Socialism.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 143, 16 December 1895, Page 2

Socialism.

LECTURE BY REV. G. WILKS. On Saturday evening last the Rev. G. Wilks delivered a lecture on " Socialism Singlo Tax, and the late Hon. J. Ballanoe's policy," in the Cheltenham hall in aid of the school funds. There were about 50 persons present, including several ladies, and Mr Mills presided. Mr Wilks referred to tbe difficulty experienced in New Zealand by some people in their endeavors to secure a livelihood, attributing this to the socialistic tendency of the Government. There were two forms of socialism — practical and theoretical. They had practical socialism in public gardens aud the post office, which was started originally as a private enterprise. Theoretical socialism would interfere with trade and he compared tbe system of work beins* done by day labor and contract, instancing a case iv London where it cost the Londou Corporation LIOOO more to get a bridge built by day labor than it would have cost by contract. Mr Wilks quoted from Dra Arnold and Webster to show what was meant by socialism. A socialist leader in Germany had advocated expropriation of all property and, also, wished to do away with family life. The Minister for Labor, the Hon. W. P. Reeves, declared himself, while in Australia to be an out and oufc Socialist, and in the House he said he was a Fabian Socialist. Recently this socialist had, with a brother-in-law, leased an estate, the other side of New Plymouth, which contained a purchasing clause. Referring to the National Land policy of Mr Ballance he contended that the Village Homestead system had been a failure both in New Zealand and Australia. He quoted from Mr Ballance's pamphlet to show that that gentleman contradicted himself. He (Mr Wilks) was of opinion that Henry George's book " Progress and Poverty," was the most shallow book ever written and that Mr Ballance swallowed everything that was in it. Henry George's statement that wages were paid for the value labor produced was a fallacy, for s, laborer would not wait for payment for his labor until hay was turned into beef. He had to be paid at once for his work. From evidences he concluded that the freehold tenure of land was in danger and that it was moving towards a vanishing point unless a different set of men were returned to Parliament. They would find a large body of men in the country working for a larger body in the towns if Mr Ballance's policy were carried out. In Ireland and Scotland they were fighting for a security of tenure, and yet by means of the Fair Rent Bill introduced by the Government a tenant could not get a lease for more than one year. One of the, blots on Sir H. Atkinson's political career was ths.the allowed a Fair Rent Bill to become law, and by this measure he (Mr Wilks) knew of one tenant who was enabled to get his rent reduced from 10s an acre and immediately sublet it for 12s. If the last Bill introduced became law there would be no contracts, as, if a man can break a contract for land he can for all other matters, and Captain Russell justly protested against the Fair Rent Bill being introduced into the House at the end of the session, which, if passed, would bring ruin to the country. In the aggregate there was no such thing as unearned increment in New Zealand, and he was prepared to discuss this question with Sir R. Stout and Mr O'Regan. The colonial funds did not make this district what it is — it was the settlers themselves, by means of the Loans to Local Bodies Act. In the towns there is an increment, and why did the Government not seize it. The towns lived on the country. E very man's house was his castle until the passing of the Lands for Settlement Bill, which enables the Minister of Lands to take any man's property. With existing laws he could not advise anyone to come to New Zealand, nor did they come ; they went to Matabeleland, where they could obtain freehold. They were getting a smaller population here, with larger debts. A great many people would come if it were not for the class oi : legislators who were in power. He condemned the pamphlet " How to introduce a ground rent," by Mr Withy, who claimed that the land should pay all rates, and be combatted the statement tbat there had been any surplus since 1891, although the Government bad shown them on paper. He wanted to get at tbe working man to show him that labour and capital were one and not two, the latter being crystalised labor. In reply to several questions by Mr W. Sanderson, Mr Wilks said that the private debt of New Zealand was between thirty and forty millions. Doubtless it was this that was assisting to cripple the working man, but if the Government assisted by reducing the Customs duties and assisting the frozen meat and other industries considerable relief would be experienced. Tbe strikes had done a lot of harm, and were doing harm now in England, from whence they were driving manufacturing to China and Japan. He believed in an elective executive. There were men who feathered their own nests, and Mr Seddon was one. He did not approve of large estates, but would not seize them. He would allow natural laws to do their work. In reply to Mr J. Bruce, Mr Wilks said that if this district could find a gentleman who was well read and with sufficient; endurance who would not be afraid to speak, he would not come forward, but if not he was willing to stand. He could not afford to contest the seat out of his own means, bnt wonld require one hundred settlers to come forward and guarantee £1 each to pay his expenses. On these conditions he would stand. He would go as an independent member, and there would be no loaves and fishes for him. He was disappointed with Mr Seddon and wonld not snpport him now. In reply to Mr Niccolls, Mr Wilks could not advise anyone as to the best means of taking up land under the pressent laws. In reply to Mr J. Cunningham, Mr Wilks said he held Government responsible for so many unemployed on account of their Socialistic legislation. Mr Mills moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Wilks, on behalf the school committee, for his lecture. This was carried by acclamation. The usual compliment to the Chairman closed the meeting.