PROBLEM OF POVERTY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 258, 26 July 1920, Page 6

PROBLEM OF POVERTY

i'V-; » A large audience, which completely filled the hall, assembled at the Victoria University College gymnasium on Satur- . day evening on the occasion of the annual debate between the members of tha Social.Democratic Party and tha College ''Debating" Society. Mr. G. 0. Cooper, chairman of the College Debating Society, presided. Mr. P. Fraser, M.P seconded by Mr, T Bradley moved: "That only Socialism will solve the problems of poverty and of social and industrial unrest." The motion was opposed by Mr. W. A. Sheat --and Miss-A. Harle on behalf of the college'society.'""" ..,\Mr. Fraser, in the course of a vigoroub speech, stated that poverty was insepar'.Bblefrom t the. system of capitalism. All we great institutions of tho country were/the property of a few, instead of being the property of the community, iho great majority were merely common workers and the slaves of the wage system.- He laid it down that all values were social values, and denounced tb» '•..unequal distribution of wealth, which .was the cursa of tho present system, It was wrong that thousands of pounds -should .be--squandered on works of art , ? : while children were starving for want of iood.. At the present time there were two great the idle rich and £m °i? er V l6 ., w ° rl ™g masses. Art and , ; ,«ducation should 0)a available for all. • J.ho cry of-"more production" was continually heard, but side by side with this was the po.verty of tho masses. The jio inducement to prouuc tto ™X'yhen they had no share in the K™? . ea . rn « l ; ,?y, their labour. Mr. t.i^ 0 Ct,nolu n ed ?! aimin ß that only ./Socialism' would;splva the problems of the -flay. ■.'...■

-Mr. Bnndlv supporting Mr. Fraser. • etaimed had passed into i-the realms of-science, and was the last ttpression of economic development. Com.•jetibon had been ndvnaiced as a commendable thing but there was no real competition to-day. The employe© was „ the mercy of the grasping employor, ftwl trusts'and combines ruled the world. Timendoavmtr was ,to eliminate economic- waste for the profit of tho "boss," but the ideal should be to eliminate „waste for the benefit of the community. i'-J )el !? n Bnmild sllffor in wder to satisfy tho greed of the employers. The , rationalisation of industry during the war showed the advantages to bo gained from the system of Socialism, which • alone would, solve the present industrial problems. A- new spirit was showing .itself in industnal circles-tho spirit of ■'levolt against; being regarded as mere 'tools in tho industrial system. The social system must be radically changed, .not merely tampered with. Mr. Sheat, in opposing the motion, criticised Mr. Frasera arguments, stating that he was in accord with him as Ao the present state of society and industrial unrest, but ho denied that Socialism was the remedy for these evils. .-.Competition was desirable, as it made men put forth their best energies. The true wmedy was not to abolish the system,' but to reform it. Capitalism did work with all its faults, but humanitarianjegislation had accomplished much in .eradicating these faults, and (hero was no reason why it should not do more. Society no longer adored the "idle rich," but was bringing itself ■round to improve the capitalist system. Social and moral causes must be improved, and education was essential, but often well-meaning employers, intheir endeavour to improve tho status of tho worker, had found themselves regarded with, suspicion. Tho result was that tho employors became discouraged »nd Tefrained from further efforts. Miss Harie, in seconding Mr. Sheat, epened with a criticism of Mr. Eraser's "marks, stating that ho had not proved that Socialism would save the admittedly grave social problems. Sociolism was »n idealist system, and as it had never been tried it was impossiblo for. its ad. ierents to say what results it would bave. Education was the essential remedy-it had. already done much mid would continue to do more-in tho solution of social problems. Socialism was a system of dreamers and thinkers, and Miss Hnrlo stated that, in her opinion Socialism, if tried, would not last moro than a month.

After tho opening speeches had concluded, the meeting was thrown open to tho public and a spirited and interesting discussion followed. Messrs. M'Cormick and Sutherland, of the Collego Cluft, both laid it down that what was required was a religious and moral revolution, not an industrial one.' Ife'iigion, not Socialism, was tho panacea of industrial troubles. Mr, Davidson was of tho opinion that with education would .come Socialism. Capitalism compelled th"e""majofir}rj,,of' the "people to follow pursuits that' were not suited to their temperament. There should bo equal opportunities for all. and no person ehouM be oompellod circumstances to follow an occupation for which ho was temperamentally unfitted. ■Several other speakers took part in Pie discussion, and on a vore being taken, the chairman declared Hie motion lost.