20 JULY 1951, Page 5

But if we all emulated, as far as possible, this

prudent fellow,' how grave would be the financial plight of our community !! From the point of view of his fellows' pockets the ideal' citizen is a fearful rip. He drinks like a fish and; smokes like a chimney. A keen but inept smuggler, he . is constantly swelling the coffers of the Customs and Excise. He brings, and invariably loses, unreasonable, actions at law against the various Ministries who encroach on his extensive properties. He owns a wireless set, but is given! exemplary fines, on an ascending scale, for his refusal to take! out a licence. Having accumulated (somehow) a vast fortune, he dies earlier than he expected, leaving his heirs almost penni- less but the Exchequer greatly enriched. It would be frivolous to suggest that anything approximating to either of these types; actually exists, or could exist. But the pursuit, through thei luxuriant swamp of his contemporary penalties and responsi-1 bilities, of so alluring an ignis fatuus as the ideal citizen is surely a worthy endeavour, however fruitless. * *