A Catastrophic Conception.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 20, 21 July 1911, Page 5

A Catastrophic Conception.

By HON. J. T. PAUL, M.L.C.

To comply with the editor's conditions leaves much unsaid- ''Dogmatist" always helps, .even when ono disagrees with, his promise or conclusion.. His article is very valuable; the sort of work Socialist literature and thought must concern itself with in tho near future. "Is the Social Revolution practicable in our time?" Nearly everything 'den ends on interpretations. The Social Revolution, as '•Dogmatist" and the revolutionary school of Socialism interprets it, is not practicable in our time. Says "Dogmatist" : " the revolution may come upon us either .as the result of a commercial crisis, financial panic, lock-out, strike, a war against war uprising, the capture of Parliament, or by a deliberate act or tho industrialists without any of these things." That in part supposes a catastrophic change. I think history, and modern Socialist history in particular, shows such ia contingency to be extremely improbable* and certainly impracticable. "Dogmatist" and i approach this question from different standpoints. We internet certain lines of progress as of more or less importance to the workers. We see a different course of progress for the future, though v/e agree that the tendencies of the time point to collective ownership and control as the only ultimate alternative to an unexampled exploration ot 'the people. ~,,,,- t -c T disagree with "Dogmatist's" idea of ,a Social Revolution in our time, but 1 'believe the olianges we shall see win eclipse anything in previous history. To attempt to .define our objective m words limits our (outlook. For instance, the Socialist objective ia supposed to be wholly compassed m the socialisation of the means of »«> du °: tion, distribution, and exchange. 1* society does in the future that which is most likely—carry on the world s work for the benefit of the whole people some popular Socialist conceptions will undergo radical in the above connection. Some ot tne "means of production" will be held toi individual ,and semi-social uses. J-iie future might easily show that a combination of co-operative industry on voluntary lines, working m harmony with the collective will, to be the best for society. This seems clear enough, 'however; the drones will go, and the men and women who do the wo,rk will reap the rewards. . "Dogmatist" places too much importance on the future of revolutionary syndicalism or industrial unionism. Socialism has made wonderful progress as he has so eloquently described- Its success has so far .resulted, largely because of its des£riictive propaganda, which was so necessary to meet the spirit and necessities of the time. But it is easier to destroy than to build. Socialism is now being asked to build, and to apply its principles to practical affairs; as at Milwaukee, for instance. On its parliamentary iside Socialism has ceased to be Ishrnjaelite in that its hand is against every man; it is making ready to build. Socialist thought and action has been revolutionised. It has been (subject to nadical changes as has society itself. Tbe same will happen in the future. It is most improbable that the Revolution in tho sense "Dogmatist" speaks may come upon us "by a deliberate act of the industrialists." That is the catastrophic conception which history falsifies : it was the almost universal Socialist opinion in its infantile hours. My study leads mc to the conclusion that the catastrophic idea is losing ground. Is the Social Revolution near? Is it practicable in our time ? The most jpalpable evils will disappear first—are, ,in fact, disappearing. In the present 'temper of the people they cannot live. That temper will grow. By tho application of collective principles betteriment will result. Each success makes 'others possible. They will multiply I fast. The future is fuller of promise than has any future over been. We shall see tremendous strides towards botterment. The millions wasted on the arts of war will be diverted, thanks mostly to the growing influence of Labour and Socialism, to the arts of peace and the interests of the masses. And so if I cannot fix the date of the Social Revolution, or wholly agree with "Dogmatist," I can see with William Morris — ''The wonderful days a-coming when all shall be better than well."