LABOUR’S ELECTION BUDGET.

Evening Star, Issue 23950, 30 July 1941, Page 12

LABOUR’S ELECTION BUDGET.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—That enlightening “ official ” organ of the Labour Party—tho ‘ Standard —has produced a picture entitled ‘ Christmas in July.’ In it wo see what is presumably a Russian sleigh and driver all done up in furs and knee boots complete. The animal pulling the vehicle is not disclosed; it may be either a horse, a reindeer, or a donkey. The background is a wide expanse of frozen snow. There is no othew evidence of life or of vegetation; it is the picture of a vast snowy wilderness. The sleigh driver, whose name is probably the Russian title for “ Mr Hope,” is bringing a load of various small parcels which bear labels reading “ money for family men,” “ benefits for the aged.” “ children’s charter,” surprise for taxpayers,” a larger parcel labelled “ Budget,” and some things which, have the appearance of guns, a miniature tank, and a toy aeroplane. The conception of the artist is puzzling. The title ‘Christmas in July ’ envisages one of the few changes in our social calendar remaining to be attempted by tho Labour Government. But why resort to the sleigh as a means of conveyance? Is this not the Government which promised that soon after its accession to power and authority every worker should be able to own and drive a motor car or a Ford ? It is impossible to judge from this picture whether the driver is driving out of a wilderness or driving in. It could quite conceivably he a picture of aid going to Russia, but then that idea would not coincide with the nature of the, parcels—if they are true to label. The one outstanding feature of this artistic triumph is the desolate waste of frozen earth through which some animal is drawing its load. Is it the picture of where wo are, or is it an indication of that Utopian future to which we are being led? It is informative to examine this curious picture of our outlook under Socialism. —I am, etc., John Gilpin. July 29.