The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1912. THE PRACTICAL SOCIALIST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 116, 2 October 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1912. THE PRACTICAL SOCIALIST.

A Consular report that was published in London recently mentioned, the "NewAustralia" settlement, and so provoked a renewal of the old discussion regarding an experiment that for fifteen years has provided a stock argument for the opponents of Socialism. The little colony that vvas founded by Australian Socialists in the heart of Paraguay goon after the industrial , disturbances of 1890 is prosperous and contented now, but it did not begin to make progress until the capital system, with private ownership of land, competition and wages, took the place of its original socialistic organisation. The faOure to realise the ideals of its promoters was complete and indisputable. The story of the enterprise has been told in a book, entitled ''"Where Socialism Failed," from the graphic pen of Mr. Stewart Grabame, who was one of the followers of Mr. William Lane when the original party left Sydney for Paraguay. He 'slept for more than five hundred nights in a mud hut at New Australia," and then left, convinced that Socialism was impracticable," His companions, he says, were "the pick of the working men of Queensland and New South Wales tank-sinkers, shearers, bush carpenters, station hands, with artisans used to the rough-and-tumble life of Australia," while Mr. Lane waa a sincere, ardent and disinterested believer in the principles of Socialism, witli what is characterise! as "a magnetic personality." The venture failed because of the incessant disputes as to the apportionment of the less attractive but necessary work of the settlement, and the management of its affairs generally. But Mr. Grahame really disproves his own conclusions when he shows that Socialism was never really giren a trial in New Australia. The leader adopted "% policy of benevolent despotism, which the fact of liis holding proxies for all the members of the association still in Australia enabled him to carry out," and when his orders were disobeyed he secured the support of "Paraguayan soldiers armed to the teeth." The settlement, moreover, had no market for its surplus products, and was expected to make its purchases on a cash basis, while Mr. Lane was an advanced Communist Tathor than a Socialist in the modern and limited interpretation of the title. Failure under tlwse conditions proves merely that the unrestricted idealist is a poor guide along the path of progress.

* JIOTOa WARSHIPS. In yesterday's issue we referred to the coming revolution in warship propulsion, from steam to oil power. There are some aspects raised by the Review of Reviews which space prevented our discussing. Tfie writer pointed out in his article that save in the adoption of the turbine engine for [ warships of even the largest dimensions, there has been little in the wayjof sudden and'revolutionary changes in naval construction. The armor has become steadily thicker or more resis tijig, the guns 'have become heavier and the projectiles more penetrating—in short, the endless battle 'between offencb and defence has been steadily proceeding. Now, however; comes a differences—arid 'one fraught with vital consequences. The use of coal on warships is doomed, of that'there is no question—aor is there any question as to what is to replace it as fuel. But there are two methods of utilising oil as fuel. One is to substitute it for coal in raising steam —this undoubtedly offers great advantages, economy in all directions, and a tremendous saving' of stokehold ratings, etc. : But there is another method, and one which in addition to the foregoing advantages offers many more—that is, the use of oil in internal-combustion propulsion engines. In other words, there will ,be mtftor battleships. The idea of internal-combustion engines has become familiar, thanks to the motor car. But in the battleship the engine must be so immensely great._ so enormously powerful, that so far 110 invention has yet been devised to stand the strain. For in an internal-combustion engine the shocjc of the strain is much, more fierce and more concentrated. But this is a temporary difficulty only existing.to be overcome. '• Internal-combustion propulsion engines, burning crude oil or distillate, burn much less oil in producing equal power, therefore they must be adopjted. The day has already come when no admiralty dare build a warship fitted only to burn coal. We do not go as far as those who 'declare that in two years' time there will not .be a lump of cpal used in the 'Navy (.says, the Review! of Reviews'), biit wcr<Jo insist upon the junmistakable'fact 'that during tjie period of experiment and perfection of internal-combustion propulsion engines oil will be first invariably used as a supplementary fuel with'-coal, then as an alternative "fuel, and very soon, as sole fuel. Tlie havhl c6nstructclr demands many things, forced upon him by increase of armaments;; oil in one fuel form or another gives' him these advantages. He would be a fool, therefore, not to adopt oil as fuel. ■ Tradition and. fear of lack of adequate supply kept bade oil fuel, but now ..that it has begun to be used and a comparison U possible, coal has no chance;' Ask any junior navaj officer who has commanded an oildestroyer his opinions of a- coalburning one, and any doubts as to; the effect of compUrisbij will disappear. The fngine-room ratihgs speak also.with no uhcertain voice- f in the matter—their' opinion is very much that of the locomotive driver on the oil-firpd G.IJ.R. Cromer express, "The indicator remains,.steady on t'he mark during' all. the journey." Oil is a part already, arid a vital part, of the British Navy, and as such we may truthfully 'say that .from now 'on the British '-Empire; depends upon oil for. its security-. Think minute what oil-, fuel means—no delay in, mobilisation, no. delay- in striking at an enemy, no need to come to port to, replenish fuel supplies,' an absolute ability to remain unceasingly on jvatch and guard on the Nelson and his'sailing fleets were ,no morfe indepertderit of home ports than will be a fleet fuming oil in a few years! Oil taiiikers will conyey fuel to blockading fleets, which can take oil on •board even when, jnoving towards the enemy, in all weathers, day or night. The decision, of. thq Admiralty ~to make lArge ,use of oil' 1 sis'-'fuel, not only alone in thp smaller craft, but' even on the greatest battle&bips; , has inevitably brought into prominency the manifold advantages-'- * whiofa this fuel .'lias::oii -the sea. ( Already ljas been done .in the way of. laying. d.bVn.. tankage,' of organising supply. jn. 1910, 100,000 tons were-puitehaScd',' and in fOll'no lefts •than 400,000 "tons. "One, of "the"" immediate , Steps ' resulting -from 'tjie Royal Commission WilF be the purchase 'and permanent storage j' n vas t anc j we jj. guardjed tank's of a! ( ' million torik of oil fuel. ' In this connection it must be noted, that fuel fesidual oil with a. very high flash-point is',practically non:inflammable, and does not deteriorate with keeping. The time has come when 'it is impossible to ignore oil fuel in building war vessels. The enormous,increase in armament and in protective armor, the ever-developing size." of propelling machinery, necessitates an economy in teel Space and in crew space. Oil fuel.' gives ,this to a .marked degree. Cleanliness and ease of handling are great advantages, while, instead of a stokehold full of weary men, there is .only need for a- tenth of the number, who pass their time ; in comparative.! comfort. Fleets can be replenished with fuel .at'sea without difficulty, while steam can be. made without delay. Admiral Sir John Fisher, while in America, announced in so many words that oil was the fuel of the future for fleets; "Fighting Bob" Evans, of the United States nayy, has made still more emphatic statements with regard to the American navy, and there is ample evidence that all the great nations "are of the same opinion.