Organizer Gerald Desmond on Socialism 1911
G. O. D. on SOCIALISM
Organizer Gerald Desmond on Socialism 1911
G. O. D. in a lecture on SOCIALISM
Gerald Desmond on Socialism.
The Summerland Review, Summerland B.C., February 25, 1911
SOCIALISM
Organizer Desmond, of the S. P. C.,
Lectures in Summerland.
It was a small audience in a cold hall that attended the meeting of the local branch of the Socialist Party of Canada on Wednesday evening last in the Men's Club.
Shortly before 8.30, Mr. W. Nelson, of Vancouver, was voted to the chairs and in introducing Organizer Gerald Desmond, the speaker; of the evening; made a few remarks, telling how and why he became a socialist.
Mr. Desmond took for his subject "The Struggle for Existence." He traced the gradual development of the methods of production, from the crude hand machines of the ancients to the huge steam driven plants of the present day. There was no problem to face in the line of production; enough was produced at the present time to satisfy all demands. The problem that needed attention was that of distribution. Competitive distribution, he said, must be eliminated. In its place must be substituted a system whereby everyone was given enough, and if possible, to spare. The remedy for the one-sided commercial conditions at present existing, lay in regarding every worker, from the manager down, as an economic unit. The relation of the capitalist to the worker must be changed, and both placed on an equal footing by holding each responsible for a share in the great work of production.
Rev. A. W. McLeod followed. He pointed out that the workers alone were to blame for the continuance of the present industrial system. They must be aroused from their apathy, and shown that the remedy is within their reach if they will but grasp it, and the work for socialists at present is to awaken their comrades to a1 sense of their potentiality.
Several questions were asked of Mr. Desmond and he replied to each at length. They dealt with government ownership, co-operation, deposition of the capitalist, and other subjects which naturally arise in the enquiring mind when such sweeping changes are proposed.
Gerald Desmond Books
Arrangements have been made for the following further meetings:—
Sunday afternoon, February 26, at 1.30 p.m., in Elliott's Hall, Subject, The commodity, labor-power. Wednesday evening, March 1, at 8 p.m., in the Schoolhouse, West Summerland, subject, Wages and Profits. Thursday evening March 2, at 8p.m., in Elliott's Hall, Subject, The history of the working class.
