“FORWARD TO CHAOS”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27040, 26 March 1949, Page 8

“FORWARD TO CHAOS”

Sir, —In a previous letter. I quoted figures showing British production of coal and houses under present Socialist planning is lower than pre-war under private enterprise. “ Rags ” accuses me of using only selected years to prove my case, and then proceeds to do the same himself to prove that production of coal was declining anyway under capitalism. He deliberately avoids the fact that there was an increase after 1932, and that what he calls a decline was not a decrease in productive ability, but a decrease in exports due to international difficulties and, later, to the war. The production was always equal to the demand, unlike the condition under " planning,” when in 1947 British industry was brought to a standstill by coal shortage. , On the subject of housing, Rags could find no reply except the old Socialist gag: "We haven't done it yet, but wait till we have had another 10 years in power.” That is precisely what I do not want to do. I cannot wait that long. Whenever a State plan fails to produce the goods there is always some good excuse or convenient scapegoat. The Nazi planners blamed the Jews, and when the Russian agricultural plan broke down they blamed the kulaks, or prosperous farmers, for these supreme planners can never admit a blunder. Under State planning there can be only one plan—if it is to succeed there can be no criticism, no opposition, and no reversal by a change of Government.— I am, etc.. Dad.

Sir,— I The real reason that Britain is so short of dollar funds is on account of having to liquidate her foreign assets to pay when cash and carry was the order of the day before America entered the war as a belligerent. In those days of 1939-1940 Britain laid the foundations which saved the world and the American capitalists from disaster. These are facts which “ Dad ” should keep in mind instead of belittling the efforts of the British leaders and their people to win their battle of economic survival. He should remember, too. that. Socialist, planning has reduced unemployment in Britain to a small percentage—in America, the country of rugged individualists, it is in excess of 3,150,000. It would seem that production for consumption is so efficient that only a huge rearmament programme will absorb them —I am, etc., Dollar Funds.