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ory for themselves。
‘I should like to ask the speaker；' he said； ‘supposin' all this that 'e talks about is done … what's to become of the King； and the Royal Family； and all the Big Pots？'
‘'Ear； 'ear；' cried Crass； eagerly … and Ned Dawson and the man behind the moat both said that that was what they would like to know； too。
‘I am much more concerned about what is to become of ourselves if these things are not done；' replied Barrington。 ‘I think we should try to cultivate a little more respect of our own families and to concern ourselves a little less about 〃Royal〃 Families。 I fail to see any reason why we should worry ourselves about those people； they're all right … they have all they need； and as far as I am aware； nobody wishes to harm them and they are well able to look after themselves。 They will fare the same as the other rich people。'
‘I should like to ask；' said Harlow； ‘wot's to become of all the gold and silver and copper money？ Wouldn't it be of no use at all？'
‘It would be of far more use under Socialism than it is at present。 The State would of course become possessed of a large quantity of it in the early stages of the development of the Socialist system； because … at first … while the State would be paying all its officers and productive workers in paper； the rest of the community … those not in State employ … would be paying their taxes in gold as at present。 All travellers on the State railways … other than State employees … would pay their fares in metal money； and gold and silver would pour into the State Treasury from many other sources。 The State would receive gold and silver and … for the most part … pay out paper。 By the time the system of State employment was fully established； gold and silver would only be of value as metal and the State would purchase it from whoever possessed and wished to sell it … at so much per pound as raw material： instead of hiding it away in the vaults of banks； or locking it up in iron safes； we shall make use of it。 Some of the gold will be manufactured into articles of jewellery； to be sold for paper money and worn by the sweethearts and wives and daughters of the workers； some of it will be beaten out into gold leaf to be used in the decoration of the houses of the citizens and of public buildings。 As for the silver； it will be made into various articles of utility for domestic use。 The workers will not then； as now； have to eat their food with poisonous lead or brass spoons and forks； we shall have these things of silver and if there is not enough silver we shall probably have a non…poisonous alloy of that metal。'
‘As far as I can make out；' said Harlow； ‘the paper money will be just as valuable as gold and silver is now。 Well； wot's to prevent artful dodgers like old Misery and Rushton saving it up and buying and selling things with it； and so livin' without work？'
‘Of course；' said Crass； scornfully。 ‘It would never do！'
‘That's a very simple matter； any man who lives without doing any useful work is living on the labour of others； he is robbing others of part of the result of their labour。 The object of Socialism is to stop this robbery； to make it impossible。 So no one will be able to hoard up or accumulate the paper money because it will be dated； and will become worthless if it is not spent within a certain time after its issue。 As for buying and selling for profit … from whom would they buy？ And to whom would they sell？'
‘Well； they might buy some of the things the workers didn't want； for less than the workers paid for them； and then they could sell 'em again。'
‘They'd have to sell them for less than the price charged at the National Stores； and if you think about it a little you'll see that it would not be very profitable。 It would be with the object of preventing any attempts at private trading that the Administration would refuse to pay compensation to private owners in a lump sum。 All such compensations would be paid； as I said； in the form of a pension of so much per year。
‘Another very effective way to prevent private trading would be to make it a criminal offence against the well…being of the community。 At present many forms of business are illegal unless you take out a licence； under Socialism no one would be allowed to trade without a licence； and no licences would be issued。'
‘Wouldn't a man be allowed to save up his money if he wanted to； demanded Slyme with indignation。
‘There will be nothing to prevent a man going without some of the things he might have if he is foolish enough to do so； but he would never be able to save up enough to avoid doing his share of useful service。 Besides； what need would there be for anyone to save？ One's old age would be provided for。 No one could ever be out of employment。 If one was ill the State hospitals and Medical Service would be free。 As for one's children； they would attend the State Free Schools and Colleges and when of age they would enter the State Service； their futures provided for。 Can you tell us why anyone would need or wish to save？'
Slyme couldn't。
‘Are there any more questions？' demanded Philpot。
‘While we are speaking of money；' added Barrington； ‘I should like to remind you that even under the present system there are many things which cost money to maintain； that we enjoy without having to pay for directly。 The public roads and pavements cost money to make and maintain and light。 So do the parks； museums and bridges。 But they are free to all。 Under a Socialist Administration this principle will be extended … in addition to the free services we enjoy now we shall then maintain the trains and railways for the use of the public； free。 And as time goes on； this method of doing business will be adopted in many other directions。'
‘I've read somewhere；' said Harlow； ‘that whenever a Government in any country has started issuing paper money it has always led to bankruptcy。 How do you know that the same thing would not happen under a Socialist Administration？'
‘'Ear； 'ear；' said Crass。 ‘I was just goin' to say the same thing。'
‘If the Government of a country began to issue large amounts of paper money under the present system；' Barrington replied； ‘it would inevitably lead to bankruptcy； for the simple reason that paper money under the present system … bank…notes； bank drafts； postal orders； cheques or any other form … is merely a printed promise to pay the amount … in gold or silver … on demand or at a certain date。 Under the present system if a Government issues more paper money than it possesses gold and silver to redeem； it is of course bankrupt。 But the paper money that will be issued under a Socialist Administration will not be a promise to pay in gold or silver on demand or at any time。 It will be a promise to supply commodities to the amount specified on the note； and as there could be no dearth of those things there could be no possibility of bankruptcy。'
‘I should like to know who's goin' to appoint the hofficers of this 'ere hindustrial harmy；' said the man on the pail。 ‘We don't want to be bullied and chivied and chased about by a lot of sergeants and corporals like a lot of soldiers； you know。'
‘'Ear。 '