A week or two ago I hatl to go to
my district post office to claim a registered letter which had not been delivered owing to my house being closed at the week-end. Having got there, I naturally produced my identity-card as evidence of good faith, the letter was duly handed to me, and I departed, culpably un- conscious of having betrayed the fundamental principles of British freedom. So far, indeed, from refusing to produce the - identity-card, I actually proffered it. I can, therefore, not quite see in Mr. Clarence Harry Willcock the indomitable defender of British liberties which he is depicted in some quarters as being. It may be a good thing that police dealing with an alleged motor- ing offence should not be entitled to ask for the driver's identity- card—though they can always see mine if they want to, and welcome. (I am bound to show my driving licence in any case, my insurance certificate in some circumstances.) It is quite true that there are regulations framed for the war-emergency which ought not to be perpetuated when the emergency is over. But there are others which turn out-to be rather a convenience than otherwise. I am inclined to put the identity-card in that category ; it has other uses than the one I have instanced. If its production were made optional. not obligatory, everyone. I imagine, would be happy. I should still carry my card, and pro- duce it when serviceable (for example, when proposing to pay by cheque in a shop where 1 am not known).
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