Is It To Be Fetters or Freedom?
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How the Post-war Soda! and Economic System May Affect the Freedom of Operators of Road Transport and Break the Spirit of Magna Charta
By
"Tantalus"
R
EGARDING the post-war social and economic system, , much interest continues to be displayed. Discussions on this subject everywhere are rife, and they are carried on alike in city and village; and amongst all social grades —rich and poor, learned and less literate. It is a subject of vital interest and one which, ultimately, will affect every man, woman and child.
The churches, political parties, organizations and various sects, all, from time to time, offer suggestions for the adoption of Various schemes and formulw for the creation of a new world and the provisionof cures for existing social evils. Even the troops, through the medium of ABCA, are encouraged to interest themselves in this absorbing subject.
Now this is all to the good, for it affords unmistakable evidence of the interest which the ordinary citizen is taking in any system calculated to control his future destiny. So far, and in the main, concentration has been centred around future planning which—under the heading of social security —will control the main phases of human existence. There is, however, an even more important matter to be solved— that concerning the manner in which the Nation is to be governed in the future. .
It is admitted that, in .order to function successfully, the war machine must be relieved of the normal handicaps. of democracy, and there has been no reluctance manifested regarding the sacrifice of democratic privileges hitherto enjoyed in an effort to meet the demands of total war. Indeed, such sacrifices have been rendered willingly on the assumption that, when war ends, the privileges will he restored as circumstances permit.
From the. day war was declared the most completely self-governed nation on earth became part of a system of control so extensive as to affect the life ofevery citizen. Almost in a night, so to speak, the character of government was changed absolutely. Bureaucracy, in fact, assumed command and became the autocratic instrument of wartime expediency. Whitehall—hitherto the servant of a self-governing people—became the master, controlling, by rule and regulation, not 'only the food, wearing apparel, etc., but the very 'actions and 'movements of the whole Nation.
Are We to be Governed by Bureaucrats?
It is but natural that, in effect, the role assumed by Whitehall, should prove far from uncongenial and should, even, afford a measure of satisfaction to that section of officialdom which verily believed it can govern the people better than they can govern themselves. The late Lord fiewart, as Lord Chief Justice, wrote: " There is in existence a persistent and well-controlled system intended to produce a despotic power which, at one and the same time, places Government departments above the sovereignty of Parliament and beyond the jurisdiction of the Courts." That passage was written 15 years ago when So outstanding a legal figure, and one famed for his wisdom and sagacity, warned his fellow countrymen of the dangers of control by a despotic power.
The seriousness of this warning is farther emphasized by Sir William Beveridge who, at a much later date, said: " National planning meant that someone on behalf of the State made a design of how the needs of all citizens could be met by use of their resources, and that the power • of the State was needed to ensure that effect was given to the design." The views of two such eminent men, belonging to different spheres of life, should not be ignored.
Perhaps the greatest of all problems is that concerning the system of government to be adopted in the future. The question which immediately presents itself is: Will a despotic bureaucracy continue to enjoy its war time freedom of control, or, will the pre-war system Of demo
cratic government reassume its position of power and authority? At the present time this question is difficult to answer, but there can be little doubt as to the answer which would be given by the majority of ordinary citizens were they consulted in the matter.
Democracy—if it means anything at all—means that the people express their wishes through elected Members of Parliament who translate those wishes into laws and then, in order to administer these laws, employ for the purpose professional civil servants who are not concerned with polities but merely with the technicalities of government. The adoption of such a principle in this country has resulted in the people becoming free in the Widest sense, as also it has gained for the Civil Service world-wide admiration.
Sacrifices of Democracy Must Be Rewarded
hi order to achieve victory and to serve the needs of war to that end, democracy has made colossal sacrifices. The ultimate object of these sacrifices is the restoration of the liberty and freedom of the individual in a democratic state,
There is evidence that in Parliament thereare signs of restiveness regarding the process of government by regulation; not so. much concerning the war-time need for the adoption.' of such systems bat, rather, as to their possible continuance when the war is won and over. This apprehension is not confined to Parliamentary representatives, , but can be discerned in every section of the community. It is, in fact, real and widespread.
A further serious aspect of war-time bureaucracy is the quite undeniable need for obtaining control of the mental processes of the people as a whole. To this end a powerful propaganda machine has been established, and in each Government department a publicity service is maintained. Thus are particular schemes popularized and public opinion influenced in certain given directions. Admittedly, this is a war-time expedient only and, quite obviously, one which must' not be incorporated as a permanent feature of national life. The danger is not far to seek, for in those totalitarian states where such a system has become part 'of the regime the individual citizens not only have ceased to think for themselves but have reached the stage where they are merely automata.
Viewed from various angles, it would appear that there is urgent need for the removal of the shackles of bureaucracy immediately the war-time necessity ceases to exist. The principle applies as related to the individual and regarding the position of trade and industry.
So far as road transport is concerned, and reviewing the war-time conditions, is it possible that the severe control and restrictions imposed are due largely to the fact that the leaders have been absorbed by the bureaucratic Machine? Have they. surrendered the power of thought and action or have they become willing victims of the present form of government? At this stage it is relevant to ask if the leaders are contented with the present system and are willing that it should continue in the post-war period..Are they happy in being accomplices in the working of a bureaucratic machine which has reduced the standing of the industry to that of a vassal unit? Or do they desire the restoration of freedom and liberty -for the members of the industry?., There can be no." sitting'on the fence.". This is a straight issue of fetters or freedom.
No gratitude will be spared even to a bureaucratic despotism which assists in winning the war; but all vigilance is needed to ensure the right of. self-government in times of peace. The liberty granted by Magna .Charta must be restored to the members of the industry as their rightful heritage.