THE DOUGLAS PANACEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21555, 28 July 1933, Page 13

THE DOUGLAS PANACEA

Sir,—Every adherent of the Douglas theory should be eternally grateful to Mr. Closey for bis exposition of it in the series of articles in the Herald. The last of them completes the enlightenment of the host of enthusiasts who have been bemused by perplexing abstractions. Coming down to earth and into the practical environment of our own conditions, the chosen exponent of the Douglas movement offers to cure all our economic ills by the growing of lucerne on pumice lands and the creation of a new city on the shores of Lake Taupo—in faet, back to the island community beloved of the theoretical economist. Such is the Douglas "plan for New Zealand—be it noted, volunteered by Mr. Closey. His hundred gardeners become a Utopia of 75.000 cultivators of lucerne and inhabitants of another Canberra, living by the sale of their leguminous harvests to the surrounding provinces, though what they are to do with the lucerne is liot explained. The critics of the Douglas theory have all been at fault—they have taken it seriously. Mr. Closey lias shown by his articles that it should be treated with jest and laughter. Conservative.