COMMUNISM IN PRACTICE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2849, 21 February 1925, Page 3

COMMUNISM IN PRACTICE.

THE DO-AS-YOU-LIKES. A Frenchman who had for years shouted for the right “to live his own life,” and for the removal of “all oppressive authority” had a dream. Awaking in the morning, he descended to breakfast to find the fable hare and no sign of preparations for a meal. Striding to the ball of his house, he called for his housekeeper. “Marie! Marie.” A faint reply came from 'above, faint reply came from above. He ascended and found Marie in bed. “What is this, Marie; are you sick?” “No, sir,” responded Marie, “it is the new law. Everyone is free to live as they choose, and this morning it is the bed I prefer.” Alphonse (such was his name) slowly and clumsily prepared his breakfast. In llu: street lie inquired for a newspaper. “There may be a newspaper soon,” said the girl in the kiosk, “but the prospect lacks definiteness.” In the station, Alphonse waited for bis usual train until long past the hour, when three trains came in together, a lengthy range of coaches. “Where goes this train?” asked Alphonse, of the nearest conductor. “Sir, I know not. Tt is not. yet decided by anyone. There may be no water, no coal, no steam, and hence no progress. It is as the good God wills.” “The world is mad this day,” exclaimed Alphonse. Returning to the street be was seized by a big ruffian, who, holding him with one hand, searched his pockets and stole his money with the other. Alphonse called a gendarme, who came running, chased the ruffian and demanded one-half of the spoils. “With all the pleasure in life,” said the ruffian. “There is plenty more for a big man.” Alphonse, dismayed, went in the direction of the Prefecture of Police. On his way a gaily-dressed young woman poked him in the third button of bis waistcoat with the end of her sunshade.

“Come, sir,” said she, “and get mo a now hat.” . “T have been robbed and have no money: also for what reason should 1 make you a present?” said poor Alphonse. “You arc my affianced,” said the girl. I wish it so, and as for money, none is necessary. Come to Madame Elsie’s. Come. It is true she may have men! in her window to-day, or Kuchard chocolate, or what else she fancies, but let us hope there may fie hats. You will lake the one f choose.” As Alphonse turned to escape, lie -aw a v.miaii jilacc a. crying baby ill Ihe arms of ilie girl, and heard ihe man .-.ay: “lake this home with you. T have no use for it, and milk is scarce.” Reaching his house, Alphonse found every room oceupd, at l> si a dozen persons in each room. “Whci is all this?” he shouted. One answered: “You know not your Marx. It is even as he said : ‘To each according to his need; from each according to his ability.’” **.\b!” exclaimed Alphonse, “Now f know everything.” From a eupboard in bis bedroom he withdrew a magazine ride, loaded it, and faced those nearest to him. “To each according to his need—you need a bullet. From each according to bis ability, mine the ability to fire them” and lie pulled the trigger. But be pulled in vain. Tbe rifle seemed rnslcd or defective and, pulling heavily h< awoke to find himself in bed with one linger hooked round the bedrail. TTe talks of his “individual freedom.” It is recorded that at least four hundred colonies of live-as-yoii-please Socialists have been founded in America and few have long survived. The do-as-vou-please Socialist is nothing but a naughty little boy who wants his own way and when be has persuaded other naughty Imvs to join him, lie finds their way is not his (as each one does in relation to others) and fight or failure follows. See it on a large scale. “The failure of the Bolshevik experiments lias been crushing,” says Mi- -J. M. Keyners. In the Cotswold Hills of England is a colony of Do-as-you-likes. There arc no laws there. Everyone is his own law. There is “ITco marriage,” and “perfect equality.” As “outsiders” insist upon cash for necessaries supplied the “no money” regulation has lapsed, and the Do-as-you-likes (there are seventy of them) manufacture articles All tlie men are “Uncle,” and all Iho women “Aunt” to the few children at present amongst them. There are no locks, bolts, or bars and all homes are open to all colonists. There is a baker who makes bread when (like Mrs Gamp) he feels “dispoged.” The children are being “educated” on “orthodox lines,” and to provide books etc., there is a weekly “free” collection. The fact that each Do-as-you-like has to maintain himself by bis own labour is the best feature in the whole scheme, for it has eliminated laziness and spongers and makes for physical and mental health. Probably as the “colonists” work off their fads and crankiness, they will return one by one to normal life. At present they cannot see that an inclosed community beyond the “law” and social responsibilities is a crystallised selfishness, and its practice an admission of weakness just as monastic life is an admission of unwillingness to face the world and its dangers and temptations.

Public opinion is a power, mostly a power for good, and to evade it does not encourage strength of character. The best form of human government is a beneficent tryanny and the greatest human achievements have resulted therefrom.