A NEW DEMOCRACY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 119, 16 November 1936, Page 13

A NEW DEMOCRACY

LORD ALLEN'S ADVOCACY

A new order of democracy which would call out the zeal and service of its' adherents comparable in vigour with Communism and Nazism was advocated by Lord Allen of Hurtwood, speaking at Southampton, says the "Manchester Guardian." . - „ To establish the new order they would have to begin with the child. Less examination rooms were needed and more' spaces for play and the chance to learn how to live useful lives. Nursery schools were necessary. Measures he advocated for this new order included:

Groups of mutual education; Advantage to be taken of the educational facilities offered by the 8.8.C. Vigiliant criticism over popular newspapers, protecting themselves against the dishonour which was now imposed upon them by exaggerated headlines, half-truths, and emotional vendettas in propaganda. People would join more and more in the activities of civic and village life so that they might increase the area of voluntary service—the democratic alternative to compulsory service seen abroad. Its members would insist upon both Government and Opposition honouring the electorate with a finer type of politics. "From the Government they would ask. leadership, not a slow-going dribble of proposals designed to win the support of the least thoughtful section of the electors. From the Opposition such an Order of Democrats would demand not only vigilant criticism, but helpful cooperation. They would, above all things, insist upon there being less meanness and invective in political advocacy. They would emphasise that it is the business of all politiciansGovernment and Opposition alike—to create confidence, and not to stir up ugly passions.

"There is no doubt that democracy can prove far more effective than any dictatorship. Britain is the country that can show the world how this may be done."