Finance Public and Private
National Economy and Industrial Problems
THERE are two subjects on which I am conscious that I have written only too frequently in the Spectator. One is concerned with the growth in the National Expenditure and the other with our industrial problems as affected both by Trade Unionism and by imperfect organization. In both of theie matters certain developments have occurred within -the last few weeks which seem to call for special comment, and with regard to our industrial prob- lems it is with deepest satiSfaction that one can record some signs of improvement. The signs may be small, and I would not desire to over-emphasize them, but if only because of constant criticism, I feel that they merit attention. During the past few days a letter has been addressed by Sir Alfred Mond to the Trades Union Con- gress suggesting some kind of co-operation to bring about greater peace in industry, and that communication appears to have obtained, if not a favourable, at least an attentive hearing from -the quarters- to which it was addressed. Another point which unquestionably deserves comment is the outspoken utterance of Mr. Snowden on the question of Social Reform. Speaking last Sunday to an audience at Whitefield's Tabernacle, Mr. Snowden said :— " If were asked what I would say to the young man of the present generation, I should warn him against what I regard as the most dangerous and the most menacing feature of the present time. That is a depreciation of- the value, usefulness, honour, and dignity of honest work, a desire to get something for nothing, a desire to live at the expense of- others.
I confess that I sometimes regard with a considerable measure of apprehension the form in which much of our political propaganda and our social reform propaganda is advocated. Social reform will be a curse, rather than a blessing, unless.the result is to call forth reciprocal action and co-operation on the part of all those individuals upon whom it is conferred."
These are words worthy of the reputation either of statesman or economist, and I venture to think that they go more nearly to -the root of our social and industrial problems to-day than might be gathered from a mere hasty reading.- When Mr. Snowden refers to " a desire to get something for nothing, a desire to live at the expense of others, ' he expresses a truth applicable to emploYer or employed, and this plea for a clearer recognition of the importance and the dignity of work from one who has already held high position in the State and may easily hold it again, is, I consider, a welcome display of a spirit not always discernible in mere Socialistic propaganda.
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