SYNDICALISM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1024, 16 November 1912, Page 4

SYNDICALISM.

In the North American Review Mr Louis Levine describes the genesis aud growth of Syndicalism. It is, he says, a synthesis of Socialism aud Trade Unionism. The electoral success of Socialism iu France, in Germany, aud in other countries led to the invasion of the Socialist parties by members of the middle classes, representatives ol the liberal professions, who swamped the .Socialist workingmen in all positions of authority and responsibility. The invading intellectuals introduced into the social movement the ideas of slow evolutionary changes, and ol peaceful and diplomatic negotiations with capitalist parties.

DISTRUST OE PARLIAMENTARY SOCIALISM.

To the militant Socialist work-ing-man, the success of political Socialism became in his opinion dangerous to the real success of the social revolution. He suspected the environment of Parliament, its methods and political trickery, and felt in his heart a growing antagonism to the form of action which led Socialists into the stifling embrace of capitalist Parliamentary institutions Hxamiug more closly the nature of the trade union in which he had always played some part, the militant Socialist working-man was struck by the idea that it offered the form of organisation he was so eagerly looking for and that it was capable of carrying on the social movement in which he placed his hopes. He therefore now changed his former altitude to the trade union ; instead of merely suffering it, he now began actively to support it and to shape it in accordance with his views and aspirations. “direct action,” So was developed the whole theory of Syndicalism ; Direct action—which the Syndicalists so much insist upon—con-

sists in exerting energetic pressure aud coercion on the employers and the State iu such a manner as to rally ill the workers around one banner in direct opposition to existing institutions. Nation-wide strikes, vehement agitation, public demonstration aud like procedures, which arouse passions and shake up the mass of the working-men, are in the view of the Syndicalists the only methods which can make the working-men clearly perceive the evils and contradictions of present day society and which lead to material successes. Such methods alone drive home to the working-men the truth that the emancipations of the workers must and can be the work of the workers themselves, and free the latter from the illusion that anybody else—even their representatives in Parliament —can do the job for them. THE GENERAL STRIKE.

The direct struggles of the Syudicats —argue they increasing in scope and importance, must finally lead to a decisive collision in which the two antagonistic classes—the working class aud the employeis—will be brought face to face. How that decisive struggle will be begun canuot be foretold. But it most probably will have its origin in a strike which, spreadiug Irom industry to industry and from locality to locality, will involve the whole country and affect the entire nation. This will be the General Strike, In which the issue will not be au increase of wages or any other minor matter, but the paramount social issue; who shall henceforth control industry aud direct the economic activities of the nation ? THE AIM OE C.OMMON OWNERSHIP. The Syndicalists will not wait for Parliament to decide that question, but will take matters into their own hands. When the “final hour of emancipation” strikes, the militant working-men organised iu the Syudicats will step iu and assume control of all means of production, transportation and exchange. They will proclaim the common ownership of all means of production, and will start production under the direction ot the Syudicats. Every Syudicat will have the use of the means of production necessary for carrying on its work. All Syudicats of a locality will be organised in local federations which will have charge of all local industrial matters. These local Federations ot Labour will collect all statistics pertaining to local production aud consumption, will provide the raw material aud vvill act as intermediaries between a locality aud the lestof the country. All Syudicats of the country in any one industry will be organised in a National Industrial Federation having charge of the special interests of the industry, while local federations aud industrial federations will be organised in one great National Federation of Labour, which will take care of matters national in scope and importance . *.