All Must Work.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 35, 3 November 1911, Page 18

All Must Work.

— 4 By ZEN A NORTON.

It is already evident to cur opponents that Socialism demands that each shall work or starve. Those in any way incapacitated for labor must always live, as. they always have lived, from the labor of others. As there will be no means for exploiting the labor of others, each is absolutely self-depend-ent. This condition is, of course, fundamental to the collective, ownership and operation of the means of production. Under private ownership the laborer is dependent upon the capitalist —the owner of the means whereby he lives£-for an opportunity to make a living, and the .only motive that actuates the capitalist—the only inducement:for. him to. provide the laborer .with a chance to live—lies in, the prospect presented to the Capitalist of '.successfully exploiting the laborer. ... When . this prospect tails or •becomes precarious' the laborer is locked ous. ~ He -must; look.elsc.wr.icre for the means of living. He may find it or he-may not —that is nh ' concern of anyone except -hi'miself and- those dependent .•up'on.;J.iiih:V , . i ''The: 'collective body is usideo: no. obligation• whatever to provide liiih %n opp._rtuhity to live, and the, capitalist is em--powered, to deprive him of that oppor-. tunity. .■,-■■■• Under Socialism the State, that'is;; the people collectively, will demand' that a man shall-work or starve. Hence: we, recognise the right-of the laborer. to demand from the State an opportunity to work. Socialism' would, ac-. complish for the laborer and foir every human being two things which we deem essential to his social and economic being. First, it would free him from ..dependence upon greed for a chance to live ; secondly, it would give to everyone an equal opportunity not only in the field of lahor, not only "to make a living," but to develop himself along where any line of ambition, might lead. .Socialism can never remove the burden of discipline necessary to superiority in any field of human activity, but it can and must give to each an equal opportunity for development. Given opportunity, if there is in a man or wo j nan possibilities of superiority in any calling development follows; without, the opportunity the grave must put to rest many "a '.'mute, inglorious Milton." Socialism, nor any other "ism," can never make people equal mentally, morally or physieallly... >ut it can give, and. will give a .chance to develop the hest there is in each and ail.