a loaded document
DO not question the need I
for more, and more effective, aid for world development— witness the advertisement in the Guardian of November 18, an advertisement not very well supported by Catholics. I do not therefore enjoy questioning publicly the text of the proposed National Sign-in. But in the view of a number of people, tens of thousands of parishioners—and others—are being invited to sign a "loaded" document. as a statement of their "beliefs."
How many signatories will know what is the so-called "international financial and trading system" whioh "they believe can and must be changed"? Changed for what? A totalitarian system (controlled by whom? or, as is happening already, a steadily developing process in the interests of peaceful and constructive development, in spite of the number of disruptive influences at work? The sponsors have not made it clear what they have in mind.
Do the terms of international trade invariably "discriminate in favour of the rich"? How many signatories have the slightest knowledge on this subject, as opposed to having had to listen to derogatory references to "the terms of international trade" made by demagogues with particular axes to grind and particular political aims which. if openly admitted. are abhorrent to many of their listeners?
With respect to Mr. Robert Kahn, justice is not solely the right of "the world's poor." It is the right of everyone. But I question if it is served, or if peaceful development will be achieved, through employing innuendo and unworthy propaganda in the name of Christianity. Maj.-Gen. D. A. B. Clarke Christian Association of
Business Executives.