BRITAIN’S FUTURE

Grey River Argus, 26 March 1943, Page 2

BRITAIN’S FUTURE

CHURCHILL’S PROPOSALS

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l LONDON, March 24

Mr Churchill’s speech has given <i vigorous stir to the political pot which has been steadily-simmering since, the publication of the Beveridge report, and its debate in »the Commons. It is on domestic issues that there is most discussion at present. There are three main points on which interest is focussed: Firstly, that Mr Churchill made it quite clear that he intends to remain in politics after the wiar, which is contrary 1.0 the previous ideas that he would retire after leading the country to victory. Secondly, many feel that while Mr Churchill supported the ideas of the Beveridge Plan he indicated that nothing may, actually be done until after the war. It is observed that there are likely to be serious repercussions of this inference when the Labour Party hold its Whitsun conference; thirdly, that the four-year-plan will have to be presented to the country by a National Government comprising the best men of all parties who are willing to serve. This envisages new political alignments. The fact that these points are seized on for comment rather than the broader international issues -in Mr Churchill’s speech reflects heavily on the charged political atmosphere. The background to this is that Parliament has long outlived its allotted span There has been increasing restiveness in recent months at the political truce in which when a seat became vacant it was given without opposition to members of the party which previously held it. Dissatisfaction began to grow when Independents forced by-elections successfully. There has also been strong opposition in both the Labour and the Liberal Parties to the Government’s attitude regarding the Beveridge plan, causing internal dissension in both parties. It has been observed that Mr Churchill’s speech was partly designed to discourage discussion of post-war policy for some time, but the three points mentioned have raised so much speculation that discussion is being stimulated instead 'of subdued.

One of the chief points is that many are of the opinion that a large part of the reconstruction programme

must be passed in law before peace. It is a general opinion that in some ways the speech will have a steadying (influence. Others think it will be highly provocative, but the fact remains that as far as domestic mat-

ters- are concerned it was almost overdue for restlessness had oeen growing regarding future policy. Mr Churchill's statement now provides a chopping block for constructive discussion.