CONSUMPTION AND EXCHANGE be raised as the country needs. It will be the reqMirmunts of the community and the supply obtaining which will determine the amoont it is to receive. This applies to coal and food as to all other n«ds of the people. ' " But suppose there is not enough of a certain product to go around. What will you do then ? " · ' Then we'}] do what is .done in capitalistic society in time of war and scarcity : the people are rationed, with the difference that in the free community rationing will be managed on principles of equality. . " But suppose the farmer refuses to supply the city with his · pro<Juctsunless he gets money? " · The farmer, like any one else, wants money only if he can buy with it the things he needs. He will quickly see that money iSuseless t9 him. In Russia during the Revolution you could not get a peasant to sell you a pound of flour for a bagful of money. But he was eager to give you a barrel of the finest grain for an old pair of boots. It is ploughs, spades, rakes, agricultural machinery, and clothing which.the farmer wants, not money. For these he will let you have his wheat, barley, and corn. · In other words, the city will exchange with the farm the products each requires, on the basis of need. It has been suggested by some that exchange during the period of revolutionary re-construction should be based on some definilte standard. It is proposed, for example, that every community issue its own money, as is often done in time of revolution; or that a day's work should be considered the unit of value and so-called labour notes serve as medium of exchange. But neither of these proposals is of practical help. Money issued by communities in revolution would quickly depreciate to the point of no value, since such money would have no secure guarantees behind it, without which money is worth nothing. Similarly labour notes would not represent any definite and measurable value as a means of exchange. What would, for instance, an hour's work of the coal miner be , worth? Or fifteen minutes' consultation with the physician?· Even if all effort should be oonsidered equal in value and an hour's labour be made the unit, could the house painter's,hour of work or the surgeon's operation be equitably measured in terms of wheat? Common sense will solve this probloemon the basis of human equality and the right of°every one to life. . ." Such a system might work among decent people," your friend objects; "but how among shirkers? Were not the Bolshcviki right in establishing the principle that ' whoever doesn't work, doem't eat'?"' 8S B1blloteca G·ro Bianco
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