CHANGING SCENE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21184, 6 August 1940, Page 2

CHANGING SCENE

RED TAPE GOES IN BRITAIN (From a Correspondent) LONDON, July 4 Several thousand miles of red tape have been thrown out of official windows since the House of Commons approved the historic Bill placing all persons and property at the service of the State. In certain Ministries—supply and aircraft particularly—definite results have been achieved in the realms of capital and Labour. In an aviation factory, when the owner-manager spoke to the workers, promising them nothing but hard work every hour, every day until the job is done, he was deafened by cheers This is a factory where there were labour troubles a year or so ago, but there is no sign of such feeling now. Similarly, the upper classes, particularly the aristocracy, show extraordinary spirit. An example is that of Mr Oliver Stanley, who was Secretary of State for War in Mr Chamberlain’s last Cabinet. He is at Aldershot being trained again as a subaltern in his old regiment. The death of the young Duke of Northumberland suggests another example of the swift changes of this once static world. He was still paying death duties and inheritance taxes on his estate, and his death in action comes near to annihilating one of the great feudal estates of England. The fact that this revolution is taking place with decorum and with no undue fuss does not make it any less of a revolution. It is impossible to withhold admiration from people who cope with destiny so calmly.