16 DECEMBER 1932, Page 18

Political talks for the New Year include. I understand, a

series by Professor H. J. Laski. It is entitled " What is the State ? " Professor Laski's talks will be followed by debates on various controversial political subjects, in which the speaker Will speak for fifteen minutes, his critic for ten minutes, and the speaker again for five minutes in reply. Sir Oswald Mosley and Miss Megan Lloyd George will debate on " Fascism " ; Mr. Maurice Dobb and Mr. Douglas Jerrold on " Communism " ; and Sir Edward Grigg and Mr. R. S. Lambert on " Imperialism." If the scripts are not watered down too much this should be an engaging series. I suppose it is too much to hope that the speakers might be allowed to

speak impromptu. * * *