*THE
WORKER*
BRISBANE, MAY
11, 1895.
The
Editorial Mill.
Our Motto:
“Socialism in our time.”
In
some of the countries in Europe and also in the United States where
industry is most advanced, Capitalism has entered its last stage –
the “Trust” - in which individualism is swallowed up in
industrial combination. The initiatory principles of Socialism have
already been accepted and applied by governments, because they are in
harmony with the surrounding conditions of society.
Let
us not, then, be frightened at the “red spectre” bogey raised by
the capitalistic press in the interest of its masters, but calmly and
without prejudice consider the question, and if satisfied that
Socialism can be beneficially put into operation, at once set about
it.
*
* *
It
will be in the recollection of Queenslanders that some twelve or
eighteen months back the people of Brisbane were very irate at the
treatment meted out to them by insurance companies, who entered into
a combination to put on the screw. Added to the inconvenience of high
rates of insurance, which still have to be paid, the public is now
confronted with the fact that the Brisbane Fire Brigade is in a most
regrettable position. The city is growing larger, yet at each meeting
of the board the paramount question is the scarcity of funds. The
wages of the men who risk their own lives to protect the lives and
property of other citizens from the devouring element of fire, have
already been reduced. More than this. There is a danger that even the
plant may suffer for want of a proper income commensurate with
efficiency. Yet it is both possible and practicable to alter it all
with a saving to the citizens.
*
* *
It
is admitted by those who thoughtfully study economics that there is a
considerable amount of waste in the competitive system of industry.
This applies to the business of insurance as well as to all other
branches of business. Each particular company has to pay either a
land speculator or landlord an enormous sum of money for a place on
which to have an office. Along with this each company must have a
costly manager and a large staff of underpaid clerks. Then there is
the different kinds of stationary, the booming advertisements, and
the other incidental expenses belonging to the various offices, all
of which have to be paid by those who insure, and most of which could
be avoided by them if they would only set their wits to work in the
right direction.
*
* *
There
is nothing to prevent the municipal and shire councils in Queensland
taking up this business of insurance. Their present staff of officers
is nearly sufficient to do all the clerical work required. The
citizens, through their representatives, could have a voice in the
management and regulation of rates. Fire brigades would not, as at
present, languish for want of funds, because some of the profits of
insurance that now find their way into the pockets of absentee
landlords, shareholders, and guinea-pig directors would be utilised
for the benefit of all, and rates would be lower.
*
* *
Those
persons who now share the plums off the insurance tree will, it is
unnecessary to say, object to all this. Likewise they may be expected
to hypocritically scream “What are you going to do with those whom
we now employ? Are you going to throw them out of employment with
your wild and reckless ideas?” Of course these same screamers never
compensate their employ'es even they tell them that “Your services
are no longer required,” or for a moment consider what is to become
of them. Nevertheless the scream may be expected. But if the Councils
take the place of the private companies, as they should, there will
be no question that those who are at present employed by the latter
will receive fair play. More men could be employed in the prevention
of fire in the suburbs around Brisbane than are employed in the
services of these companies to-day. And, note this, the men now
employed by insurance companies cannot regulate the conditions under
which they work; but if municipalities take over the business they at
once become shareholders in it and can have a regulating vote in its
management.
*
* *
Whether
our present Brisbane alderman are sufficiently wise or energetic
enough to rise to the occasion it is safe to prophesy that the change
is inevitable and will come. Yes, inevitable. Municipal insurance and
many other things, also. So inevitable are they that even the
Brisbane COURIER sometimes forgets its capitalistic instructions and
says; “Brisbane is periodically awakened to the danger attaching to
our present system, or want of system, in the slaughtering of
cattle,” which, put in the plain blunt language of this journal,
means that the present metropolitan meat trade has become so depraved
and unscrupulous that it is a common thing to find tuberculous cattle
slaughtered in butchering establishments to the danger of the whole
community. Experience has shown that it is quite impossible for
slaughter-house inspectors to keep track of all that goes on in those
private establishments, and the only safe way to secure healthy meat
food for the people is by the erection of public abattoirs in which
the nauseous tricks of the trade carried on at present will be
effectively prevented.
*
* *
What
is true of the butchering trade is true also of many other trades.
The people must, in their own interests, necessarily interfere and
say how they shall be conducted. This is an initial step on the road
towards Socialism-Granny COURIER will call it “Reform.” True it
is that “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” but,
after all, it is best to call it by its proper name. As time passes
on, and as different branches of industry reach their most economic
stage of production, one after another they will be quickly absorbed
by the State or municipality for the common good.
*
* *
No
one denies but that there are terrible evils amongst us, and which
are adjuncts of the present mode of production. With this admission
there is hope for the future. Capitalism has served its day and is
now breaking down. It is being tried at the bar of public opinion.
Notwithstanding that the counsel for the prosecution and defence are
still pleading the jury have already commenced to consider the
evidence set before it, and there cannot be any doubt in the minds of
thoughtful persons but that the verdict will be one of condemnation.
Work and trade to-day is largely in a state of anarchy in which every
man's hand is against his fellows. This state of affairs will remain
with us until Governments are made to understand that their duty is
to organise work so that not only shall every person in the community
find productive employment for their labour but also that the
conditions under which the work shall be regulated will be consistent
with real justice. Governments will commence to do this when the
people make up their minds to see that it is done, but not before.
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