CONTROLS AND PRODUCTION

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26018, 23 January 1950, Page 7

CONTROLS AND PRODUCTION

“No nation of equal size, no society of equal civilisation has ever been in time of peace in the economic peril in which we stand. We do not grow enough food at home to keep ourselves alive, nor have we many of the raw materials which we need to earn our living. “I am sure that, if we act wisely, we can make our way through our dangers, as we have done before; but if, through political thoughtlessness or wrong guidance, we make grave mistakes and consume our strength in domestic quarrels and class wars, consequences may descend upon us the like of which we have never yet suffered or even imagined. “The main reason why we are unable to earn our living and make our way in the world is because we are not allowed to do so. The whole enterprise. contrivance, and genius of the British nation is being increasingly paralysed by war-time restricuons from which all other free people nave shaken themselves clear, but which are still imposed on our people name of a mistaken political Philosophy and a largely obsolete mode of thought. Our Government is

the only one glorying in controls for controls’ sake.

“I am sure that a Parliament resolved to set the nation free would soon enable it to earn its own living m the world. I am sure, on the other hand, that the Socialist policy of equalising misery and organising scarcity, instead of allowing diligence, self-reliance, and ingenuity to produce abundance, has only to be prolonged to be fatal to our British island home.

“The scheme of society for which the Conservatives and the National Liberals stand is the establishment and maintenance of a basic standard of life and labour below which a man or woman, however old or weak, shall not be allowed to fall. The food they receive, the price they have to pay for basic necessities, the homes they live in. and their employment must be the first care of the State, and must have priority over all other peace-time requirements.

“Once we have made that standard secure, we propose to set the nation free as quickly as possible from . the controls and restrictions which how beset our daily life. Above the basic standard, there will be free opportunities to rise. Everyone will be allowed to make the best of himself.