ECONOMIC HISTORY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 558, 10 January 1929, Page 9

ECONOMIC HISTORY

Y.W.C.A. CONFERENCE ADDRESS YESTERDAY’S PROCEEDINGS An interesting feature of yesterday s programme at the Y.W.C.A. Conference at Marton were two addresses delivered by Mr. D. O. Williams, MA, of Massey Agriculture College, Palmerston North. In both addresses his subject was the economic life of the modern world. He first traced its gradual evolution nora the crude and simple life of primitive man through its several stages of clan, village and national economy till the present slate of world exchange and interdependence of nations. He outlined the changes which have i taken place in industry in modern i times, describing the simple cottage crafts and manufactures, and showing the changes that have resulted from steam power the specialisation of the present factory system. In the second address Mr. Williams dwelt on the outstanding economic problems that worry all to-day. The economic future of the British Empire, the relations of Western and tropical countries, the importance of the oilfields of the world, and the economic problems of the countries of China and Japan were dealt with. The interdependence of nations was again brought out from the aspect of low wages in one country affecting economic conditions in others. During the evening Dr. Elizabeth Brownell, Ph. D.. gave an interesting talk on the life of girls in Central Europe, while Miss A. Mondrieff gave a picture, of life in China as seen by her, and Miss M. Cole gave her impressions of the recent Pan-Pacific Conference. Vespers conducted by Mrs. J. Sutherland Ross brought the session to a close.