DOUGLAS CREDIT SCHEME.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19329, 2 November 1932, Page 8

DOUGLAS CREDIT SCHEME.

To the Editor of “ The Tlmaru Herald. Sir, —Regarding the matter recently published in your correspondence columns connected with the Douglas Social Credit proposals, in which we have three gentlemen, Messrs Lloyd Ross, A. M. Paterson, and G. T. Koller, more or less at variance with one another, the latter part of the foregoing statement, to me, seems to be the essence of the controversy, and not the Douglas proposals as it appears at first glance. These three gentlemen are indulging in a discussion which tends to really confuse the issue. However, that may be the objective; if not, then why indulge in the personal vendetta into which it has developed, and certainly carries the hallmark as such. If a discussion of the Douglas proposals is really desired by these parties, let me state simply and colloquially “cut out the comedy and personal innuendoes.” Much advantage, in debate, can be taken on both sides of the discussion, due to the fairly involved language used by the originator of the discussed proposals, Douglas. Therefore, to my idea, budding economists will receive more benefit from their own efforts in a serious study of the Douglas literature than can be gained by listening to a debate between opposing factors, both equally capable of using tricks of debating and oratory in order to secure the greater share of recognition and perhaps applause or commendation. Although the phraseology used by Douglas may be somewhat involved and technical, the issue from a study of same can be boiled down and simplified so as to be appreciated by anyone with a vestige of intelligence. To my mode of reasoning, the issue with which Douglas is concerned is the propagation of a truer idea and knowledge of the source and control of credit (in other words, money). It was the compiling of his knowledge and investigations on the use and misuse of this credit that led that author to advance his social credit proposals as an endeavour to solve the problems facing all serious thinking individuals to-day, and possibly relieve humanity of its burdens. The root idea of the Douglas assertions in a nutshell is: While credit is extended to processes of production, so that such may be increased for the welfare and benefit of humanity, it is logical to carry the extending of similar credit into the field of consumption whereby these increased products may be consumed. Douglas in recognising this, endeavoured to find a solution to the problem—why such a simple procedure has not been adopted in view of the self-evident fact that “in a world of plenty we have millions starving.” I reiterate, hence the Douglas proposals; and literature thereon, which is certainly worthy of consideration as reading matter of a very interesting and enlightening nature to the average layman and economist. My contention is that the social problems besetting this world to-day are too grave to be accepted by intelligent individuals with levity and bias. Therefore seek for your food for thought from the source from which it springs, and not after it has passed through other “grey matter,” which may contaminate it. At any rate this is the conclusion I have come to after hearing and discussing the subject with various gentlemen, including aforementioned correspondents. Since adopting this attitude, I find myself making more, if not surer, progress towards a better and keener understanding of the Douglas proposals and social credit, and therefore hand my experience on. to those of your readers •be mfc,' consider it wiser to adopt a

similar attitude instead of relying on “second-hand goods.”—l am, etc., J. PATON BOYD. 8 Chaucer Street, Highfield. |