11 JUNE 1942, Page 2

" Depression Democracy "

It is a proof that friendship between Britain and America has become a real thing that we should dare to take an American Ambassador to examine not our biggest successes but our biggest failures. For Durham County, which Mr. Winant visited last Sunday, long suffered from depressed areas for which war employ- ment affords only temporary relief. Mr. Winant did not hesitate to make a speech such as at one time only a citizen of this cpuntry would make to Englishmen, telling them about what was wrong in the pre-war days—under-feeding, bad housing, inadequate education and too little that makes for health and pleasure. The reason why he did not hesitate to speak of these dark spots in our civilisation is because his own country has the same problems, and is determined to face them in a co-operative effort to get rid of the causes. Democracy has suffered from its periodic depressions, and that Durham had become chronic. Mr. Winant speaks of the drive Britain and America for an all-out war effort which is to be follow by a drive in peace-time to substitute " Service Democracy " f " Depression Democracy." The two countries are to be together that is his point—in creating after the war an economic front t get rid of the evils which produce poverty. Nothing less than united effort will suffice, for nothing but determined scientifi planning on a world scale can remove the obstacles to world trad and promote a system of production under which goods will fl freely to all who want to consume and want to work. The m are understood, but they involve a change in economic practice, rest ing on profound changes in ideas ; and intensive propaganda in Winant's country and in ours is still needed.