"TRAVEL MUST BE BOTH WAYS"
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—When the Chancellor of the Exchequer told us last autumn that the financial crisis demanded our presence at home we accepted his ruling. Then things improved, and we understood that the patriotic embargo had been lifted. Now, apparently, it has been re-imposed.
What is the reason for this new attempt to make us stay at home ? Is the financial position of Great Britain worse than it was ? Do the authorities think that the best way to get the foreigner to " come to Britain " is by keeping our own people at home ? Economically, it sounds as logical as would be an attempt to increase exports by stopping imports.
Are we to return to the insularity for which we were famed in an earlier generation ? By all means let us see Britain first and be in a position to talk intelligently about its beauties to our visitors when they come. But let us not delude ourselves with the idea that they will come unless we are prepared to pay them the compliment of returning, and, in some eases anticipating, their visits.-1 am, Sir, &c., 6 Colcherne Court, London, S.W. 9.
OLIVER BEAUMONT.
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