MR. H. G. WELLS AND SOCIALISM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2381, 23 December 1908, Page 2

MR. H. G. WELLS AND SOCIALISM.

“WHY I LEFT THE FABIAN SOCIETY.” Mr H. G. Wells has ceased to be a member of the London -Fabian Society. His resignation was sent in a snort while ago, and the Executive Committee, of which he was one of the most active spirits, announced that they accepted Mr Wells’ resignation “with great regret, in view of the •many services he had rendered both to the Fabian Society and the Socialist movement.” Mr Wells makes it clear in (his 'letter of resignation that he cannot longer hold to the Socialism of the Faoian Society. In some things it goes too far, in others not far enough. For instance, one of the principles of what is known as the “Fabian Basis” is that land and capital shall be emancipated from individual and class ownerskip, “without compensation.” Mr Wells says: “I think the repudiation of compensation in the Basis is opposed to all those ideas of orderly social development inherent in modern Socialism. And I realise .also more and mono the need for insistence upon the immense educational and administrative reconstructions that are necessary to save Socialism from futility. 1 have lost any hope of the Fabian Society contributing effectually to the education of the movement in this direction, and, to borrow a convenient Americanism, I have no use for a Fabian Society that is not developing and spreading ideas.” Mr Sidney Webb has undertaken to give to members an exposition of the clause in the Fabian Basis to which Mr Wells takes exception. Mr Webb’s address is entitled “Without Compensation,” and is one of half-a-dozen lectures on the Fabian Basis arranged by the society for the autumn session at Essex Hall. The first is to be given by /Mr Bernard Shaw. Some months ago Mr Wells made a vigorous attempt to alter the society’s policy, 'but a strong opposi : tion was led with much spirit by Mr Bernard Shaiw, and when it came to the test of numbers Mr Wells was hopelessly oui-voted. Mr Weills now announces in this letter of resignation : “I have had it in my mind that I might presently take part in a vigorous campaign for a revised basis and

a revived propaganda. But when I calculate the forces against such a campaign, tho inevitable opposition and irritation that must ensue, and tho probable net results of what would certainly he an irksome and distressful conflict, I am forced to conclude that the effort is, lor me at least, not worth making. Moreover, I want very much to concentrate myself now upon' the writing of novels for some years, and so I have taken the alternative course and scutum my resignation.”