ECONOMIC CAUSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 22 May 1941, Page 4

ECONOMIC CAUSES

TOTALITARIAN TRENDS PEOPLE’S RESPONSIBILITY [United Press Association] Auckland, May 21. An examination of economic circumstances which are productive of a national outlook likely to lead to totalitarianism was made last night by Mr H. R. Rodwell, lecturer in economics at Auckland University College, in an address to the Auckland Diocesan Churchmen’s Association. At the same time he pointed to the dangers confronting a democracy experiencing an increasing measure of State control if the people did not carry their responsibility past the ballot box. It was essential, he urged, unless the people of such a country were ready to submit to the growth of totalitarianism, for them to undertake a very difficult path of mental discipline. Too many people were inclined to believe that their responsibility was discharged when they had cast their vote. On the contrary, it was imperative that they should think upon and analyse each step taken by the State, so that they might be prepared to come together and decide whether such a step was good. REGIMENTATION OF INDIVIDUAL Mr Rodwell examined the effect of changes in population and industrial structure to show how economic conditions were produced which resulted in the emergence of an idea that 19th century methods of haphazard and unregulated capitalism would no longer work when the impact of new conditions was felt. Insulationist policies reinforced by the bitterness left by the last war, grew out of the new economic circumstances and extended the field for the State’s active control of economic life and the regimentation of individual effort. The economic trends which lie examined, said Mr Rodwell. greatly increased the nationalist outlook, which in turn readily became aggressive in its effort to satisfy its economic needs. Herein lay the question which people should ask themselves The trends of their economic life produced a set of circumstances which could easily result in such a tendency to lean upon the State that the way to totalitarianism was made easy. It was no use saying that all regimentation should go. It was necessary to move with the times, but it was essential that the individual should think and not merely acquiesce.