Rights of Democracy

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 6

Rights of Democracy

LUNCH CLUB HEARS ADDRESS ON COMMUNISM “What, is this Communism?" was the subject of a talk by Mr. C. G. Wat son, M.A., of Wellington, to members of the Palmerston North Citizens’ Lunch Club at their first meeting of the present year, held in the Jade tearooms yesterday. Mr. R. W. Priest was in the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. “Europe and the world in general were required to-day to face up to tho subject of Communism to determine its effect and object, tho speaker said. Communism emerged in 1848 with the beginning of tho working class or Lab our movement in Europe. Communism looked forward to a classless condition of society—an object which was noth ing new, but which had been the dream of leading thinkers. In the hands of Karl Marx tho dream had become a practical thing. The significant thing about the capitalist system—which was one of comparatively recent origin—was that in its beginning it bore a large mass of small property-owners. Since then monopoly had increased to such an extent that 50 or 60 large trusts controlled the finances of the world. Capi talism, and not Communism, had taken property away from the small man. The speaker contended that since 192 S there had been no economic crisis in the Soviet Union, and since 1931 there had been no unemployment there as a result of the main machines of production being taken over by society. This was the basis of the Communist demand for the abolition of private property—which did not mean personal property, and was used strictly in connection with means of production. There was no reason why, in the initial stages of Socialism, small property-owners and producers should not be left in possession of their plants. Communism at present would support an alliance between the working class and the middle class—‘‘the major political task of the moment." The alternative was td be found in Fascism, where monopolised capital joined with the middle class to ‘‘smash" the working class. Democratic rights must be maintained. Al. classes could co-operate in the cause of peace, on tho principle that war was caused by rival economic spheres of influence. Mr. Watson concluded his address by claiming that Communism was an important world factor and urging his listeners not to “take it second-hand.' The speaker was accorded a vote of thanks after answering a number of questions. Messrs W. J. Moore, J. Campion and M. Smith, of Palmerston North, were welcomed as visitors.