Definitions of Socialism as a practical reality and not s mere party cry have #0 frequently been asked for, and in vain, that particular interest attaches to a Socialists' programme, as decided upon by the English section, whi has lately come to hand. This is programme, according to "The South China Morning Post," to which a resolution of the Labour Conference at Hull, on January 24, pledged the Party. The aim of socialism is defined as "an industrial commonwealth founded upon the socialization of lands and capi What this means precisely and how it in to be obtained may be gathered from the following series of axioms. "The true object of industry being the production of the requirements of life, the responsibility should rest with the comtunity collectively, therefore: The Iand being the storehouse of all the necessaries of life should be declared and treated as public property. The capital necessary for industrial operation should be owned and used collectively. Work, and wealth resulting therefrom, should be equitably distributed over the population." It will be noticed that the distribution is to be "equity able" and not "equal." The only logical deduction from this principle is that the best man shall receive the best, wages. Either this will bring us back to the present system of individual competition which is intrinsically opposed to socialistic theory; or the best man wi be penalized in order to bring into line with the majority; which will tend to produce a general lowering of work all round and @ consequent reduction in the divisional wealth of the country. That the latter responsibility is accepted by the socialists is shown by the following list of requirements. Work for all capable adult applicants at recognized trade union rates with statutory minimum of 6d. an hour. Local bodies to be invested with powers to organize and undertake such industries as they may consider desirable, and to levy rates on the rental values of the district, and borrow money on the security of such rates foran of the above purposes. State pensions for every person over fifty years of age, and adequate provision for all widows, orphans, sick and disabled workers. Free, secular, moral, primary, secondary, and university education, with free mainten-
The M.-C. therald and S. C. & C. Gazette.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.