BRITAIN’S PLIGHT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25161, 17 April 1947, Page 8

BRITAIN’S PLIGHT

Sir, —I have few memories of the world of 33 years ago, often referred to, wistfully, as “normal times.’’ My world is a world of two wars and a depression. As each crisis comes along we have people exhorting other people to tighten their belts, pull up their socks, get busy and amount to something. Such' effort would be all very well if it were aimed at reconstruction of the world so that our modern knowledge could produce the means of life instead of bombs. If the effort is merely to relieve the results of destructive policies it is not of much use. At the present time the de-industrial-isation policy in Germany is not only spreading disaster there but also draining the resources of Britain faster than we can pump them up. For light on Britain’s famous ordeal of “standing alone,” read “Light on Moscow” by D. N. Pritt, K.C., Penguin Books, 1939. —Yours, etc., • C. T. WILLIAMS. Kaiapoi, April 16, 1947.

Sir, —Your correspondent, C. T. Williams, seems perturbed at your efforts on behalf of the plight of Britain. Maybe he prefers to wrap himself in his own selfishness and hope that the rest of the world will go by. Your correspondent refers to the loafers and psrasites, but he forgot to mention the snails, who hide in their houses at the first sign of difficulties or unpleasant things; and he should remember that even the snails depend on moisture from the outside world if they would live. The voice of New Zealand may be small, but its sincere heart rnd its practical .help to the needy speak for themselves. I think that C. T. Williams is a lone wolf wailing, and his even smaller voice may be safely passed by unheeded.—Yours, etc., ANOTHER KAIAPOI READER. Kaiapoi, April 15. 1947.

Sir, —Uncritical adoration of Britain is unhealthy for any progress. Looking back on Britain’s loreign policy of imperialism and exploitation at the expense of humanity, one is not surprised at her present condition. Continuing recklessly after the First World War with the same disastrous foreign policy, she was rocked again with World War II; and now we have Mr Bevin and Mr Churchill, with the help of the United States Fascist Government, still upholding and championing imperialism in the East, against the interests and evolution of the common man. World War 111 looms in sight. The sad part is that the Dominions and colonies, spectators only of the foreign policy, have had to pour their wealth of manpower, money, and goods into the fray to save Britain from her own foolishness.— Yours, etc., • H S April 15, 1947.