THE SOVIET IN DANGER.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3597, 8 October 1920, Page 4

THE SOVIET IN DANGER.

The prospect of a coFapse of Soviet government in Russia and a speedy return to industry by the Russian people present's another view of the economic vista. It will impress very forcefully what has been urged about decreased production being at the root of social and economic evil. People could not be made to see and understand that a determined working people could have defeated trusts and combines, and rendered their position insecure. It is only necessary to produce more than trusts can profitably handle, that is establish an overwhelming surplus of all necessaries of life, create a supply for which there is no adequate demand and trusts woivd be beaten at their own game. The best interests of mankind were

neglected and a fight against trust enemies instituted winch was exactly what furnished conditions in which trusts flourish. Strikes, go-slows and every other kind and description of idleness shortened the supply and thereby added appalling possibilities for exploitation. Food and clothing, however short of supply, were essential, and,it was the cutting down of production, a lessening of supply that enabled trust exploiters to demand whatever they chose for the food they cornered and the manufactures they monopolised. In logical sequence, if j shortage of supply gives the oppor- j tuiiity to exploit, a surplus produc- j tion must operate in taking away } or, at least, in lessening that opportunity. It is apparent that so I'ong as the essentials of human existence do not equal the demand a state favourable to trusts corners and combine s is being cultivated, and, of course, those J curses on economics will flourish, I

oven to cornering the means whereby production is making it almost impossible to ever again establish a"supply that does actually exceed the demand. The lamentable aspect to the masses of the people in producing countries is that the leaders of labour have led the forces of labour into the trust trap. Is not the doctrine of strikes fraught with foolhardiness Can the preaching and practice of that doctrine ever solve"the labour problem By logical reasoning is it not shown that deliberately advocating shortage of supply can' only result in starvation ■ and revolution, Labour leaders by advocating schemes for lessening- production are selling labour into slavery; by increasing production they would bring about that salvation of labour that was never more urgently desirable in. ;l abour's best interests than at the present moment. It is obvious that if supplies go into the establishment of a grocer or draper in greater volume than the trade of the shopkeeper can assimilate, and in addition' there is ample supplies in store awaiting consumption, that shopkeeper wiV be in a very bad way. On the other hand, if shortage of supply is maintained that shortage will be reflected in higher prices. Then shortage is calamitous to workers while in surplus production lies their salvation. Why are labour.leaders faking labour into the power of the gang of exploiters who fatten upon them as spiders fatten upon flies, " " ' ' A -