Sir: Some think that in reaction from the present 'permissiveness'
in general behaviour this country may in due course be engulfed in one of its peri- odical waves of puritanism. I am inclined to believe that the first waves are already upon us and that many of the present restrictions are moti- vated, perhaps subconsciously, by feelings of self- righteous puritanism. To be effective puritanism needs a faith and the faith now is, of course, egalitarianism—no one may take a fortnight's holiday abroad except with a package tour; no one may drive a car at more than 70 mph be- cause some drivers are incapable of doing so safely; no experienced drinker may continue to enjoy dining out in the country (where taxis are not available) because he is allowed to drink only as much as would be safe for a boy of eighteen, , No doubt soon all golfers will be forced to play With ping-pong balls so as to prevent the less com- petent from injuring passers-by.
There must be other, and fairer, ways of tackling these problems; perhaps your medical correspondent could suggest a fair method of test- ing the sobriety of drivers? At present one can only pray that the Conservatives, who claim to favour the retention of some liberty by the subject, will, when they return to power, take action against this spreading puritanism. If they could promise this now their return might be welcomed as a Restoration.
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