Do the Workers Pay Rent?

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 78, 6 September 1912, Page 5

Do the Workers Pay Rent?

STUDENT AT THE ECONOMIC CLASS. This was the subject at the Wellington Economic Class <m a recent Sunday. The speaker said: I am to affirm that freetrade, protection, rents, rates, and taxes are of no concern to the workers. Of course, all workers not acquainted with Socialist Economics would be sure to get a wrong idea, but I will proceed to show that taxes are levied on property; that indirect taxes are included in the price of commodities tho working-class purchase; that tho average cost of the necessaries that the laborer must have in order to maintain a certain standard of comfort, a certain degree of stamina and skill, and sufficient encouragement to many and roar a sufficient number of wage-slaves must decide tho lower limit of wages. One objector suggests, 'If tho taxes go up our rent is raised.' I agree, but! as an economist I must see if this is a law or not. As a general rule if taxes; are increased, house rent is raised and prices of commodities aro increased, j Good. If taxes aro lowered rent falls? My objector at once sees the point. Now, what does tho Socialist teach? Prices aro settled by competition, custom and cost of production. An-over-supply of houses in a locality where taxes are increasing will not command higher rents. An over-supply of articles of immediate consumption will have a lower price while taxes are being raised than an under or limited (monopolistic or natural makes no difference) supply while taxes aro being taken off. It, is not freetrade that has made things cheap, but tho revolutionary methods of production. Prices fall because commodities can be produced with a smaller consumption of human labor. And even when the price of goods is determined by the cost of production tho value of labor power is determined by the minimum cost of man's wants —his food, clothing and lodging. In order to get the better of his competitors, the manufacturer trios his utmost to reduce the, cost of production; if "thorn is an over-supply of labor the workman is compelled as by a fatality to limit himself even, in absolute necessaries if he wishes to live. The manufacturer is master of the market and demands — Who is ready to work for tho minimum wage? Finally, as for other commodities comes an ill-omened day, when the human ware is offered for loss than cost price—that is to say, if we would speak clearly, a moment comes when necessity compels the unfortunate workman to solicit a wage that is insufficient to provide for his most pressing wants and those of his family. This is the slave market with headquarters in modern Europe, and hindquarters in New Zealand and every other country where capitalism prevails. For our reference, see "Value, Price and Profit" (Marx), "Capital" (Marx), and "Principles of Scientific Socialism" (Vail) .--STUDENT.