POLITICS IN BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 December 1943, Page 3

POLITICS IN BRITAIN

POSSIBILITY OF ELECTION IN 1944 SHOULD GERMANY COLLAPSE QUICKLY. SOME THORNY PROBLEMS. (By Telegraph-Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, December 29. In Britain the political situation will be full of interest in 1944. Should Germany collapse quickly, many are of the opinion that there will be a general election before November. There are indications of dissatisfaction of the Government’s political leadership based chiefly on the manner in which the Government is approaching domestic problems and post-war reconstruction. Social planning, employment, foreign trade are among the chief domestic problems; and the question of controls is going to provide a big battle. One of the most interesting political figures is likely to be Mr Herbert Morrison, despite his temporary loss of prestige over the Mosley affair. Mr Morrison has outlined a policy for the Labour Party which the party has not taken up, and whether he intends

to support a continuation of the coalition or the return of party politics is not yet clear. • Another question engaging increasing attention is the post-war system of international security, j There} are ;at present little more than sketched outlines such as that of General Smuts s recent broadcast to Americans. The restoration of Europe and the position of Germany after the war is also a lively topic. So while 1944 is anticipated as possibly victory year in Europe, it is realised that victory will be accompanied by a string of thorny problems on which the whole basis of peace rests. Nevertheless, 1944 is looked to with confidence.