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Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1924, Page 2

No one nowadays would contend that cur social system is perfect; its injustices and anomalies are manifest. And so there is always the search for Utopia. The doctrine that “All’s for tiro best in the best of all possible worlds” no longer finds favour; liv general rdmission there is ample room for improvement. Whore opinions differ is in regard to the form that the change should take, and the rate at which it should be effected. Clearly it would be foolish to destroy the present order unless one had something less unsatisfactory to substitute for it. Meanwhile the theorists debate and dispute, each proclaiming the virtues of his own particular nostram. In a recent work published by the Workers Press, “From Capitalism to Freedom,” Mr H. W. Parkinson first shows how grievously the times are out- of joint, and then proceeds to put forward a remedy. State socialism he rejects as involving the establishment of a servile state. Its one redeeming feature would be thflt the proletariat would have security

of employment. Syndicalism, Mr Par. kinson rejects as emphatically. His specific is guild socialism. Its introduction would mean a revolution, for every subversion of the existing order is a revolution. But it would not he of the French or Russian type. The author does not think that violence is necesarily unjustifiable. But there is no need for it where the proletarian has the franchise. The guild socialist can achieve his goal the moment he persuades a majority of his follows to share his views, and if the merits of guild socialism are so signal as Mr Parkinson declares them to he this should Ik l quite a simple matter. He stresses the importance of arriving at a true conception of what really constitutes a worker; ‘This, once realised, will destroy the existing—and most mischievous—harrier between ‘'Labour’ and -Middle Class’, whose interests are in leality almost identical.” Under the regime of guild socialism, we are told, the ex-capitalists will be treated in quite a humane fashion. Though ox-pro-print od they will ho pensioned, the pensions to last for two generations, for “it must never be forgotten that capitalists are more creatures of ciicumstances, mid not criminals.” They will be grateful for the assurance.

It is popular with a, certain section to ; >t,use capital. Yet it is capital which keeps the uheels of industry in motion. The laborer is nowadays ever seeking higher pay—which has to come out of capital. The laborer does not propose to produce more, or accomplish moie work. 'Rather does he wish to see his hours curtailed, thereby limiting his opportunity of production or of perlorm. ing work which in itself is reproductive iii value for the service performed. The curtailment of hours and the increase in wages, squeezes values up. and so adds to the cost ot production. This prevents money going.as tar as it should, and makes a bigger drain on capital, which can he used less end loss in providing wider avenues for work'. The amount of capital is limited and the more that goes out in wages to the individual reduces the scone of its use. In other words, less men are employed. There will 1"- fewer employed and more unemployed. The raiding of capital by way of shorter hours and higher wages is not good for the masses, many of whom, the less competent, the aged, will he pushed out, and instead of being a help to the State, become a burden. Capital should bo encouraged to circulate as freely as possible, by providing ways for the more lucrative- use of money. But the policy in some quarters is to seek to raid capital mi the purpose, not of production, but to gratil’v false ideas of economics. Money as money is of little value for woild prosperity. It is the judicious use of money in promoting works and undertakings, which bring in progress and prosperity, iuul siflonl inoro avenues I'm- work. The true use for capital is in the direction of production, and a policy of confiscation or a waste of money by extortionate demands without adequate returns, opens the way to wrecking the fortunes of the country. Sane r.nd. reasonable action applies as much, if nor more to labor and production as any other organised effort to ] remote the weliaie ol a well-ordered community.

Thk Westland Racing Club was treated doubly unkindly by the fates ill respect to its recent autumn meeting this week. First '•nine the news of the suddenly enforced railway strike, and then the period of exceedingly fine weather broke, and a veritable deluge followed. The postponement was inevitable, but the weather fared agreeably lor 1 liursdav, when everything was got off ill good time. The attendance under the circumstances was sutprisingly good. A.s a matter of fact the. gate reeei; Is were close up to those of a year ago, when normal conditions i revailed. The heavy state of the track tended to ieslriet. hotting, but the drop was not unduly large iu view of the untoward circumstances. The meeting was vel conducted from every point of view. The loss of a horse in the hurdle race was regrettable, the mishap being due to Straysliot breaking down before the mare crashed into the second hurdle. \ lkitors praised the general appointments and the conduct of the meeting. Strict punctuality was observed, and the public enjoyed the good spoil l rovided. The handicapping wrapped up the winners very cleverly, and the starting left nothing to ho desired. Everything went so well as to suggest that if the race meeting had been held under the usual tegular conditions with good weather and the train service in operation. the Club would have enjoyed a financial success. As it is a deficit will have to be faced, but time and administration will make that good, and in the meantime the general success of the meeting ill other respects will have added to the prestige of the Club and enhanced its standing ns a popular sporting body doing its best for owners and public under very adverso circumstances. Many remarks were passed on the course by the general excellence of the appointments, and particularly in regard to the state of the racing tracks, which despite the excessive rainfall of the previous six hoars wore in wonderfully good order, and stood up to the requirements of the day most admirably, thus adding to file general success of the day’s sport.

Yesterday the Day of Remembrance was observed with marked solemnity. Anzae Day, ns the 25tli. April has now been titled is a very special day to New Zealand. The war claimed a great toll of the Dominion’s fighting men, and Anzac Day lias come to be regarded as a day of remembrance for all who fell. There was a good parade of ex-soldiers, and the miltary muster was creditable, while the band was present in force. The church services we:e well attended, and the public attendance at the Cenotaph was very numerous. Many wreaths were deposited in affectionate remembrance. The speeches and remraks generally were very appropriate to the occasion. The day was very closely observed for the purpose intended. The three war memorials were visited by the parade and the Returned Soldiers deposited wreaths at each, military honors to the fallen being given also. Tn the afternoon the ex-soldiers reassembled and marched to the cemetery where wreaths were deposited on the graves of fallen comrades, nurses and war workers. The following soldiers’ graves were visited : —Hatch, Halligan, Atkins, Winchester,. St. George and Glass; also a wreath was laid on the memorial stone recording the death of Colonel Spence (South Africa) who had been drill instructor here for many years. Additional wreaths were deposited on the graves of Matron Little, Nurses Dixon and Davies, Mesdames Evans and Connors of the Liverpool Committee. During the afternoon a large number visited the cemetery, where many floral tributes were laid on the graves. It is well to keep in mind the deeds done in the past, deeds which have made the traditions of the race what they are, and which give us the liltorty and freedom whiea may Ire enjoyed in all reason, all round the Empire.