THE CHANGING WORLD.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18805, 29 November 1932, Page 10

THE CHANGING WORLD.

NEW ERA DAWNINCr.

OLD SHIBOLETH’S GOING.

CO-OPERATION THE WATCHWORD

(By John Sykes.) To everyone conversant with the hundreds of published articles written by all thinkers it must be obvious that a "tremendous change is slowly but surely taking place in all parts of the world as to views on social and economic questions. The Waikato Times weekly supplement for quite a considerable period has reprinted sc of splendid articles evidencing this fact, and the daily papers give further evidence of the absolute necessity for as quick a change as possible i. world chaos is to be avoided. Consider the following:— An American writer says: Old feuds and old shibboleths are equal.y valueless as guides to national and international conduct now, and until they are discarded there can be little sure progress out of our present plight.” Mr Stanley Bruce says: "Unless in a short time ways could be found.in which the economic system of the world could bring back prosperity to nations, employment to individuals, and reasonable justice as between classes, the present system could not hope to continue. Nothing should be allowed to interfere.” Lord Melchett (head of the great Brunner-Mond ' Works) said that the present position of the world was absurd and ridiculous. Our capacity for production was practically unlimited, yet we were placed in the absurd position that instead of going ahead we seemed to be going backward, and had shown no sign whatever of real recovery. Sir Leo Chiozza Money, who has been for practically the whole of his public life a Liberal and pronounced individualist, speaking at the British Labour Conference, strongly supported the following - resolution: “That ordered progress and prosperity can only be secured by a bold and comprehensive policy of national planning on Socialist and co-operative lines.” During visits to Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin 1 had exceptional opportunity of having long interviews with business men, many Labour members of Parliament, Rotarians, and prominent supporters of the Douglas theory, and I hope that my experiences may not be without interest to many. Changing Views of Business and Professional Wen. Perhaps it would be more correct to say that most of the men included in this category had no special views on social problems other than that they were doing quite well until recently under conditions as they were, and so had a natural bias against any need for a change. To-day a great change has taken place in their thinking. Concrete Examples.

1. I had a long talk with the head of a hig business concern who is an ex-banker. He said: “All my friends are banking officials and men who are included in the term professional men. You will be surprised at the changed mental outlook of most of these men during the last two years. They are interested in discussing schemes of social reform which they would have thought a sheer waste of time to consider for a moment previously.” Then he added: “The thing has been forced upon them because so many of them are finding it so difficult to make a bare living.” 2. An old friend who has a big retail shop and was for many years a most ■ successful trader, assured me that he is only making a living, and his views as to the future have undergone a great change, incidentally I think he is a much more sympathetic and humane man than during his period of great success. 3. Another old friend who was a typical Conservative of the fine old English gentleman type, and who was head of a big business concern for many years, astonished me with his changed views on social and economic questions. The above are merely isolated instances of the many whom I met who have been impressed with the hopelessness of our present economic system, but who until recently were strong supporters of same. A Word for Rotary.

During my recent trip I met a number of Rotarians and was told of many great changes in character and human sympathy amongst leading members of the commercial world through their association with Rotary. It seems a pity that the membership of Rotary is so restricted, and it is to he hoped that some reorganisation of the policy of internal management may shortly enable every local group or society to increase the membership and so extend the influence for social betterment of this organisation. Douglasltes.

I Desiring to know whal. Hie probable number of avowed supporters of the Douglas Plan there might be in the three cities 1 visited 1 sought, and obtained, interviews with leading supporters of the movement. . i understand that a public debate on the subject is to lake place in j Hamilton, so I prefer to postpone what j t may have to say. Interviews With Labour Members. I I bad long talks with a number of Labour members and was impressed | with the reasonableness of the views ; or most, or, indeed, all, of them. Alj though, like myself, they may he conl firmed Socialists, not once in Ihc ! many hours’ ' talks was the term i Socialism mentioned. If the term j “sane Labour” ever had any special application to any hotly of men it may be applied to members of the Parliamentary Labour Parly whom I had long talks willi. Naturally they favour great changes in one social and economic system, but as so many former antagonists of Labour politics admit lliat there is no hope for (he world under our present social and economic syslcrn, it can hardly he deemed a matter for criticism that I he Labour Party is prepared lo get busy as soon as it li is the opportunity, by introducing essential measures of social and economic reforms. There may seem lo be some conflict in ideas between Hie Labour Party. Douglasiles. and oilier theories, but j surely (he lime lias come, for all those ' who may be at one on certain policies to drop seeming antagonisms and join forces in a delormincd olTorl lo carry speeillc measures .if social betterment. : The predisposition for a great'

change is most pronounced. “Old shibboleths” have lost their force, a new era is imminent, and since cooperation is lo lie the watchword c-f the future in respect to our social organisation, surely co-operation in the effort lo accomplish that desirable consummation were a wise policy. It would seem as if the world depression may prove to be the greatest blessing eventually that the world lias ever known. The competitive system and our present economic policy have proved an utter failure. Our so-called experts and statesmen admit that they can see no hope for the future under present conditions. The change must come, and it is to he hoped that, New Zealand may load the world once more in shortly introducing economic and social reforms that may he of lasting benelif to all. In conclusion, may 1 say that although I had in mind the thought, of going In reside in a larger city I returned 1,1 Hamilton convinced lh.it meanwhile there is no better or more prosperous town in New Zealand than Hamilton to live in.