What Socialism Proposes.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 33, 20 October 1911, Page 12

What Socialism Proposes.

Socialism does not propose any portioning oi.it of the wealth of the country, f/haro raid share alike, nor does it have fi vague expectation that if this "wore done, it would somehow or other \stay divided. On no other point is mis-represent:-1 ion so frequent. Ecjjuaiity Df opportunity, with jin equitaliSe distribution of-the product, notnecessar- ,- ily equality of wealth, is the aim of Socialism. It would, it "is true, ■ establish a joint and equal or common ownership of the productive capital of tfhe nation. But it would not; divide it. It is the product that would be shared, according to the value of each ©no's labor. That is a simple proposition that anyone with business experience can .understand. No firm divides its capital. It is preserved intact, and the profits only are shared.

Socialism ctoes not expect to ge>t along without capital, though changing its character fmulamentaUy. To-day capital is the moans of exploitation; while under. Socialism it'vrould lose tlhis capitalist quality and become simply the means" cf production. Socialism aiu?s at the absolute cor.centra- : iion of _ capital, the realisation' of il". greatest efficieivey. Instead of blindly denouncing combinations and trusts, it points out and seeks to utilise their Baviiiy qualities. The trust is a superipr form of coramorcial It csliininatos the tremendous wast-ea involved in compcfciikibn and deir.onthe advantages-of couibination and systch; ov-h? scatterc<l and planless effort. The trustu have eorao to But ;vc must take possession them, if we would not have them for ■otar masters.