Cash and carry on (1964)

From the September 1964 issue of the Socialist Standard

Looking back over the years, it is remarkable to notice how much the Party has accomplished with such slender financial resources.

In 1904 the Founder Members were faced with the problem of finding the necessary cash from their own scanty means.

They had set their hands to a mighty task, to convert the workers of the world to the cause of Socialism.

To carry out this work, they needed a central office from which to operate and a journal to carry the message.

Apart from the difficulty of finding the necessary cash to pay the rent, most landlords were hostile and many would not accept us as tenants at any price.

After being pushed from one miserable office accommodation to another equally depressing, we were finally, in an air raid, blown out of premises in Great Dover Street. This happened towards the end of the last war and although we managed to find other accommodation it was evident that the one satisfactory solution to this problem was to secure our own Central Office.

During the war, with the bombing and the black-out, activity was greatly reduced and as a result of this inactivity we were in the most unusual position of accumulating funds.

This small reserve, together with a mighty effort on the part of the members and a generous loan from a member, enabled us to buy the premises we now occupy as our Central Office.

Sixty years ago, the Party published the first number of the Socialist Standard and every month since then this journal has made its appearance.

In spite of all the difficulties and dangers caused by two world wars the Standard appeared regularly. The difficulty of obtaining newsprint and finding the money to pay for it on the one hand, and the problem of avoiding a shutdown by authorities on the other, were overcome. The case for Socialism was clearly stated in every copy, as was our bitter opposition to that bloody slaughter.

This magnificent record, as far as we know unequalled by any other organisation in any part of the world, was accomplished by the voluntary and unpaid services of members of the Party.

The sixty volumes of the Socialist Standard stand as a living record of the ability and courage of those members who laboured to produce them.

Apart from the generous and unpaid services members give to the Party, an organisation such as ours is always faced with the problem of finance. As a working class party we depend upon the donations that working people can afford and it is most gratifying to note how generously they respond to our appeals.

The cost of producing the Socialist Standard has increased by over three hundred per cent. during the past twenty years. The present copy is costing much more than we are selling it for, but we are happy to produce a special issue such as this. If you wish to take part in this effort we shall be pleased to accept your donations and assure you that they will be made good use of.

Ted Lake