PLANNING AND THE ABSENT
Sm,—The arrival of your issue of July 16th with its references to "planning London," "religion in schools," "doctors' pay" under a State service, read together with Harold Nicolson's comments on the " forsaken " soldier, raise a problem that should at least be recognised, though it is difficult to see any solution. In all the diverse aspects of post-war planning decisions are being taken that will modify policy for many year§ to come. That policy is being decided by the various professional and trade associations in consultation with the Govern- ment. But the men and women who will have to implement those decisions after the war are usually debarred from these discussions by absence on military service. For example, most teachers under thirty-five in 1940 have been called up. The effect of military ser- vice on the political franchise is widely recognised ; its effects in depriving professional associations and trade unions of the opinions
and advice of their younger members is equally, if not more, serious and such organisations are essential to our democratic system.—
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