Post-War Reconstruction

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 260, 1 August 1942, Page 6

Post-War Reconstruction

Sir,—During tbe 'past week Mr. Cordell Hull, Mr. Anthony Eden and Sir Stafford Cripps have all siwkeu about planning for post-war reconstruction. Many people say that we must devote all our energy to winning the war, but however hard people work, most of them still have some time to read, and if they read and learn something about post-war reconstruction, surely the world is less likely to be left in a state of chaos, probably leading to revolution, civil war, or another world war. One way of reconstruction is by means of federal union, a plan for victory and lasting peace, about which everyone can rend in W. B. Curry’s book, “The Case for Federal Union,” and in Clarence Streit’s Imoks, “Union Now” and "Union Now AVith Britain.” There are many supporters of federal union in all free lands. Wickham Steed, whose voice we all know, has written in praise of Curry’s book. J. B. Priestley exhorts federal union: Mr. Attlee supports it; the Archbishop of Canterbury supports it; AVinston Churchill offered it to France —unfortunately too late, as the French politicians were on the point of coining to terms with Hitler. Clarence Streit says, "If you and I and tlie other man ami woman, working freely and equally together, cannot gain our common end, then how on earth can it be gained?” AV. B. Curry concludes tlie epilogue to his book with these words, "This isn’t a job for our grandchildren. It is a job for US NOW. Unless we get on with it there will lie no world fit for our grandchildren to lire in. So for their sakes, as well as for your own, I implore you to get busy while there may yet l>e time. But it is very late.’ If all planning is left: till the war is over, will it not. be too late? —I am, etc.—E. MACLENNAN. Wellington, July 30.