W.E.A. LECTURE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 125, 28 April 1941, Page 10

W.E.A. LECTURE

Under the auspices of the W.E.A. an address was given on Saturday evening in the Thcosophical Hall by Mr J. O. Shearer, M.A., lecturer in economics at Victoria College, whose subject was en- | titled “The Economic Basis of a Just I Peace.” Mr Shearer pointed out the ] many difficulties that would confront the I peacemakers, and stressed the importance of an enlightened and thoughtful populace. It was difficult to be rational when emotions roused by war were uppermost. In this war we were dealing with opponents who followed strange creeds, dictators whose mol to was expediency. Mussolini’s authority, for example, was Machiavclli, who stated the convenient doctrine that “A prince is not bound to keep his promise any longer than his interests dictate.” Looking backwards to the conditions under which the last peace was made, the lecturer reviewed in detail the many factors, and particularly the economic ones, which had caused friction. Tho last pcaco settlement was dictated and not negotiated, he said. This was a constant irritant to the vanquished. While a fully negotiated peace might bo difficult, it would have eased tho position had tho terms of tho settlement been open to discussion. While economic factors were of vital importance they were secondary to tho human lives through which they acted. War settlements were made under conditions of released emotion. New ideas and ideals arise which were difficult to forsce. The utterances of British leaders suggest a new world, with co-operation and greater equality as the basic idea. This suggested greater planning and yet freer trade. I/ord Reith pictured a planned world. The important aspects of international trade, tho breaking down of trado barriers, a new policy for migration wero discussed at length. An interesting discussion followed and the lecturer was thanked by the chairman (Mr F. J. Lcwin).