Greymouth Evening Star. MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1946. Socialism in Practice

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 June 1946, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. MONDAY, JUNE 3, 1946. Socialism in Practice

way and another in Britain to-day, many illusions are going l out of the window. The 1945 General Election was

Avon on promises. The Labour Party promised the British electorate a new world —a world in which undue,privilege of the few would be abolished for the good of the many and a world in which security of employment and security in time of adversity and in a man’s declining years would be guaranteed by the State.

As was remarked by the special London correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association in a recent cable message, the note of criticism of Britain s Labour Government, which has been increasingly discernible during the past few months, is tending to heighten. Whether it will have a permanent, damaging effect is not yet certain, but as the end of Labour’s first year of office approaches the balance-sheets are already being cast and, in domestic affairs.particularly, it is being said that the total does, not check up with © J the election promises. First Things First ?

A particular feature of the Labour Party’s election propaganda was its promise to nationalise key industries. It has proceeded apace with its plans despite grave warnings issued by economic authorities who foresaw where such a. policy of rapid disruption of industry would lead. Its efforts have resulted only in confusion at a time when the country is laced with a political famine and a grave dearth of housing. In such circumstances first things should have been placed first, Not so with Labour. Its nationalisation programme must proceed, no matter what the cost. In order to bring about its radical changes, it has slowed down the wheels of industry at a time when the maximum production of machinery is required lor bread-and-butter purposes.

There is no doubt that among the British people the world food shortage is appreciated. According to the Press Association correspondent, however, the general feeling is that the position has been mishandled by the nation’s leaders and that the sacrifice demanded has been, disproportionate. It is evident also that the war-weary British public desires to return to a freer way'of life, with more houses, more clothing and freedom from controls and restrictions. Labour promised more houses, more food and more clothing. It may, however, fairly claim that it has not been entirely responsible for the continuation of short commons.

Labour also promised social security. The picture it drew was a rosy one. What the working man is beginning to realise now, however, is that he is going to do most of the paying for his social betterment. The average New Zealander could have warned him of that. As in this Dominion, so in (Britain, it is on lhe weekh wage-earner and shopping housewife that the main burden of paying lor social security for the wage-earner falls. This has upset the view once prevalent among LettWingers that the redistribution of wealth was "a simple matter of “soaking” the rich. In fact, however, it is more a question of creating new wealth by hard work, initiative ami, most of all, by the goodwill and co-opera.tion of all classes of the community. It is no wonder that many illusions are going out of the window. Social Security Bill.

AVhile the first full-scale Budget introduced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Dr. Dalton, brought home to the Avorkmg man that it was not the rich or big business or inheritance duties but the British people—the man and wo.man in the street —who are going to pay for Britain s Socialism, he is also witnessing what most appear to him as another strange feature of Labour’s policy. The chairmen of the new nationalised industries are . men wearing peer’s coronets. The reason is ob vious. Whether they arc rich or poor, eleven Conservative —a horrible crime!they happen to be considered by the Socialist Government to be the best men foi. the top jobs. It is also a tribute to the ability with which these men, and others of their class, conducted major businesses under private enterprise, the system tha made Britain what she is.

Judging from statements by the Labour Government spokesmen, some 80 pel (.ent. of business in Britain is going to remain under private enterprise. Dr. Dalton ias stated that he is relying io a large ex on private enterprise for the success o- m production drive and,, therefore, for ie success of Britain’s present Socialist experiment. It must all be very puzzling to the Leftists.