“BRITAIN ALL RIGHT”

Evening Star, Issue 25684, 7 January 1946, Page 8

“BRITAIN ALL RIGHT”

MR HERBERT MORRISON'S VIEWS FACING UP TO DIFFICULT TRANSITION PERIOD OTTAWA. January 5. Mr Herbert Morrison arrived “ for a quick fact-finding expedition in Canada’ and the United States.” Speaking to the PresSj he said: “Do not worry about Britain. She is all right in spirit and metally, and, full of courage and vigour, is determined to make a success of the transition period from war to peace. We will get through all right and prove we can run parliamentary democracy with an ordered programme. We know we have to look alive and get busy, for this is a pretty hot world.” Mr Morrison _ added that the situation in Britain is tight, mostly because of labour and dollar shortages, but as more men are . demobilised the labour shortage would improve, and it was hoped to maintain a substantial degree of full employment. If and when a settlement was reached with Canada and the United States, the food and general import situation would be a little freer. The ißritish people fundamentally understood the situation. They knew it was better to pass through a limited period of transition starting tight to keep things on. an orderly basis, and develop the export trade so as to be able to import and expand gradually. “There is no austerity for austerity’s sake. If there were, there would be a revolt. Our people would never-stand for regimentation as such. The free functioning of democracy is when a citizen can tell his Government to go to the devil, and we intend to keep it that way.” Mr Morrison explained that he came to North America because he wanted a better knowledge of what was going on there and how people were thinking. so that he could contribute a substantial opinion when Canadian and American relations were discussed in London. He is spending eight days in Canada and two days in Washington. where he will broadcast to the nation. He will then leave for New York to board a shin for England.