooked round the bedrail. He talks of his individual freedom.” It is recorded that at least four hundred colonies of live-as-you-plcase Socialists have been founded in America and few have long survived. The do-as-you-please Socialist is nothing but a naughty little boy who wants his own way and when he has persuaded other naughty boys to join him, he finds their way is not his (as each one does in relation to others) and fight or failure follows. See it on a large scale. ‘The failure of the Bolshevik experiments has been crushing,” says Mr J. M. Keyners. In the Cotswold Hills of England is a colony of Do-as-you-likes. There are no laws there. Everyone is his own law. There is “free marriage,” and ‘perfect equality.” As “outsiders” insist upon cash for necessaries supplied, the “no money” regulation has lapsed, and the Do-as-you-likes (there are seventy of them) manufacture articles for sale. All the men are “Uncle,” and all the women are “Aunt” to the few chidren at present amongst them . There are no locks, bolts or bars and all homes are open to all colonists. There is a baker who makes bread when (like Mrs Gamp) he feels “disposed.” The children are being “educated” on “orthodox” I lines, and to provide books, etc., 1

there is a weekly “free” collection. The fact that each Do-as-you-like has to maintain himself by his own labour is the best feature in the whole scheme, for it has elminiated laziness and spongers and makes for physical and mental health. Probably as the “colonists” work off their fads and crankiness, they Will return one by one to normal life. At present they cannot see that an inclosed community beyond the “law” and social responsibilities is a chrystallised selfishness, and its practice an admission of weakness just as monastic life is an admission of unwillingness to face the world and its dangers and temptations.

Public opinion is a power, mostly a power for good, and to evade it does not encourage strength of character. The best form of human government in a beneficent tryanny and the greatest human achievements have resulted therefrom.