The Dominion MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1909. A SOCIALIST ON STATE SOCIALISM

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 450, 8 March 1909, Page 4

The Dominion MONDAY, MARCH 8, 1909. A SOCIALIST ON STATE SOCIALISM

The favourite argument of the State Socialist in this country is generally an assertion of the' fundamental difference between "evolutionary" and "revolutionary" Socialism. He realises how detestable and insupportable life would be in a full-blown Socialistic State; he realises too, though he is too wary to risk his position in controversy by admitting the fact, that full-blown Socialism, even though it may be conic to by slow degrees, is no more desirable than Socialism suddenly achieved. ' Since his case must fall to the ground if he admits that the difference between his Socialism and the Socialism of Mn. Iveir Hardie is only a difforcncc of degree, he constantly declares, without a fact to support his contention, and with all the facts plainly against him, that the difference is one of kind. The extreme Socialists began some time ago to bccomc reconciled to the policy of State Socialism as being, if rather slower in its movements than they like, yet an excellent stalking-horse for their purpose* They still clamour loudly for violent change, but their clamour is purely strategic: it keeps the Radicals moving, and, better still, it rcacsitrcs the simple Btftto Socialists, who complaccntlv

point to the outcries of the revolutionaries as evidence that a safe policy is being pursued. A few months ago Mr. Keiu Hakdie, who presumably should know what Socialism is, stated that he was well pleased with the progress made by New Zealand towards his ideal. That must have opened a few eyes. A few more eyes should be opened by an articlc which the Hon. J. T. Paul, M.L.C., contributes to the January number of the Socialist Review, the organ of the Independent Labour party in Great Britain. With the political opinions of Mr. Paul we have no concern just now beyond the fact that he is a Socialist. What j we want to show is the fact that as a Socialist he is well content with the State Socialists who play the revolutionaries' game the better for their belief that they think they are playing against it. "The Government," says Mn. Paul—he wrote before the general elections—"has a following of sixty-two members, and with few exceptions they hare learned the lesson that State Socialism is sane. They differ, certainly, but chiefly on the rate of progress. And so each year we see the functions of the State enlarged. Public ownership is always expanding, and likely to continue doing so." But Mr. Paul is more explicit even than this as to the progress which Socialism is making in the hands of the "Liberals." Socialism as a defined aud definite policy (lie says) has made little progress in New Zealand. In actual practice Socialism has made great strides. Each extension of State Socialism has proved beneficial and wise, henco its extension. State coal mines have steadied the selling price of coal. Wo have lately had a small coal strike. Wo have had rumours of a greater one. Each was enough, under ordinary circumstances, to increase the selling price of coal; but the State mines acted as a steadier. State fire insurance lias reduced fire insuranco premiums by 33-} per cent. State workers' dwellings are in their infancy, and havo accomplished little beyond giving a few workers clicap and comfortable homes. Stato advances to workers are likely to bo much sought after aud much appreciated. At the end of the year the Government takes over the Wellington-Manawatu railway from the privato company at a cost of the best part of a million pounds, and that is practically the last remnant of pri-vately-owned railways in the Dominion. And so I could go on enumerating the advantages of Stato extension. The ■ advantages so apparent to Mr. Paul may not be so plain to the general taxpayer, who has to meet the losses incurred by the State Fire Insurance Department; the losses arising out of maladministration of the railways of the country, and who has not yet reaped the benefits promised from the State coal mines. "In actual practice," says Mr. Paul, "Socialism has made great strides" in New Zealand. We expect that Ministers and the Ministerialist press will deny that Mr. Paul and his brother Socialists have any reason for satisfaction. But the Socialists remain satisfied, and what is more, they are so convinced of the blindness of the State Socialist that they are not afraid of alarming him by admitting to each other his value as their • agent. The reason why State Socialism has had such a long innings is not. far to seek. The policy of the late Mr. Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward has been to keep in office, and as tliey had no strong political convictions to hamper them, they have been able to carry out their purpose by sectional purchases of votes, by concessions to this class and that class in turn. The class which professes to represent the Labour interest has been constantly demanding concessions, and it is for this minority that the policy of State Socialism has been steadily pushed forward. The results are beginning to appear in the shape of economic discomforts and disorder in the country's finances. We cannot expeefc the Government and its friends to admit just yet how largely the Socialistic virus has contributed to the troubles which this rich and happilysituated young country has begun to suffer, but there will no doubt be enlightenment on this point in due course.