KILLING A COUNTY
Sns,—As Mr. Peacock shows in his Killing a County, the arguments against the obliteration of Herefordshire are twofold—those based on reason and those based on emotion. With the former we can allow pro- fessional administrators and planners to deal; the case is clear-cut, and in any democratic country the county would win its way by merely presenting the irrefragable answers to the Boundary Commission's pro- posals. But the latter concern everyone, whether or not he has a professional interest in administration. The point at issue is, quite simply, whether personal intangible values are to have any consideration paid them by planners. 'In the question of food, is it sufficient for the State to buy us a correct dietary, or do taste and preference matter? In the question of administration, are local patriotism and loyalty to weigh with Ministries? Surely the civil courts recognise that the intangible of business goodwill has a commercial cash value. And surely Govern- ments realise that the intangible of patriotism is a force to be reckoned with when dealing with foreign policy. Therefore, why dismiss the intangible of local patriotism when dealing with home policy?—Yours 37 Hurlingham Court, S.W.6.
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