sleep in, excellent food, even in wartime. and expert attention. And yet, while they look healthy enough, they seem in some strange ways almost to go backwards in stead of forwards. They develop, or rather 1 should say return to, babyish habits, such as thumb-sucking, and to petulant displays of temper, which normally they would most probably have left behind them. I am sure it is because they are missing the great essential of personal love, which, with all the good will in the world, we cannot give to them. Once I would have said that a good Institution was better than a poor home, but I would now reverse that statement. and say that almost the worst home is better than the most finely equipped Institution."
UNITED STATES STRIKES
THE strike of 53,000 workers, members of the United Mine Workers' Federation, under the leadership of Mr. John Lewis, has revealed a curious situation.
The strike constituted f a veto on the Government's foreign policy. In as much as it hindered the production of war supplies, it was a practical exemplification of the proletarian dictatorship according to which the class in question claims a monopoly of political power.
Such strikes were frequent in France under M. Blum's Government. This was consistent with the policy of the Front Populaire which was to embarrass the State and prepare the way for the Revolution. But the situation then was different from what it is now. At that time the attitude of Moscow was uncertain or definitely pro-Axis and a weakened France would serve Communistic inter ests, To-day, Moscow is fighting for its life and Is particularly dependent on American supplies, a shortage of which must imperil the Stalin regime. Yet these 53,000 workers could not sacrifice their own interests even for the sake of a cause regarded as being that of their class. This attitude, even if their claims were Just, seems to Indicate a strange lack of class, not to say national, loyalty.
We have no desire to see a Dictatorship of the Proletariat established. Nevertheless, we cannot help feeling that these American miners, having regard to their professed political sympathies. presented a sorry spectacle of sectional narrowness.
IDLE SOLDIERS FROM one point of view we may con gratulate ourselves that the tens of thousands of soldiers scattered throughout this country have had nothing to do. But there is another side to the question. The sight of these men, and especially those stationed in small provincial centres, loafing and trying in various ways to kill time is not a pleasing picture. It is good to learn, therefore, that the Central Advisory Council, with its 23 regional committees, is mobilising educational
agencies and arranging for courses of lecturers to the forces.
The War Office also announces that mechanised squads, composed of men familiar with . agriculture. are to travel from camp to camp during the winter months in order to prepare the ground for planting. This Army scheme, we learn, has made itself responsible for the cultivation of 1'8,343 acres, of which 5,595 are being tended by troops, the remainder having been entrusted to farmers.
Apparently. however, the scheme is limited to the growing of vegetables for Army use. It suggests, however, the possibility of utilising such men as have the necessary knowledge and skill to assist farmers in the task of growing the nation's food. There is a serious shortage of labour in the agricultural world, and this, desrite the Women's Land Army. is hampering farmers in fulfilling the obligalions laid upon them. At the same time, there are these men, condemned to an indolence which must be exercising a demoralising effect. Now that the War Office has shown its willingness to organise agricultural labour. it might he asked to do so on an extended scale.
NATIONAL HEALTH THE satisfactory report concerning the health of the nation elicited by the debate on the subject in the House of Commons is largely due to other causes than those that were mentioned. Attention was concentrated, as one would expect, on such factors as food and housing. But these physical factors are not the only ones that count and may not be the most important. It should he remembered that the whole nation is now at work and that this work has as its object the triumph of the national cause. At a time like this when attention is fixed on the world-drama in which our own country is playing the leading part there is little temptation to indulge in sick fancies. Introspection, nervous fears as well as over-indulgence and similar conditions which predispose people of a certain type to develop disease have been minimised. The nation is braced up for a great effort and this, in itself, is a powerful antiseptic. The Medical Profession is discovering that spiritual factors as well as physical must be considered as contributory to health which, as the derivation of the word implies, is connected with wholeness. To integrate the entire personality and to give it objective interests goes a long way in ensuring physical well-being. That is why the sort of static Utopia beloved of Socialist idealists would be, if realised, not only unendurably dull but fruitful cause of physical disorder an disease.
India Jesuits Issue New Publication: Ad Paganos is the name of a new magazine which is being published by the Jesuit Fathers to further the missionary effort in India. It is printed at the Deccan Publish. ing House in Calicut and is published by the Fathers of St. Mary's College, Kurseong, North India. It is circulated free, the contributors to its columns being workers in the mission fields throughout India.