WITH NEW HOPE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26659, 3 January 1948, Page 5

WITH NEW HOPE

PAST NOT MOURNED BRITAIN FACES THE FUTURE "LONG HARD ROAD AHEAD " From A. W. Mitchell, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent ;*■ LONDON, Jan. 1. Britain greeted the new year with the hope that it will be the turning point in her post-war fortunes. There is no mourning for 1947, a year of economic crisis, political recriminations, severe winter, summer drought and poor diet, with more people leaving the country than at any time since 1929, and with the most people in prison since 1913. In spite of this immediate and glum background, traditional cheerfulness and hope have been more spontaneous than might have been expected. Though Sir Stafford Cripps has warned that a “ long, hard road lies ahead,” and though it is also forecast that more hard work and discomfort will be thp general lot in l the coming year, and that Britain cannot escape the £300,000,000 trade deficit, yet the feeling abroad to-day is not one of unrelieved pessimism. There is a general theme being repeated that things are on the mend.

The present mood is not to dwell overlong on the difficulties ahead, but rather to point to the improved coal and steel production and the rising level of exports. There is a feeling that Britain has had for too long a diet of woe, and that her future fare must contain more slices of success. Thus, though three of the worst months of winter lie ahead, the thought of another fuel crisis, forecast only a few months ago, is now never—well, hardly ever—mentioned Emphasis is on the rising coal production and belief that the miners will maintain the figures of their traditional pre-Christmas output, and that industry will be able to carry on unimpeded until the spring. Though Britons need more food, and there appears little immediate prospect of increased rations, a hopeful note is being sounded about the new trade treaties being made by the Government to add more calories to the daily meals. British agriculture is being looked to for more food. Though the Labour Government was being bitterly criticised only a short time ago, there is now a good deal of comment by Right Wing newspapers as well as Left that it has weathered the storm and is now sailing more comfortably. Of its leaders, the man who commands the most national respect and stands highest in the public esteem is undoubtedly Sir Stafford Cnpps, Who has never flinched from warning the nation of the difficulties ahead and of the remedies that must be taken to overcome them.

Some Cabinet Ministers, who until recently were being criticised for inefficiency, notably Mr Shinwell, appear to have reinstated themselves with the public. And many of the shortcomings of Mr Dalton as Chancellor appear to have been overlooked in the sympathy and admiration he aroused by his behaviour in facing up lo the Budget “ leak,” which cost him his post. Few believe he will remain permanently out of public office. In the season of traditional goodwill the Government appears to start the new year in much better shape than might at one time have been anticipated, and many of its supporters are warmly approving the nationalisation of railways and canals, taken over on New Year’s Day.

Such is the prevailing mood. At the same time, there is probably less enthusiasm over the poor housing figures and over the registration of. employment order, which comes into force on Monday and* requires registration of street traders and “ persons r.ot gainfully employed or occupied.’ There has also been much adverse comment on the decision of the Trades Union Congress to oppose the pegging of wages at present levels and the removal of food subsidies. The basis of this comment is the fear of growing inflation and the rise in the price levels of Brittfh products, which Sir Stafford Cripps has said Britain should Pl At Home inflation and the rising cost cf living, coupled with the drive . for exports and the trade deficit, are expected to be among Britain s mam problems in the year ahead. In international affairs the main preoccupation is expected to arise out of the failure of the Foreign' Ministers Conference and-the stemming .of Communism. • ~ „ .’TV It says much for the steadiness and resilience of the British people that m the face of such preoccupations they can begin the new year in a spirit of cheerfulness and hope. But that is the mood.