THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY JANUARY 8, 1947. Truman's Philosophy

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1947, Page 4

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY JANUARY 8, 1947. Truman's Philosophy

President Truman filled an unusual role when he addressed the United States Congress yesterday; it was the first occasion in 27 years when a Democrat President had addressed a Republican Congress.

The fact that the President was able to speak as he did, and that

Congress evidently gave him an

attentive and encouraging hearing, provided refutation of the widelyoxpressed contention, following upon the overwhelming of the Democrat Party at the recent elections, that the President should resign rather than face an unfriendly Congress.

There was really no reason why the President, though a Democrat Parly nominee, should withdraw from the "White House, and his address to Congress emphasised that in his opinion unity cf parties in the national interest is all-important at this stage of the country’s existence.

Power to mould the future of the nation lay in the joint hands of the President and Congress, said Mr Truman, who added that if the right course were found and courageously taken a state of unprecedented wellbeing could be achieved in spile of difficulties.

This may nave mere than a suspicion of rhetoric, but it undoubtedly expresses a sentiment which should move leaders in every country, lor it is abundantly clear that the coop-

j eration of all sections of a communj ity, big or small, is a fundamental requirement if the best is to be I made of available opportunities.

| Mr Truman dwelt upon this when | referring to problems confronting the | United States, especially those which j might be created by an apparent I nave of prosperity.

Speaking of the economic condition of the country, the President said the national production of goods and services was 50 per cent higher than in any pre-war year, national revenue was higher than in any peacetime year, arid the American standard of living was higher than it had ever been.

These statements must naturally have cheered the American public, strengthening arguments in support oi removal of wartime controls, as well as supporting the President's contention that private enterprise must be given the greatest possible ireedom to expand the country's economy.

This bright picture, however, was shown in company with another eT more sober colouring, in which the President a warning that prosperity demanded the exercise of caution, for there was a possibility that prices might be raised beyond consumers’ purchasing power.

As everybody knows, increased cost of living without commensurate increase of revenue means reduction of financial resources, especially so l'ar as people on fixed incomes are concerned. Attempts to allow income to catcli up to increased cost of living commences the spiral whien sooner or later brings collapse. Realisation of this fact led Mr Truman to give advice which should be more generally given, when ho appealed to industry not only lo hoid the line on existing prices, but to make reductions wherever profits justified such action. At the same time he urged labour to refrain from making demands for unjustified increases in wages which would force up price levels. It was at this stage that President Truman put his finger’upon a vital point in the make-up ol every community: the need for understanding and fair dealing as between parties to any contract. Given wholehearted observance of this spirit, troubles which infest the body politic would fold their tents. Unfortunately, mankind has not yet evidenced universal allegiance to the Golden Rule. This calls for disciplinary measures designed to protect the weak against the strong. In Ibis connection, there is a good deal to be said for President Truman’s suggested setting up of a commission empowered lo evolve a system whereby discipline, decisive but not unduly irksome, might be enforced in the United States.