Douglas Social Credits

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7282, 9 October 1933, Page 5

Douglas Social Credits

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Mr. Ross States that money is a medium of exchange, but that it also has a value. If money were gold his claim would be justified, for gold has a value like all other metals—iron, lead, brass, etc. Money, however, to-day consists almost solely of paper which is practically valueless in itself and merely represents an easy means of barter of goods and services between peoples and nations. Its only value is the goods and services produced or rendered. Eliminate these goods and services and you get the real value of money, Mr. Ross says that not only is there “not a shortage” of purchasing power, but quite the contrary. That, of course, can only mean that there is too much, and I have never heard anyone make such a claim hitherto. Quoting millionaires and unequal distribution of wealth does not detract one iota from the virtues of the Douglas proposals, which aim at securing that those who produce goods and services, and those, also, who by reason of the wonderful march of mechanism and science have been displaced by such in the producing system, should be maintained in full measure by the machine which relieves them from tho daily grind for existence. Douglas social credit does not aim at “pulling down” those at the top, but

by a perfectly sane, practical system, to raiso the standard of living of all «hose who need uplift. No one could claim that there is any need or desire, or even a chance to lift up. higher those who have already more than they know what to do with. In effect, Douglas says: “Let them keep what they have and add to it if it gives them pleasure,” but the potential wealth is more than enough to ensure that every man, woman and child can be supplied with everything they need without stint and what does it matter to Mr. Loss or I, who gets the surplus. I would like Mr. Boss to think again over his illustration of the factory employing 101 workers and discharging 100 of them because a machine has been installed which can do all the work with the aid of one worker only. He says the total “purchasing power” remains the same but goes into the pocket of the owner of the machine. Ho has certainly got his thinking machine somewhat out of gear. “Production” remains the same. “Purchasing power” wa3 cut off when he ceased to distribute it by way of wages to his potential customers. If he sells he can only sell it to himself and his one employee. Here is where the plain commonsense of tho Douglas proposals would have come into operation. Purchasing credits would have been issued to the displaced workers to enable the goods to be consumed, which would be better for all parties, owner and worker alike. Douglas social credit is worth while investigating with an unbiassed mind. — I am, etc., “MANCUNIAN.” Palmerston North, Oct. 7.