THE WELFARE CREED

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14584, 5 February 1921, Page 3

THE WELFARE CREED

HUMANISM RATHER THAN SOCIALISM.

EVOLUTIONARY. NOT REVOLUTIONISM.

(Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare League.)

From information received by us from organisations in England we learn that a widespread welfare movement is aelively at work there carrying on a campaign of social and economic education. Dr Arthur Shadwell, after a loin- of the industrial areas tells the people of our Empire thai "though the headquarters of (he communistic movement is in London, the chief stronghold is on the Clyde, where there is explosive material of a prodigous circulation of literature." This is as we would exited. The Scot dearly loves a wordy war and in everything he takes up he is thorough. However, there is a counter propaganda going on that will make its due impression. An organisation named "The National Propaganda" is most actively engaged all over the United Kingdom In supplying articles regularly to the press, circulating leaflets, pamphlets, books, posters and using other means of education, including cinema exhibitions, regular series of lectures, open-air meetings, classes on economics, history and various aspects of social science. The Association's bulletin, from which we Quote, tells us lhat "a regular scries .of articles is being supplied to the newspapers, largely read by the manual wage earners, and between .'JO and id, newspapers in the Clyde are publishing the 'copy' thus supplied." Again, "336 meetings have been held in the Clyde area and in Dundee." This is but I sample of the work being done throughout Great Britain, for instance in the Midland districts of England the meetings held during the quarter were 1317. This propaganda has the help of many able speakers, including trades unionists, and the meetings are well attended. To read the lists of subjects dealt with is just as if we were conning the press list of the N.Z. Welfare League; the subjects are alliwhat may be termed "live topics." An interesting feature of this national propaganda is that we find the constitution of the organisation is aliuosl identical wilh thai of our League in New /.calami, We know there had been no correspondence between the promoters in Britain and New Zealand, anil yet we find the same welfare movement springing- up simultaneously in both countries. It is a striking evidence that though we are widely separated geographically we are very closely knit together in spirit with our brothers and sisters of the Mother Country. Their problems are our problems, their thought and ideals are our own, and the very soul of the two countries shows as one. The strength of the movement in Great Britain, as here, is that it is non-party, is for the nation and community rather thai class fguscction, and is free and independewin its search- for truth and afllrmSiions of rigid. Welfare Foundations. During Hie war a great work was done in Hie w.i> of human amelior.i lion, revision- of previously exisliir: conditions and the broadening of In.man sympathies and undeislandinu. Smongsl lit-? thousands of munition workers in Hie Rod Cross work of merry, in imncnients of conference and genuine co operation the welfare spirit found very active expression. We in,i\ be thankful that carm si men and women hand the lesson of Ibis al educalk.i. and have resolved thai the spirit of service thai actuated our people shall not mil be allowed In die. The Hr.-i principle of the Welfare movement, then, is acceptances of the call for service. It is not a movement, of conscripts hut of those who give their service freely and gladly because they have learnt the inner meaning of the sentiment that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." The whole welfare structure rests upon the affirmation of the three principles:— (a) The law of human partnership; ib; the essential value of service; [c] the recognition thai all of value is the outcome of productive effort •

Applying these principles as tests lo our present day economic situation all will realise the need for them if only by way of tempering the sectional impulses of selfishness that are met with on all sides. Of both capitalist and workers we may say wilh justice thai both a'v far too intent upon what they will receive, and far from suflich ntly concerned as to what service (hoy will give. If we were seeking to give their best service we should then be free from the burden of the idle rich and idle poor. The essential value of free service, which after all is but living Christianity, is the principle lhat binds all together. In ils exercise we will learn that humanity is something higher than groups, classes, parlies and seels, and instead of looking for enrichment from some fortunate bag. filled we know not how Or care not, we would recognise definitely that all our energies uf body and mind should he concentrated on the fullest production and wisest distribution. The foundation of the Welfare movement is in recognising that the needs of men, women and children are to be met not in weaving theories of fixed rules for application to mutable conditions, but by concentration on the duty of honest service in the spirit of broadmitided humanity holding to the motto "Labor Omnia Yincit." Humanism Versus Socialism.

Socialism is a great movement. Great because of the numbers who espouse it. Great in its sentiment, its inspiration and its illusions. II is greatest of all, however, as a failure because in theory and practice il builds upon a misunderstanding of the real nature of man. The Welfare movcmeni dors not enter Hie lists lo fight Socialism wilh a negation. In Australia Sir Cieorge Rcirl led an anti-Su-eialisl campaign which failed because il was little else than "anli." The people turned lo the Labour Parly because il gave llirm hope. Instinctively we all realise thai "without hope' the people perish." Politicians, at limes, knowing lhat fact, build inount, ins of hope from Hie clouds of illusion which in lime are swept away by Hie winds of critical dissension. Sor'alism is lh" cloud thai |o-day looms over all nations. Seen from some, points il is bright and shining, but from others merely dark and ominous. As a creed of professed human propress il is theoretic, rigid an I largely materialistic. Resting mi Hie arithmetical conception that because two is more than one thai therefore the collective body should ever have precedence of the individual il loses sight of the ((iialitalive character of man. In il-; application to the practical affairs nf life il h nds always in the direclion of communism of grinds, Generalisation of standards of life, the centralisation of authority and the necessary subjection nf the family and Ihc individual. Scientists of the I filh and anil, century learll thai the law of evolutionary progression is the natural manifestation of developmenl from Hie general lo the particular. II is I! al law v lift*li Ho- huiiianisl move nienl for rational welfare and progress candidly recognises. The movement is

evolutionary in its objects, seeking steady constructive change, because it realises the immense value of individuality, not merely to the individual ; but tn tlic race. Socialism is by force ! revolutionary and seeks change from the exercise of power, whether it be I that of the mob or an enthused minority, as its impulse is from an ideal rather than the result of practical tests of experience. The revisionist policy is not because it is "anti." Th s t movement is affirmative in itself. It i rests upon the real nature of mankind I and the law of human development. | As a creed it inspires to hopefulness |of the rational order, lis work is for i the construction of a higher social j order by inspiring to the most active I service along the line of enriching-in-dividuality. It places neither the individual nor the collective whole as pods over its intellect, but teaches the rational doctrine that man's welfare as an individual is In be found in his I faithful service to all whilst the general welfare is best secured by the protection of the individual. While the masses are being excited ' by the Socialist agitators to "demand, demand, demand." the Welfare movement calls for sanity and points to the ! gratitle action of good work, well done. Along the line of constructive enterprise" and no other, is there real satisfaction for die individual, the nation and humanity. That is the Welfare j creed.