Mr. Sherwood Speaks

An extremely interesting address on a current topicwas given by Mr. Dry Sherwood, a young London accountant, at the first meeting of the Free Discussions Club last Wednesday; but the poor quality of the ensuing discussionand questions showed a lack ofintelligent interest and appreciation.

Mr. Sherwood's diagnosis of the causes of the present tension contained two fundamental points: first the domestic discontent in every country due to poor living conditions. This lad to absolutism in the state since individuals would renounce their "natural right" or anything else in order to obtain better living conditions. Dictatorship becomes unpopular when credits are low and seeks a diversion in foreign wars. Second, there is an unnecessary bitterness in international relations due to the struggle over markets. Both these points are economic and the remedy lies in the world's monetary system which suffers chronically from a shortage of purchasing power. Mr. sherwood sday that the incomes distributed throughtout industry are not sufficient to buy the products of the system. The obvious result is comparative over-production and unemployment.

Italy and Germany.

Mr. Sherwood then substantiated his thesis by referring first Italy and then to Germany, and finally to the present armaments race. In Italy in 1922 things were in a bad way, Mussolini organised the state, built bridges, roads and railways. He provided employment and Italy prospered. These works have been finished and credit has run short. Italy is left with over a million unemployed. The position in Germany is parallel. Mussolini has attempted to create a diversion of attention is Abyssinia. If he succeeds he can create employment for the next 50 years. He can impose on Abyssinia such western blessings as a National Debt, a system of taxes, and even Mussolini.

Mr. Sherwood apeals to New Zealand where almost alone a spirit of optimism remains, where we have a new Government with new men to lead the way to peace by inaugurating a new system and thus save western civilisation from what may be its death blow.

The election of officers at the beginning of the meeting resulted as follows:—President, R. E. Jack; Treasurer, J. S. Harding; Committee, Miss Sybil Williams, Miss Monica Robertson, D. N. Hall, D. R. Currie.