SOCIAL CREDIT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 September 1937, Page 7

SOCIAL CREDIT

CONFUSION IN ALBERTA. MAJOR DOUGLAS’ INFLUENCE. OTTAWA. September 12.. From his office in London, Major Douglas, the chief world propagandist for social credit, is directly administering Alberta’s social credit programme, and especially that province’s fight with the Federal Government. Alberta’s Premier, Mr William Abt-r----lmrt, is taking a back seat as far ns these higher are concerned, and is turning his attention to the details of the more popular business of menacing the bankers. A certain cleavage appears to have developed between Major Douglas and Mr Aberhart, as preparations are proceeding for calling another special session of the Legislature. On Alberta's invitation some time ago, Major Douglas sent two experts from England, Messrs Phillips and Byrne. Acting with Mr George McLnehlan, the leading social credit advocate of Alberta, these men have formed a commission for administering social credit.

To-day’s developments, in Alberta included the Provincial Government’s declaration of a moratorium which may mean that the banks will get out of that province entirely. The moratorium provides that farmers may decline to pay interest to insurance or mortgage companies, or instalments on machinery they have brought, and the Courts are closed to suits against them. Air Aberhart is arranging to call another special session for the purpose of enacting the measures in another form. He may impose provincial licenses against the hanks, amounting to £200,000 annually, which will drive them out of business in Alberta. Bloodshed is freely predicted before the province’s troubles are ironed out. In a speech to-day. Mr Aberhart said: “Mr Banker, we do not need you any more.”