26 MARCH 1937, Page 20

SIR STAFFORD CRIPPS AND MUNITIONS

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]

Sta,—In commenting on Sir Stafford Cripps' recent declara- tion regarding the making of munitions, you state that he is urging working men to a course which would leave them workless and penniless.

The only inference which can be drawn from this is that if working men refuse to make armaments, they will. not be able, or shall not be allowed, to earn their living in any other way.

Surely the censure which you pass on Sir Stafford Cripps would be more fitly applied to those responsible for this appal- ling situation in which men apparently have no option but to manufacture instruments of death.

And finally, what will happen to these same men when re- armament is completed ? If refusal to make arms now would involve them in unemployment and destitution, how is this to be avoided when their present work is at an end ?—I am, Sir, Principal's House, Whiteley Village, Walton-on-Thames.

[If munition-workers voluntarily throw up their jobs they will be ineligible for unemployment benefit. Whether they succeed in getting other jobs or not is problematic.—En. The Spectator.]