VOICE OF THE WORLD

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 103, 28 October 1933, Page 23

VOICE OF THE WORLD

In an address on English public schools at a students' vacation English course in education, Education. Mr. P. 11. B. Lyou, head- . master of Bugby School, said that when ho looked to the future ho confessed that he did not believe in or welcome tho type of school which seemed to be beloved by writers of Utopias—schools where all was peace and beauty, where all complexes were removed and all examinations ended. Ho had no fondness for that vague- atmosphere in which a*l formal religion and compulsory games gave i^laee to a worldly spiritual atmosphere—the apotheosis of a super-Dalton plan and voluntary lute playing and Greek dancing—where man did not have to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow, to summon a stout heart against disaster, and to face disappointment or petty worry with a sense of humour. Life, as he saw it, was not going to be like that, and they were there to prepare boys for life as it was. Believing that public schools were ,on the right track, he would reform rather than destroy. They might hope for a deeper, less pigeonholed religious life in the school; for a curriculum simplified and strengthened by the best elements in new educational movements; and for a lessening of the emphasis on marks, places,!

and examinations. They were aj> | proaching a right view of physical education and beginning to realise the importance and to master the technique of education, in sex. Still more, they were beginning to link school life with the world, to teach boys, especially towards the end of their time, the duty of service, the necessity for understanding, and the need of sympathy. Thus they hoped that the schoolboy of the future would be more ready and able to serve in the government of his country and more ready to face international problems in the spirit of peaceful co-operation. It might be thought that his suggestion were somewhat timid, but ho did not wish to_ see perfection. Out of came character, and character was the greatest thing in—and governed—the world. ♦ * • Dr. Benesli, the Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia, has Europe's written for the BuiIlls. letin of tho "Ageneo Eeonoiniquo et 'Finaneiexe" an analysis of the political situation in Europe, concluding which ho says that wo are- still at the beginning of ii, long period of commercial and political disorder, marked by a process of transition in the political, economic, and social life- of tho world. Today, Dr. Bcncsh writes,, the forces which were swept away in tho revolutions of 1918 are raising their heads. Tho Peace Treaties, which, sinco 1918, have been the principal subject of controversy in Europe, and. even in tho world, have given rise to bitter feeling, which exercises a powerful influence eyen on internal policy and national institutions. Various!^ organised States have agreed only in their common hostility to tlio foreigner—that is to say, to tho neighbouring State, which was successful in tho war and is satisfied with the treaties. This victorious neighbour is held responsible for all the ills which beset the less fortunate country. Their real causes, such as the economic and moral aftermath of tho war, the state of tho'country, the terrible horitago of tho mistakes made by the former regime, and even by the present Governments, aro forgotten. Discontent is, therefore, concentrated in tho realm of foreign affairs. This, Dr. Benesh concludes; is why tho Peace Treaties loom much more largely than they really should. This is why Bolshevism, Hitlerism, and Fascism occupy a prominent plaeo in international affairs, although tho real problems to be solved aro internal problems. Europe is now engaged in a strugglo to the death with political reaction, which socks to load it back to tho pre-war order; with tho spectre of Bolshevism; and with opposition to tho Peace Treaties accompanied by reckless ultra-nationalism. * * «■ "Industry today demands quite a difforent type of personnel Vision from what it did before in the war, or oven ten Industry, years ago," writes Sir Herbert Austin in the "British Trade Bcview." "The man who is needed' now must have far greater vision than his counterpart of yesterday. A big public undertaking is a State in miniature, and can only be run by men whose mental qualities are on the same plane, as those of the men whom the nation elects to run tho country. Indeed, in many respects, those who administer important industrial concerns have a more difficult task than Governments. They must eombino in their outlook an appreciation of what I may call local matters, such as the tactful understanding of how to market at a profit the products of tho concern's activities. This last neeossarily entails a deep knowledge of the economic conditions of every country in which sales are to bo made. Tho handling of the workers is no less important, for a thoughtless action on tho part of a works manager, or hasty decision on some relatively minor point, may well bring disaster vpoa. the largest enterprise."

There were live main principles in the English Government's Agricultural agricultural policy each Policy. one of which might well turn--out to be of importance, said Lord De La Warr, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture in a recent speech. The first was that tho disequilibrium from which they were suffering was in the relationship between proiduction and consumption. By rationalisation therefore, they should mean the organisation of distribution —rather than the creation of great and frequently topheavy productive units. The second was that rationalisation should be carried out by industry itself with the aid of tho State, rather than by the State. Tho third was that no minority within an industry should be allowed to hold up the reorganisation of that industry. The fourth was that where control of imports was essential for the effective working of the scheme, it should be available. The fifth was that control of imports or any form of State aid should depend on the efficiency of the industry concerned. These were the principles that were exemplified in the Pig and Bacon Schemes and the Milk Scheme. On butter and cheese, which came so largely from the Dominions, the-market-position was admittedly lin-

I satisfactory; but no one realised the reaction of that market on the ■ success of the future Milk Board more than the Minister of Agriculture. Ho was doing everything in his power to remedy the situation as regards dairy produce and had already dealt with tinned milk imports. Farmers must havo faith in him. •>:• * • a ' In "We Have Recovered Before," Mr. Walter W. Price says: Process of "Business is stagnant, Recovery, discouragement is ex- / treme, speculation is at its lowest ebb, men are oyer-cautious, and nowhere is there any incentive for enterprise. Prices are low, and there is. no demand for money. Interest rates aro a* a minimum. Purchasing power is severely curtailed. Retail prices aro still declining, having lagged throughout the long depression. Although hardly perceptible, thero suddenly occurs a change in public psychology.' Human nature ia never static and presently pessimism begins to subside, if for no other reason that from sheer exhaustion. Miserly tendencies, that havo gripped vast sums in hoarding, begin to relax slightly. The now low retail prices begin to look tempting in tho light of the old price level, which is still regarded as normal by the retail purchaser. In addition, years of strict economy and frugality have practically depleted or worn, out the evcry-day necessities of people. Or it may be a sudden change in the weather, or a change in customs or styles that stimulates a little retail buying. Eetailers themselves aro practically bare. Caution and tho difficulty of obtaining credit havo prompted retailers to keep their inventories as small as possible. Even a moderate increase in retail buying, therefore, soon finds retailers short of goods. A demand develops for new stocks, which is rapidly transmitted to manufacturers who, also bare of supplies, expand their activities a little and replenish their stock of raw materials. Employment improves' and tho new job holders, who have been devoid of purchasing power for a long time, quickly enter tho market for sorely needed consumable goods. Presently it is apparent that the ball is rolling again. Prices riso and this in turn encourages more buying on a somewhat broader scale. Raw material prices improve as surpluses aro reduced. The purchasing power of producers, long absent, is partially restored, and this again creates more buying. . . Suddenly a multitude of people, who had regarded the revival with suspicion, fear that they havo 'missed tho boat' This is tho turning point." *' » • In ait introduction to a new volume of a series surveying Machine in London life and labour, Industry. Sir H. Llewellyn Smith says that threo influences have been active in changing the character or tho circumstances of employment—mechanisation (with the more comprehensive process commonly known as rationalisation), legislation, and wolfaro work. Mechanisation has almost everywhere reduced the amount of skilled employment; tho qualities required of tho mass of workers aro steadiness and reliability rather than a high degree of skill. It has created technological unemployment, but has reduced casual work. It has contributed largely to tho increase of female employment, and this is true, with but fow exceptions, evon in trades which are still predominantly carried on by men. In the printing trade group, for example, male workers are threo times as numerous as females, but the proportion of female labour-has more than trebled during tho last forty years. Machinery and mass production have made more openings for tho employment of juveniles as well as women, but another consequence, following upon tho declining need of skilled labour, has been the deca^ oJ; apprenticeship, .