WORLD CONDITIONS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 464, 23 February 1933, Page 6

WORLD CONDITIONS

N.Z. FORTUNATE BETTER TIMES MUST FOLLOW IN WAKE OF SLUMP. ADDRESS BY MR. T. C. LIST. The relation of Rotary to world conditions was the subject of an address given by Rotarian T. C. List, of New Plymoqth, yesterday to the members of the Rotorua Rotary Club and a number of visiting newspaper men at the club's weekly luncheon which was postponed from its u'sual date (Monday) in order that Press Conference delegates might attend. Many Rotarians, said Mr. List, contended that the hour had come for Rotary to speak although in the past it had not been the practice for Rotarians to act in concert but more as individuals. However, there was app'arently a growing desire from Rotarians for the movement to take some part in the attempt at the solution of the world's problems. As a band of men in all walks of life, it was probable that Rotarians were in the best position of anyone. to speak, for these, said Mr. List, were without question critical times. In fact there had been no more critical a period in the history of the lives of most of those present. There was a great opportunity for leadership, and though Rotary did not, in practice, interfere, there was a precedent available when the British Rotarians had met the delegates to the Lausanne Conferences and had done their utmost to create a better atmosphere for the nations to work in. That they had been successful was shown by the rapprochement which came about between Germany and France over the war debts problems and but for the Rotary efforts these conferences would not have been the success they were. War Debts Question. j Touching upon the War Debts question, Mr. List remarlced that it appeared significant that it was an American Rotarian who had requested Rotary to speak on the debts and it was evidently realised that there could be no progress until the war debts question was settled. The American view was entirely different from that held in England for many Americans considered it a tactical blunder when England had offered to reduce the. amounts to her debtor nations if America would do likewise to her. The Americans had adopted the attitude that England was being altruistic at America's expense and the Balfour Note had rather acted as a deterrent than as an assistance. Mr. List spoke of the millions of illiterates in America and detailed the prophecy that it would need two or three years suffering before the average people of the U.S.A. realised that the reduction of debts was necessary. Men and Machines. D ealing with the question of unemployment, the speaker gave instances of the replacement of men by machinery and how, in various industries, machines were doing the work of large numbers of men. In the boot industry there were machines which would turn out 1250 pairs of boots a day and one automatic machine would displace 800 men. A car had been invented which would run for 350,000 miles without overhaul and would last for fifty years but it had been suppressed for it would have ruined the motor industry. There were other similar inventions. In conclusion, Mr. List stressed the fact that New Zealand was in a most fortunate position compared with other countries and Rotarians should disseminate the necessity for faith, hope, courage and industry for better times were sure to come as day followed night. Mr. E. G. Guy moved a resolution of thanks to the speaker for his interesting address.