COMMUNISM Are We In Earnest?
view of recent events it would he interesting to hear the views of those who were clamouring a few months ago for a pact between this country and Soviet Russia. What a blessing it did not.
materialise! To-day the whole of Britain unites in its determination to crush a menace to world civilisation.
Although we are one in our intention to crush Hitierism we cannot boast of unity when it comes to the question of a new Germany. Some of our fellow countrymen desire to see another Soviet established in the Reich. Others care not what may happen so long as Germany and her people are crushed, never to arise as a great European nation again.
There are those with a more commonsense view, who hope the outcome will be a free Germany, taking part in the affairs of Europe and co-operating with her neighbours. One thing is certain: we. cannot defeat Cermany without making the German people stiffer and lowering their morale. By causing them suffering we must expect after this war again a Germany full of bitterness towards those who have crushed her. We know only too well how such a state of affairs opens the gates to Communism. It makes one wonder whether our Government Is determined to crush this great menace, Communism.
During the past few years our statesmen have protested almost daily against the acts of aggression by Germany and criticised her internal affairs. Yet not a word of protest has been uttered against the world-wide menace of Communism engineered by Moscow. It is a fact that the Soviet Government has been the cause of labour disputes in the Industrial countries of the world, including Britain; she has instituted anti-God campaigns throughout the world, anchedtag Britain; yet there are many of our countrymen, some of them members of the Government, who would gladly join forces with this devilish power.
We Catholics know well that a Europe whose politics were based upon Christian justice and truth would be a Europe free from the reign of terror. The fact that we are a minority in this country should not prevent us from making ourselves hen: • when it is a matter of life or death.
Cannot an organisation be launched embracing all Christians with good-will who would demand that God's name and help be invoked more freely by our leaders, the Press, the B.B.C., and those entrusted with the welfare of the nation? I feel certain that If we would advertise Christianity more amongst our people the chances of a just peace would be more likely and the dangers of Communism more remote.
JOSEPH 113BETT. " St. Peter's," Thornton Road, Cambridge.
KEYNES OR DOUGLAS?
Sra-As you can find room for a commentary on Mr Keynes's' war finance proposals, it would be just as well for your readers to know that his suggestions are a cunning answer to Major C. H. Douglas's proposals, which Werc published just before Mr Keynes brought his out.
Major Douglas's proposition is as Follows; The money to finance the war will be issued as tax bonds bearing Interest at 231 per cent. during the war and 311 per cent. afterwards. All taxes collected from individuals, such taxes not in the aggregate to exceed 10 per cent. of the total sums required for total taxation, will be in exchange for such bonds. In the case of producing organisations, all wages and direct costs will be met out of bank loans which will be made against definite delivery orders. No charge will be made to the Supply Ministries for war materials delivered, but the bank loans will be cancelled against a percentage of the price values delivered. Retail prices of consumers' goods will be immediately reduced by the amount of all direct and indirect taxation upon them, subject to such prices bearing an agreed ratio to the retailers' costs. In the event of such retailers' prices not being observed by the retailer, the tax at present payable will be levied on the retailer. Should it be desired, for the period of war only, to reduce the consumption of any article this will be done by rationing, and not by price raising or taxation.
No National Bonds of any description will be issued to, or permitted to be held by, any Bank, Insurance Company or Discount Company.
These proposals are the only ones which would definitely clip the wings of the financial houses.
Amateur financial technicians will find them intriguing to discuss. But may I warn the ordinary reader that it is results we want?
PASCO LANG MAW. The Arches, 1911, Heathwood Road, Cardiff.