LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
[Letters of the length of one of our leading paragraphs are often more read, and therefore more effective, than those which fill treble the space.]
A LEAGUE OF GOOD CITIZENS.
[To rue EDITOR or sue " Srscisroa."1
Sot,—The articles and the correspondence which have appeared on this proposal in your pages have been full of interest. During the coal strike, and especially when there was a probability of the railwaymen and transport workers as members of the Triple Alliance joining the dispute on the fateful Friday, there was much anxiety among the general public at the possibility of their businesses being dislocated, if not ruined, and their wives, children, and themselves being starved. Many of us knew the Government had made adequate provision to prevent such a calamity, but undoubtedly the attitude of Ministers towards the executives of the trade unions would have been different and the Labour leaders less truculent had such a body of citizens been in existence, the formation of which is now proposed. Such a body would be preventive rather than provocative in its attitude towards trade unions. Defence, not Defiance, might be its watchword.
Your proposal to call the body the Citizens' Defence Register is admirable, and all patriotic organizations would probably gladly co-operate in the movement. Already there are far too many leagues and organizations with similar objects in exis- tence. It is hoped that the Federation of British Propaganda Societies, under which title the British Empire Union and other bodies are affiliated, will do much to bring about co-ordination of effort and avoid waste of time, money, and energy. The Register must be thorough and comprehensive. Central, Area, and District Committees should bo formed consisting of representatives of all the organizations co-operating in the movement, and other influential citizens might also be co-opted in these bodies. Card indices would have to be prepared of all citizens willing to serve and disposition made to use their services in case of need. The Register should consist of repre- sentatives of every walk of life and every profession or trade. The preparation of such a Register and the passing of a resolution by trade unionists insisting on a secret ballot in case of dispute would undoubtedly put an end to the tyranny of strikes under which the country and the workers have suffered
during recent years.—I am, Sir, &c., REGINALD WILSON
(General Secretary).
Office of the British Empire Union,
9 and 10 Agar Street, 1V.C. 2.
[We sincerely trust that during the autumn the formation of a Citizens' Defence Register will be taken up in earnest by all the societies and associations concerned. It is a piece of work in which all could unite without prejudice to their own special tasks. We hope before long to return to this matter of urgent importance.—En. Spectator.]
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