"DISTURBING STATEMENT"

Chronicle (Levin), 24 February 1947, Page 8

"DISTURBING STATEMENT"

"The economic survey for 1947 is the most disturbing statement ever niade by a Britisli Goyernment," says The Times in an editorial. "Its account of the country's plight is frank and grave. The continued reluetance of the Government to insist outright on remedies which should follow from their analysis in the White Paper, is at least as alarming'. General prescriptions are exemplary but actual and specific proposals for putting coupsels into efl'eet, fall sometimes frighte,ningly slvort of life and death necessities. There is no assurance that th.e necessary coal production will be secured. There is no real assurance against the collapse of Britain 's capacity but the broad distribution of maupower is'left to chance. Everything depends on pious hopes and good intentions. Even the experipnce of the past 20 months has not conyinced the Government it must plan for the worst. There is no evidenee yet of any real capacity to relate the targets to actual resourees. The (rovernment cannot issue the required orders without tlie prior consent of the trade unions. They hold the fate of the Country in their hands as the Royal Air Force held it seyen years ago.- It is the Government responsibility not only to lay down the order of battle but also to lead the attapk. This they have not yet »done. ' ?