THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1918. CIVILIZATION AND WEALTH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11752, 5 February 1918, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1918. CIVILIZATION AND WEALTH.

111 a recent issue of this paper if was asserted that Capital and Labour were dependent- upon each olher. and that the sooner the relationships between the two were recognised, the hotter would it he for civilization. History has taught us that accumulations of wealth are essential to the development of natural resources and to the progress of science and art. Without, wealth we should have no Univorsities, no "research laboratories, no experimental plots, no hospitals and nanatoria for the relief of suffering, no amusement, in any shape or form. Wealth may be said to represent, in sum and (substance, the basis of civilization. In Central Africa, Arabia, and other barren countries where there is no wealth, civilization lias made no progress. But what are the essential to the production of wealth? First of all, we must possess the climate, and thou the soil. Europe has both climate and soil, varying according to latitude, consequently- if has the two elements necessary for the creation of wealth. Asia and portions of Africa and America possess only one of the essentials, therefore they are at a disadvantage. New Zealand has iboth climate and* soil, and is one of the wealthiest parts of the British Empire. Australia and the Pacific Islands are less favoured, for, while they have a productive soil •their climate is variable. Tt is a most remarkable, hut nevertheless established fact, that climate has a very considerable boa ring upon the social problem and .the distribution of wealth. In India, China, and other Asiatic countries tho population is enormous. This is because there is a limitless supply of oxygon food, such as rice, dates, etc., which requires practically no labour to produce, and the cost of living becomes proportionately low. The greater portion of the population of northern Europe subsists upon carbonaceous foods, such as meat and fish, which are liable to fluctuation, and are difficult to procure. Consequently the cost of living has been higher, and the increase in population correspondingly smaller. The history of all countries has shown that the greater and more congested tho population, the lower the prevailing rate of wages, the more acute the poverty, and the wider the gap between tho classes a.nd tho masses. This is largely the result of conditions created' by nature. But tho most subtle writers on historical and national philosophy toll u* tliat the knowledge created of wealth, and Sustained by wealth, may bo utilised in assisting Nature ly provide for a more equal distribution of flu; fruits of the earth. Wealth, in short, means improved education. Improved education implies greater iiulej>endenco of character and better appreciation of the responsibilities of citizenship. Tho present stupendous war is bringing home to us, with the greatest possiblo emphasis, the dependence of Capital- upon Labour, ind of Labour upon Capital. Some thoughtless people have expressed 11 ic opinion that the war is being fought in tho interest of Imperialism and Capitation. There is 010 warranty whatever for such a conclusion. When the roa,r of cannon has ceased, when the sword is sheathed, and when a democratic peace has been declared, it will bo found that the conditions of labour in all parts of tho world have immeasurably improved. This will not be tho result of strikes, revolutions, or anti-dynastic movement*. It will be due to the. fact that: the wealth of the world, instead of being devoted to unproductive works such as armaments, will be employed in 'repairing the industrial wreckage, in developing the latest mineral and other resources, in providing for scientific research, in ameliorating the conditions of the masses, and in elevating and uplifting humanity in general. Tf these objects shall be nttaiiiod. I hen tho immense sacrifice will not have been made in vain.