ENGLAND IN 1929

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1929, Page 7

ENGLAND IN 1929

(J3y Professor Harold Laslci, in the “Yale Review.”

England in 1929 is at halting place between two opinions. The force of circumstance has over a century, mnuie it into a political democracy; its pro--blem is now that of transformation into a social demoracy as well. It is no easy task to uproot the tradition of aristocratic control in a country as old as England. It is in easy task, either because it. has to he accomplished in the midst of an economic world revolution, in which the e sv assurance of industrial supremacy has gone. To accomplish it there is need for the-revision not only of the accepted notions'of industrial and pditical control hut also of the historic* no 1 ions of English foreign policy. A policy of moderate but continuous progrossivism which looks always to the recognition of social democracy is what England requires; given that- England will work out her problem in her own way; if •vitli grave difficultv. But that policy is costly, and it involves prosperity if it. is to be paid for without disappointing established' expectations. It is not only costly; it implies, too, an outlook in foreign affairs which recognises that new forces have come into being and builds upon the adequate es- ' inflation of their strength. Peace after all means more than recognition. The nation that would wir her must make sacrifices in her name. \ genuine understanding with America, on one side, an insistence that the League become a positive instrument, upon the other, will bring their due reward. All this, indeed, is conlitional on the willingness of America 'm play her part. If she insists on an imperialistic mercantilism backed by •in immense navy no Labour, Government even can afford to do other than answer the challenge. England is no more willing than the rest of Europe fo become the economic dependent of America. Alost of us, indeed, do not believe that the challenge need be made; and we see the prospect of a recontructed Europe at last discovering the path of creative peace. It is an adventure worth risking.

England in 1929, with all its problems, gives one the sense of being upon .the verge of an intellectual renaissance. Its youth is capable, in literature, in art, in science, of big ideas. There is an eagerness for knowledge abroad, a sense of spiritual hunger, which gives to the observer a vision of spaciousness not characteristic. of a people that has passed its zenith. Tlie new mind, indeed, requires a new body. The new body involves medicine more drastic than the patient has been willing to swallow. Yet the new England’, if it can be made, will more than repay the cost of construction. For the first time, her liberty will be real, since it will be born of equality. lor the fiist time the principles of her life will seek to express the ideal of justice. And having thus saved herself by her exertions, England once more may hope to have saved Europe by her example,.