Notable Views by Russell Wallace

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 16, 23 June 1911, Page 7

Notable Views by Russell Wallace

SAITH THE SPEAKER.

IS THE WORLD IMPROVING ?

It was suggested to Dr. Wa laco (who attained hi=~ BSt.li birthday recently) that tho world is a better place to live m to-day than it -was fifty years ago. "No," he replied : "I should say for tho very poorest it is a worse placo. Tho wonderful discoveries of science and their application to industry, with the corresponding increase of wealth, havo not lessened tho increase in pov erty, which is absolutely and, I believe, relatively enormously greater than it was fifty years ago. It is very difficult to say whether there is any real improvement. I think tho majority of people in my youth .

WERE JUST AS WELL OFF and enjoyed their lives just as much as people do to-day. Of course, there was not the same interest in science and art, and in that direction the outlook is encouraging, but the foundation of all, the providing that every English man, woman and child shall have a chance of a decent livelihood, is still to seek. The present Government —which I have never seen approached—has, I rejoice to say, for tho first time in the history of Governments, recognised it is the duty of a Government TO ABOLISH STARVATION, and that is the most hopeful thing I see. When we get one man one vote, and ono woman one vote, we shall get more Labour men and Socialists into Parliament, and may then go ahead more quickly." "You think Socialism is making progress ?" "Immense. Everything else has failed so utterly. The present system of competition for individual wealth prevents civilisation. You cannot bo said to possess civilisation when your people are WITHOUT FOOD, CLOTHING AND WARMTH. To give old folk five shillings a week to prevent them fom starving is a demonstration of our degradation, in my judgment. Still, it is a beginning, and lam most grateful for the smallest beginnings."