PLEA TO BRITONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26542, 18 August 1947, Page 5

PLEA TO BRITONS

Mr Churchill’s Call For War-time Spirit OVERCOMING ECONOMIC CRISIS Rec. 10 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 17. “I say to those who wish to leave this country—-I am not speaking to individuals, because individuals may have special reasons—l say to v the mass of those who wish to leave this country: * stay here and fight it out,’ ” said Mr Churchill, broadcasting on the home service. He said he was shocked by the desire of Britons to emigrate. “ You read and are told that after two years of Socialist rule more than 500,000 of our people applied to emigrate to ‘Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and several hundred thousand more want to go to’the United States or South America. These must be among our most lively and active citizens in the prime of life who wish to go to some place where they can make the best for themselves and their children. This is happening while we are scouring Europe for 20,000 or 30,000 or more unfortunate displaced persons to swell our labour force. “If we work together with brains and courage as we did not long ago, we can make this country fit for all our people. Do not desert the old land. We cannot spare you. This Socialist attempt at conscription of labour as a condition of our country in peace-time is only a passing phase. Britain will rise again in all her strength and freedom,” he said.

Mr Churchill warned the nation that a lower standard of living and hunger and the dispersal or death of a large proportion of the population faced the people if they submitted to “totalitarian compulsion and regimentation.” Mr Churchill spoke from his home at Westerham, in Kent. He declared that his “ grief at the plight into which our country is falling ” forced him to broadcast. The country’s choice was between a system of competitive selection and a system of compulsion. He attacked “the altogether un-British conception of industrial ‘ conscription in peace-time,” which the Attlee Government had introduced. “ I am astounded that trade unions should be willing to countenance such degradation of the rights and status of the labouring man or woman,” he said. “Before such a departure from our British standards can be made in

peace-time, not only Parliament, but also the people must be consulted.” Mr Churchill said that if he had the power of the days of Dunkirk—with the most able and experienced Cabinet in the country which he would certainly gather—they would give promptly the decisions which were necessary, and he had no doubt that the British would survive. “It is only by personal effort, free enterprise, and ingenuity that 47,000,000 people can keep themselves alive on this island. “The only path to safety is to liberate the genius of the nation. You have not always distened to my warnings. Please pay good attention to this now. I offer you no easy passage—all will have to make an intense struggle for life. “ Instead of attacking capital, we will attack monopoly. Instead of imposing restrictions and controls, we will attack all kinds of restrictive practices. It is only by the path of freedom that Britain can win salvation.

Government’s Policy Attacked

(N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) Rec. 10.30 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 16. Some of the strongest and most forthright criticisms of the Government'that have yet been made in its two years of office are expressed this week-end by the opinion-forming weekly journals. In an article headed: “Moral Crisis in Downing Street,” the Economist says' that second thoughts about the Government handling of the latest phase of the economic crisis are no more cheerful after the lapse of a week than those provoked by the Prime Minister’s speech in the House of Commons. " Indeed, in one important respect the crisis has changed its character and become more ominous in process. Last week it was a matter of needs and resources. Now it has become a political crisis, and a matter of confidence. Then the chief anxiety was whether the Government had a policy. Now there is a growing i anxiety as to whether the country has a Government. "The Labour Government and the Labour Party now find it impossible any longer to conceal from the world the fact that they are so unsure of themselves and . so riven with differences that their power of decision, never very large outside those Elysian realms where nationalisation schemes are drawn up, has almost disappeared.” The Economist adds that the whole

course they pursued this yeJir long ago pointed to the conclusion that Cabinet could not make up its mind—but those who wished the Government well resisted the conclusion, since it implied such monstrous dereliction of duty. But last week’s performance prohibits any other verdict. The journal notes that, with the exception of the duty-bound Daily Herald, not a single paper had anything good to say of the Government. Even The Times, the Manchester Guardian and the News Chronicle, hitherto most friendly to the Government and Mr Attlee personally, have been most outspoken in their condemnation of both. The Economist says that the Government has thrown away a priceless asset. They, have allowed, and even encouraged, the public to be keyed up to a pitch of rueful but resolute, action, to get ready for tears and toil. The nation was waiting for the word of command. “ The mood was punctured and deflated, and it will be very difficult ever to re-create it. The public will be very hard from now on to be convinced of the reality of the crisis Ministers will henceforth have to fight against the tide of distrust.” The Government, it says, has lost control of the situation, and until someone in Downing street acquires the moral courage to demand definite action, the nation will continue to slither rudderless from a weak expedient to an unworkable compromise.

“ Timid and Unconvincing Approach ”

The Tribune, which was formerly edited by Mr Aneurin Bevan, declares that it was with a sense of frustration rather than of the crisis, that. Parliament adjourned, and with lingering doubts about the ability and resolution of the Government to master the grave economic problems before the nation. While dismissing any alternative policy the Conservatives might have in mind, it continues, unfortunately, the measures so far announced by the Government fail lamentably short of anything that could be called the real solution. The Government’s general approach to the economic. crisis, it describes as: " Vague, timid, unconvinced and unconvincing.” It advocates " a more determined Socialist policy at this critical moment” and declares that there are many signs that the Government has lost a great deal of middle class support, not because of too much Socialism, but too little. It supports the nationalisation of the steel industry and is of' the opinion that courageous leadership, will and can alone inspire the working class and hold or regain the confidence of the middle class. / The New Statesman and Nation, another “Left” journal, says that the

closing debates before the recess showed only too clearly that the Govemment was still unable either to unfold the details of its plan or even Socialist justification for the Supplies and Services Bill. While saying that accusations of totalitarian ambitions were, palpably wide of the mark, it adds that far more telling criticism is that the Government, having no plan, is advertising emergency regulations as a substitute. The Bill, it adds, is a dangerous precedent, a tool which is commendable if the present Government does the job, but one which might become a deadly weapon if picked up by reactionary administration. It is justified by the crisis which calls for more, and not less action, but it imposes on Cabinet a greater responsibility than ever before. The Spectator, which is a supporter of the Right, says that from one point of view the Ministers have good reason to be satisfied with their situation. The Labour Party is as strong as at. the time of the general election, it has not lost a by-election, and there is no reason why the wage-earners’ vote should go anywhere but to Labour. It adds, however, that there is little impression of a firm hand at the wheel or clear vision on the/ bridge.