CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 20, 24 January 1946, Page 5

CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN

THEY COULD BE WORSE PEOPLE WANT RESULTS FROM LABOUR PROMISES Recd. 7.30 p.m. London Jan. 23. Dour though life may be in Britain tG-day, many people yet have a feeling that things might be a good deal worse. At least, they tell themselves, .here is no acute political crisis, as in France, and no widespread industrial strife, as in the United States. At most, it may be said there is a rising note of political criticism, and continued restlessness in industry at the continued slow pace of reconversion, but the country is not wracked by ciise. in either sphere. There is no “holier than thou” atmosphere about these comparisons, but rather a sense of thankfulness that Britain, if she is characteristically “muddling through,” is a’ayway keeping to the middle of the read.

The stage has now been reached in the carecW of the Labour Government when the public is expecting results, and, largely for that reason, Parliament ha: reassembled from the Christmas recess against a background of steady clamour for improvement in the lot of the public and the manufacturer.

The most persistent criticism is that Britain is increasingly a country which has to live by filling up forms. This, in addition to a continuation of “austerity,” is giving rise to something approaching frustration. Thus it may be expected that in the coming weeks Ministers like Mr. Aneurin Bevan and Sir Stafford Cripps will perhaps be prime targets in the Labour Cabinet. Planning and promises have been given to the people, ana now they want to see and avail them-

selves of new houses, ’new clothes, and fro h supplies, all those things that make life less like it was throughout the war.

Parliament has re-assembled in this atmosphere, and also under the realis-

ation that it faces one of the most c owded sessions in its hi tory. The Bills to be presented will be far-

reaching in effect. They include the ?<ational Insurance Bill, the National Health Bill Coal Mines Nationalisation Bill, and Civil Aviation Bill, together with Bills on the control of investments, education, and a measure to repeal the Trade Disputes Act. There are already 587 questions on the Order Paper. THE CONSERVATIVES

While an important period lies ahead of the Government, equally inteie ting is the position of the Conservative Opposition. The absence of Mr. Churchill, taking a well-earned res. in Miami, and speculations as to whether he will retire from the leadership of the party, on his return the possibility of which he denied knowledge while passing through New York—automatically focus attention on Mr. Eden, who will lead the Opposition in Mr. Churchill’s ab-

sence, and on other front rank Conservatives. There i- no a. tempt to deny that there are deep divisions in the’party, which is still regarded as being largely bankrupt of policy with oh to effectively oppose Labour.

It has been remarked that though the Conservatives will miss Mr. Churchill as an able debater, yet his absence may make it easier for them to formulate some policy in accordance with the realities of Ihe moment.