The Cause of Poverty is Under-Consumption.

The capitalist says that the cause of depression in trade is that our productive energies are increasing at a greater ratio than our consuming powers: and we reply, "You are so few, and we are so many; your resources are so great that you can exploit but a portion of us and become millionaires; but the exploitation of a portion of us means that many millions suffer." And they say to us, with our millions of underfed men, women, and children dying of starvation: "Be gentle, be moderate, be statesmanlike; use discretion; have common sense!" Imagine anybody standing by the bank of a canal while his dearest friend was struggling in the water, and, while he was throwing his coat off to rescue his friend, being told by a bystander to "have reason; don't be in a hurry; be moderate; don't do anything in haste!" What would you say—what would you do? I know what I should do if I were a bigger man: I should chuck him into the canal and then go in for my friend. (Laughter and applause.) But these people tell us we must be discreet and not use strong language: to have great care in what we say and what we do. I could go into details, and tell you what our working women have to do. Some of you talk about the Maoris being the only men who make their women work, but it is nothing of the sort. The true-born Britisher on his native heath is the