The Chronicle LEVIN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1916 STATE SOCIALISM.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 2 November 1916, Page 2

The Chronicle LEVIN: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1916 STATE SOCIALISM.

liie heavy increase in freight charges niacin by the big shipping companies has stirred the fanning communities throughout X-lew Zealand to ail extent that is likely to sweep away the existing prejudice against State-owned business ventu res. That, we take it, will lie the eventual outcome of the widespread dissatisfaction now being experienced by the primary producers throughout Xew Zealand. There can be said for the shipping companies, just as truthfully as for any other privately owned c rjioration. the old truism that a business concern must iix its charges to meet the existing condition.?. and that for the State to interfere with such companies is a.n " unwarrantable interference with the

irights of tlie subject." flub what are the governing facts? ils an increase of ICO per cent in the freight charges equitableP The. farming icommtini- ' tics say Xo, and dl.ubtless thev v aro co'iTcot in saying so. There is always a risk that a big corporation will be devoid of compassion when opportunities arise for making extra profits; the tendency to exact from the public the uttermost penny of profit is based upon a deep-rooted primal instinct that became*? accentuated instead: of diminished in the corporate capacity of individuals. If the State num the venture the concensus of public opinion as expressed by the Governmental control sees to it that only fair charges are made for the services rendered: the 'New Zealand Government I.ife Insurance Department. State Railways, State Coal Mine, and State Fire Insurance Department are cases in proof. The railways have no business rivals of any magnitude, and yet their charges are very low by comparison with those of older conntrie's. The other Stateowned ventures to which we have re ferred a'l have business rivals in l New Zealand, but the fact remains that al! those business rivals have bad to reduce their charge", and yet the business done is profitable. State socialism beyond a shadow of druht, will be marked by vast expansion during the next few years—chiefly as a result of the abnormjvV conditions that war has given rise to—and 110 'unbiased critic of the case can .-av truthfully that the prospect the expansion affords is not <;f a.i ameliorative character.