Correspondence with John Atkinson Hobson (1858-1940), social theorist and economist, relating to discussion of Hobson's travel arrangements for a visit to Africa as a correspondent for the Manchester Guardian [on the second Boer War], with reference to salary and to articles and reviews by Hobson on subjects including education and Sketches and Studies in South Africa by W.J. Knox Little. Also included is a letter from Hobson's wife, Florence, relating to concern over difficulties in communication with Hobson in Africa, and a letter of introduction for Hobson from Scott to Cartwright [unknown.]
There is discussion of the debate over the right to veto of the House of Lords [relating to the People's Budget], and a proposed referendum on the subject, and an article and pamphlet on the subject by Hobson. There is also discussion of the use of referendums, and of an article by Hobson explaining the mechanisms of the process, rather than a statement of the case for their use, and a request by Scott that Hobson write a notice on a pamphlet on referendums, with discussion of the power of wealth for campaigns and campaign literature. There is correspondence relating to Hobson's membership of the referendum society, and Scott's views on the use of referendums on matters relating to finance.
There is discussion of articles for the Manchester Guardian by Hobson on the [national] budget with relation to taxes, on a proposed appeal for [war relief] for Germany, with discussion of potential useful organisations, on the Dawes plan, on co-operation between the Liberal and Labour parties, and also a request from Scott that Hobson conduct an enquiry into unemployment, with reference to the impact of trade, for the Manchester Guardian. There is also discussion of the potential employment of Magirshack as a diplomatic correspondent for the Manchester Guardian.
There is correspondence between Hobson and E.T. Scott, relating to discussion of a proposal for an international economic conference to consider reparations, tariffs and monetary policy. Also included is correspondence relating to discussion of and articles by Hobson on free trade, links between the financial situation, the gold standard and unemployment, the economies of an unemployment development loan, wage cuts and wage rises with relation to unemployment, banking policy and its impact on the financial crisis in 1931, and a series of articles on the larger aspects of world economics, with relation to the financial crisis.
GDN/A/H69/35 is an obituary for Hobson in the [Manchester Guardian], 1940.