Social Revolution: Is it Near?

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 23, 11 August 1911, Page 5

Social Revolution: Is it Near?

Hy. Quelch, Editor London "Justice," Describes the Situation in EngSand.

A SYMPOSIUM.

Comrade, —I have read the article in "The Maoriland Worker" on this subject, with interest. I agree with much of it, and certainty with the conclusion of the writer "that it is time our thoughts turned seriously to questions of the revolution—and the morrow of it.." I think, however, that it is still more important that, in considering questions of the revolution, those regarding the "eve" rather than the "morrow" of it should have first place. That, in a phrase, is my answer to your request for my own opinion "as to whether the social revolution is practicable in our time." I have no doubt whatever that the revolution is practicable in oiir time. Whether we shall realise it in our time is quite another matter. As it appears to mc, the economic development is ripe and all the industrial forms are prepared for the change. The capitalist system has reached the highest stage of development : it is perfectly collectivised. It is no longer a question between individual and collective ownership and control of the means of production, but simply one between capitalist collectivism and Socialist —or social —collectivism. The real capitalist, the actual drawer of profits, performs to-day no useful function. -He is a mere financier, and, so far as organising or managing, is concerned, he is as useless and uiinecesary as the landlord. The result of this is that not only are all the economic forms ripe for socialisation, but by the acceleration of production, the agglomeration and concentration of capital, and the chronic glutting of the markets, capitalism is breaking down- of its own weight: It has reached the end of its tether, and can only maintain its existence by the most extravagant and ruthless waste of wealth, in war and other hixuries, or by constant colonial expansion— L to which latter, of course, there are very definite limits. In addition to all this there is, in this country, at all events, a complete revolution in the mental attitude of the

people towards Socialism, as compared with thirty years ago. Then \VQ' few Socialists had everybody against ns. Not only the politicians and the master class generally, but practically the whole of the organised working class. Now all is changed. Every representative gathering of the organised workers votes Socialist resolutions. Not only so, but, outside a few antiquated fanatical "anti-Socialists," who really do lis more good than harm, there is nobody to oppose Socialism in principle now. Oh, dear, no. "We are all Socialists now." And that is just the trouble. The obstacle to the realisation of the social revolution in this country is not the opposition of its avowed enemies, but the plausibility of its false friends and the gullibility of the. workers themselves. We could have the social revolution in this country, not only "in our time," but within the next twelve months, if only those'hero who agree with the fundamental principles of Socialism could be induced to believe in that possibility. The numbers of convinced Socialists in this country are not to be estimated by the number of persons who vote the Socialist ticket. In the first place, because there is never an opportunity of getting a national Socialist vote, and in the second place, because in those places where we are able to put up a Socialist candidate many good Socialists are induced to vote for the "next best" because the Socialist "has no.chance" and "Socialism is so far off," and there are little reforms to be won in the meantime. It is our task to show them that the revolution is just as near as they like to make it. In that task we are hindered, on the one side; by the "reformers" and ' 'evolutionists," who foolishly teach "that we are at the beginning of the evolution process, iristcad of being at the end; and, on the other, by those who, instead of helping the workers to the conquest of political power, endeavour to persuade them that "political action is played out."

Workers of New Zealand, do you realise things? There is a" connect ion between Dreadnoughts and margarine. Margarino is good enough, for you. Rebel and the guns of a Dreadnought will be turned upon you. . Russian. peasants Jive in. starvation' to grow Great Britain's wheat. Denmark sells butter to England to buy margarine and bread. New Zealand is sinking millions in Dreadnoughts arid: militarism. For what? ':