Growth for what
LETTERS
From Kenneth Lewis, MP, D. E. Folkes, Edward Samson, Michael Ivens, W. E. Wood, E. I. Allen, Harold Malies. G. W. Andrews, William Hardie, S. E. Bushnell, Geo. G. Murray-Smith, Terence Conran. Sir Denis Brogan, Alfred Borrello.
Sir: It has been a consistent theme of Mr Angus Maude that the country seeks a lead above the level of the purely material. His re-emphasis that there is no clarion cry in more washing machines, television sets or even motor-cars is well made. To leave it at that, however, is to ignore the fact that the basis of society is the use of money, whether earned or unearned, by the state and by the indi- vidual.
Much of the malaise today is caused by the lack of opportunity for people to use money for pur- poses which justify their striving to get it. Apart from the fact that the state takes too much and misuses it, the things which people would feel good about paying for are too expensive for them unless they are very well off.
Private hospitalisation and medicine has been increased in price by this Government so that, while the rich people can cope, the moderately well off can no longer do so. They may as well buy a new washigg machine and go on the National Health. Private education is now reaching a level in fees where many who themselves enjoyed this kind of education at public schools must make do with the state stream for their children, and buy a new car. The accumulation of private income for retirement meets with penal taxation at surtax level starting at £2,000 so that spending is encouraged and sav- ing discouraged.
The Conservative party must now do more than simply deplore the material outlook which fails to inspire and positively encourages lethargy and `couldn't care less.' It must provide positive plans for expanding private hospital treatment and medical care for those who want it at charges which will make this available to the middle income groups. It must have a policy for expanding the direct-grants schools in place of grammar schools which will be brought into the comprehensive system by the Labour government. It must encour- age saving by safeguarding the fruits of it.
Politicians can only inspire if the ideas they pro- pagate at the top find an echo of enthusiasm among the individuals who seek the best for themselves and their families. And if buying better and better washing machines isn't very inspiring it neverthe- less becomes inevitable when the state provides, without alternative, and indifferently more Often than not, the really worthwhile things which moderate private affluence ought to be able to pur- chase.
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