"A SOCIALTANGLEA:" A REVIEW

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3015, 10 November 1891, Page 2

"A SOCIALTANGLEA:" A REVIEW

It was scarcely to be expected that such a book as " Looking Backwaid," which depicted in a graceful and fascinating manner, the ideal world of the socialist, would pass unchallenged. Few will have read "Looking Backward " without realising that much ol it was worthy of thoughtful perusal. Msny, aye, nearly all the evils of our present social system, which the author pointed out with no unsparing hand, albeit occasionally with much humour, are only too well known to ourselves to need comment. But the fact of admitting an ovil, whether social or otherwise, is a very different matter to accepting tho particular remedy put forward as a cure. It is in this broad, yet critical spirit evidently, that Mr Michaelis has penned the little work now under review.* To use his own words, "110 one can pretend that the world is perfect yet, and tho way to help to bring about the good time coiring, is to freely discuss, without class bias, every idea that may be suggested for the betterment of mankind." Turning to the arguments contained in "A Social Tangle," these seems to have been put before the reader with great clearness. The disastrous effects of the present system, by which a small number have opportunities afforded them to enrich themselves at tho expense of tho mans', ai 'e fully admitted. But this is met with the reply : " that a simple, yet effective remedy is at hand, far short of tho communism, which destroys individualism, independence, and that healthy competition between men, which after ali lies at tho bottom of a nation's strength.

But probably the strongest point advanced by Mr Michaelis is where he demonstates in the most lucid manner, the extraordinary facilities which, owing to the complicated machinery required fur the purposo of government, would exist, for favouritism and corruption on a gigantic scale, and against which individuals would ba completely powerless. Anyone who has had at times, to do with obtaining justice from Governments, will readily understand upon what strong grounds the arguments contained in this portion of " A Social Tangle" are based. An individual, how ever hard and callous, may perchance have a conscience somewhere, but a department, never. 'Finally, as a remedy for tlio strikes and labour difficulties, that are rending society, Mr Michaelis proposes: "First, that Governments should assume a much larger share in the control of productive industries," so as to prevent, as far as possible, the gluts, and consequent heavy losses, which periodically occur, from overproduction in certain branches. Second : That workers should bo encouraged to start mutual productive associations, and third, that all trusts, and other combinations calculated to interfere with the cost, or proper distribution of the necessaries of life, be declared illegal, under heavy penalties. One p >int advanced by Mr Michaelis is particularly worthy of note just at present. This is the emphatic manner in which he declares that all railroads, telegraphs, etc, should bo controlled wholly by the State.

Taken altogether " A Social Tangle " i* a little work well worth reading, and in view of the discussion—now widely proceeding— upon the social and labour problems of tho day, is about the most powerful argument yet advanced, agnnst socialism and communism.

*"A Social Tangle:" By Richard Michaelis: A Sequel and Reply to Bellamy's "Looking Backward."