DR. KAGAWA.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19604, 17 June 1935, Page 9

DR. KAGAWA.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In your issue of the sth inst. I note a letter by my friend Mr John Sykes, commenting upon a letter which I wrote under the above heading.: I am afraid Mr Sykes did not grasp'the meaning I intended to convey. I stressed certain fundamental facts, using as an illustration the dilemma confronting Japan, which nation, owing -to pressure of population and a totally inadequate area of cultivatable land, is faced with four alternatives—namely, (i) To obtain relief by emigration and/or territorial expansion; (2) increase her exports of manufactured goods to finance imports of the necessary foodstuffs and raw materials; (3) adopt a policy of race suicide—i.e„ drastic ibirth control; (4) accept mass starvation. I am not Interested In "free trade theories." Free trade Is not a “theory,” but a vital economic principle, which must be given ultimate effect to In International relationships if civilisation is to be saved from disaster. The platitudes and shibboleths of politicians, with which they disguise their ineptitude, the obsolescent strategy and battlecries of a Marxian anti-capitalism, but obscure the real issue, and waste the precious time which is running out so swiftly.

Capitalism evolved as feudalism decayed in obedience to the demands of an awakening industrialism. Capitalism Is visably in its death agony, but within its disintegrating shell has matured its successor—an amorphous thing whose grip is upon the throats of every nation, but whose isalrap only we know. Against this enemy tiie obsolete xveapons of the "class war” —strike and sabotage—are useless. To effectively combat it xve must understand it's technique and expose the fundamental simplicity of the money system underlying the carefully fostered appearance of complexity, inculcating Into the mass of humanity the basic principles upon which a stable democracy must rest. To incite a people to revolution today is to play into our enemy’s hand. Gone are the days xvhen a desperate mob, armed with scythes and pitchforks, could prevail. Those who preach that do-ctrlne would lead the people ’to helpless, pitiful slaughter. Education and organisation are the only ways to success.

When wo possess a sufficiently strong body of opinion in the nation, with a disciplined understanding of not only the faults of the present system, but a clear grasp of the essentials of a new and better one, wo shall see our goal clear before us. Fascist and Communist alike will but lead us into the wilderness. Tho Fascist is but the political expression ,of financial despotism, and the Communist would bemuse us with the. Marxian strategy of the “class war" against a bygone Capitalism, or lead us to slaughter at the barricades. My desire is to indicate the way to world sanity and Christianity. It is mockery to pray "Thy kingdom come upon earth” when we pursue, or tolerate, a policy between nations which must in the end transform tho earth into a slaughterhouse. The production of "sweated” goods for export, in either Japan or any other -country, is duo to the vicious system which will not allow the people in Mint country to consume, directly or in exchange value, the goods they produce. We can maintain our standard of living in New Zealand, not by a system of hostile tariffs, which only react to restrict our choice, increase our costs and impoverish our exporters, but by Ihe reorganisation of our economic and monetary system to enable our own people to consume, directly or indirectly, by exchange of exports, all which we produce. Thon our ports can be thrown wide open lo the goods of the world sent in exchange for our own surplus products. Obviously the more our foreign customers are willing lo give us in exchange value tiie higher our standard of living will be; we shall have realised that work is only a factor in the production of-guods, to be reduced by

the aid of machinery, and the -capitalisation of our soil and climate In products for exchange with other nations, who may, by reason of superior industrial or climatic advantages, be able to supply us with any article at less labour cost. Tiie weird doctrino that sought to obstruct the entry of “cheap” goods in order that our own people might have more "work" will we trust soon join Ihe “ fiat earth ’’ delusion as a philosophical curiosity, 1 realise that there are many other internal reforms needed lo place our internal economy on an even keel--1 agree with Air McMillan that ultimately Ihe ownership of all land, “asdistinct from 1 improvements” must be vested in the Slate as the common heritage of the generations yet to be. As the Mosaic law expressed it, "For the land is Mine and ye are strangers and sojourners with Me.” The point at issue between Mr McMillan and myself is one of tiie relative importance of this reform and the means whereby it is lo be given effect to. The position of Japan is a challenge ■lo world peace and Christianity. Tho alternatives presented are clear-cut| and inescapable. Unless by some miracle statesmen are Inspired withj the necessary vision ami courage, Kagawa’s -countrymen and ours will be overwhelmed in a world war of which none may foretell tiie end.—l am, etc., J. 11. FUR.XISsj. Uuawaro, June 11, 1930*