THE DOUGLAS CREDIT CAMPAIGN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 20969, 23 February 1938, Page 13

THE DOUGLAS CREDIT CAMPAIGN

To the Editor ot "T’.e Timaru Herald" Sir, —Readers of New Zealand newspapers will recall that there was recently published a short paragraph entitled “Our Spiritual Home.” In that paragraph Lord Bledlsloe is reported as saying that on returning to England, a number of contrasts had presented themselves. One was the terrible number of green weeds masquerading as grass in British pastures. Another was the terrible number of human weeds to be found in the streets of the towns and cities. That was one of his reasons for making it his business in a voluntary capacity to devote the greater part of his life towards doing something to make the specimen of English humanity at least comparable with new Zealand. His Lordship for whom without exception in this country, there is a feeling of profound respect, not unmingled with affection, was appointed by King Edward, president of the Council of Social Service. A great noted economist and director of the Bank of England has recently uttered words of economic wisdom, perhaps I should say sound economic hope, coupled with some airy opinions on social credit generally and as applied to Alberta in particular. Sir Josiah Stamp tells us that social credit in England is about defunct, though he adds that he still has a leaflet or pamphlet put into his hand outside the “Old Lady’s” dwelling. Those leaflets or pamphlets probably remind him of an August day in 1914—a day he would gladly forget. They probably remind him of the huge crypt within the bank’s foundations, where bars upon bars of yellow bullion lie buried—and quite possibly he sees that a repetition of the 1914 "lock out” will pressage his and his fellow economists and directors being locked in for ever. The literature may also deal with the agricultural and human weeds Lord Bledlsloe finds masquerading as grass in British meadows, and “full-breathed human beings” in the towns and cities, both of which induces this scribe to think “physician heal thyself,” were sound advice to offer to this banker economist. I have before me the verbatim report of a speech by Major Douglas on the Albertan position delivered in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, on November 30, 1937, to an audience of 1200. From that speech it is clear that every device known to economists of Sir Josiah’s brand and all the might of the bank of which he is a director, will be used to defeat the will of the Alberta people. The struggle will be a long and bitter one, but. of the result the Major has no doubt. In view of this fact. I might be permitted to quote the words of an ancient king addressed to Benhadad: "Let him that girdeth on his harness boast not as he that taketh it off.” For of a certainty the credit monopoly is girding on its harness.—l am, etc., T. POWELL. Albury, February 19.