PLANNING AND THE ABSENT Sm,—I have only just seen Capt.
Sandison's letter in The Spectator of October 1st and can fully sympathise with his views, as I spent the whole of the last war (44 years) on service overseas, though far too busy to worry about politics. I personally believe that there is much in the present position to reassure him. I have great belief in the Prime Minister and his chief supporters, particularly in the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Vice Prime Minister (himself an old soldier). Perhaps Capt. Sandison missed the Prime Minister's broadcast on March 21st last. Here are a few quotations about his "Four Years' Plan," which many appear to have forgotten:
t. " My earnest advice to you is . . . not to take your eye off the ball
even for a moment." ,
2. " We must beware of attempts . . . to coerce [the Government] to
bind themselves or their unknown successors in conditions which no one can foresee . . . to make them pledge themselves to particular schemes . . ."
3. " Ministers or members . . . would be dishonoured [if they allowed their duty to serve the public] to be.prejudiced by the enforced premature contraction of obligations."
4. " I am resolved not to give or to make all kinds of promises."
5. " I am . . . attracted to the idea that we should make . . . what might be called a Four Years' Plan.... When this plan has been shaped it will have to be presented to the country. . . . But by 1944 our present Parliament will have lived nine years and when Germany is defeated and a new register compiled a new House of Commons will have to be chosen by the whole electorate, including of course the armed forces wherever they may be."
All this is very comforting where the planners are on the war path ; and the Government have time and again refused to take any big decisions in domestic affairs. I may add that the advice of young members of associations is not much regarded, even in piping times of peace.---Yours Burghclerc, Hants.
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