The Grey River Argus WEDNESDAY, March 20, 1940. SIDE ISSUES OF WAR.

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1940, Page 6

The Grey River Argus WEDNESDAY, March 20, 1940. SIDE ISSUES OF WAR.

This, like the last Avar, will mean great economic, if not also great social, changes. Collaboration between Britain and France has gone to such lengths that it is doubtful whether much of it Avill not remain permanent. Colonial co-operation is the latest instance, but financial and commercial unity is already considerable. It stands to reason that Europe must become more of a unit, or else become relatively a back wash. Yet it is doubtful if mere lipservice to the slogans of democracy will afford a basis for closer unity. Even Herr Hitler, according to the New York version of his peace ideas, proposes a, Central European Customs Union. The Western Powers might hardly relish’ one excluding their commerce, if that is what is meant. He also envisages a sort of tutelage for the smaller nations, though not on the same lines as that practised under the. inept League of Nations. It is rather a regional demarcation that the Germans suggest, recalling their preference for bilateral political pacts. That the Allies should now give their Avar or peace-aims more precise definition seems, contrary to the dictum of some super-patriots, a reasonable proposition. It could scarcely do any harm, since the enemy has been given to understand that he cannot expect to remain dominant over territories that do not rightly belong to him, and that he holds by conquest alone. Tt is, hoAvever, issues other than political Avhich will arise from the Avar that must claim much attention after the war. Germany has probably a case economically for consideration. Because she defied tin 1 practices of cosmopolitan capitalism, especially in paying neither interest nor principal on loans, she enlisted the enmity of the powerful interests which are identified Avith banking and lending,, and her trade thereby suffered enormously. .Indeed, the economic blockade is at present the Avcapon most actively being employed against her. It is nevertheless doubtful Avhether any vestige of the old time “freedom” in trade, commerce and industry Avill remain if this Avar is not soon ended. Governments to-day beg no pardons anywhere in regimenting capita’ no less than labour. It is ea.'fy to foresee a greater endeavour than even before to institute political or social regulation of all industry in future. It even is hard to see what arguments monopolies in particular will be able to advance against subjection to the interests of the State, even though the Allies to-day point to the excesses to Avhich state control in Germany has gone. As remarked after the last Avar, if efficiency is greater in major industries when they are regulated in time of Avar, Avhy should the contrary hold good in time of peace? Of course, the circumstances are radically different, but even so, peace nowadays in the political or military sense does not mean peace on the economic front. But this war may give rise to innovations in relation to the economy of the individual no less remarkable than in that of the combine or the joint stock company. It is surely significant that in Britain it. should have entailed a major Avar to bring recognition in legislation of the principle of the family allowance. Though' the casualties of Avarfare may have hast

eiieci this change, its advent ought to have been much earlier in Britain. It is better recognised in this crisis .than before that the family is a source of national strength, and that the working class is the main fountain of that strength. A few shillings a -week for dependents is the extent to which the principle of allowances is now being given effect, but it is no great step from that to the

principle of family endowment. The Prime Minister of this country, who to-day lies on a. bed of sickness, will be remembered not only because of his part in establishing the principle of social security here, but also because he was the first Empire . statesman to broach the same thing at the Imperial Conference. The cart may have come before the horse, but if the British war time expedient of family allowances has any significance, it is that social security is of the essence of successful imperial policy. Incidentally though it is by the London Stock Exchange, another war time innovation of no little meaning is the fixation of the market price of securities issued by the State. Who said, let money find its own level? The free-traders of other days must be turning in their graves! Certainly this war will make more difference than to spike, if possible, the guns of aggression.