THE SOCIALIST PROGRAMME.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 65, 28 December 1878, Page 2

THE SOCIALIST PROGRAMME.

Vndcr the heading " Our Principles," the Vorwarts, " central organ of the Social democrats in Germany," publishes an article in which it indignantly repudiates the numerous aspersions and accusations brought against the party whoso views it represents, stating that those as pensions either emanate from in ■' wilful pcrvertion, or ignorance; :;:. order to prove the groundlessness of ta accusations brought against the Socialists, the paper publishes what it professes to be the programme of that party. As their programme, certainly differs from that usually attributed to the German Socialists —whom it is the fashion lately to represent as a band of assassins—with strong communistic proclivities, it may be interesting to hear their side of the question. We reproduce the loading features of the programme, as published by the Vorwiirts, The programme starts with the general premises that—" Labour is the source of all wealth and civilisation, as labour, to be generally useful, can only be effected by and through society, that is, to all its members; and the obligation to work is general, with equal lights, oaeh according to his reasonablo requirements. As society is at present constituted, all t,ho instruments of labour are monopolised by the capitalist class by which tho labouring class is forced into a state of dependency, the origin of all the misery and oppression in every shape and form. In order to omauoipate labour, all the instruments of labour must become the common property of society, the.combined labour must be regulated on the equitably and justly disturbed and applied for the public good. The emancipation of labour can only bo accomplished by tho working class themselves, all other classes against them forming a reactionary body."

After laying down these general principles, the programme continues :—" In accordance with these principles, the German Socialists strive, by all It g.ii m< itw, to establish a Socialistic community tr.il a free State, and seek to destroy tin ; less laws of supply and demand, 1 y aliolishing the system of working for wages or for gain of any kind, and by dunaway with all social and political lities. Although at present the Sociaiisl confine their action to thoir own country, thoy are aware of the international [character of the movement, and will endeavour to carry out the duty imposed upon them, to bring about universal fraternity between all men. The German Socialists, with a view to the solutiou of the social question, demand the establishment of Socialist co-operativo productive associations, aided by tne State, and under the democratic control of tho working people. These productive association for industry and agriculture are to be based upon such a footing, that the outcome may be the Socialistic organisation of comhined labour."

The Socialists demand as bases of the State, universal suffrage, with an i ml and direct power of voting and qluu. ~ compulsory secrot voting, all members uf the State or community to be entitled to vote on all State or communal affair* on reaching the age of twonty, and all election* to take plaoo on a Sunday or holiday. Direct legislation by the people, who aro also to decide on all questions of peace or war. The obligation tn bear arms U> bo general. The army to be ft popular and not a standing one. All exceptional laws to bo abolished, particularly those restricting the liberty of the W of the various societies, and the right of mriting, and generally all laws

rotrictiug the froe expression of opinions, fix*: thought, and free investigation. The free administration of justice to be t-xeruised by the people, and to be free of all cost.

Education to be universal, obligator; and equal for all. and to lie paid for by the State, and the instruction iu all schools to bo undenominational, The Socialists demand an extension of political rights and privileges in the direction above indicated; they ask for a single progressive income-tax for State and community, instead of the existing code of taxation, and demand the abolition of indirect taxation, so oppressive to the people; they demand the unrestricted iight of coalition, the fixing of a normal working day in accordance with sanitary laws, the abolition uf Sunday work, the probition of children's and women's labour, as far as it may be injurious to health and morality ; laws to protect the health and lives of the workmen ; sanitary control of workmen's dwellings; inspection of mines, factories, and workshops, and of home industries, by officers appointed by the workpeople ; effective laws to recompense for injuries sustained by workpeople ; regulation of prison labour, and the unrestricted management of their relief and benefit societies.