A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46

377

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
Copy No. 276

The aim of this Report is to present an impartial assessment of public feeling about the war and the war effort. It is not a record of fact , except in so far as public opinion is itself a fact. The public is sometimes ill-informed, prejudiced, or inconsistent. The recording of such feelings without comment implies no endorsement of them.

The public is more prone to criticise than to praise. Good work or efficiency is usually taken for granted. An accurate record of expressed feeling will, therefore, tend to be critical rather than laudatory.

The method of compiling the Report is such that the amount of space devoted to each subject, and the order in which subjects are placed, are roughly indicative of the amount of public interest each is arousing. The omission of a subject from the Report means that it is not a matter of widespread comment.

In assessing the state of public feeling there are no absolutes. Findings can only be comparative. Each issue of this Report must therefore be read as part of a continuous series. Unless the series is seen as a whole, the significance of fluctuations in feeling cannot be appreciated.

The figures in brackets at the end of each section refer to sources of information, a list of which is given on the next page. The weekly reports from Regional Information Officers (R.I.Os.) are compiled by the Regional Intelligence Officers from a large number of sources. Details of the methods of compilation and cross-checking are contained in a paper on “How the Home Intelligence Weekly Report is made”. This will be supplied on request to the Home Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Information.

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P.T.O.

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MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
SECRET

No. 127. 11th March, 1943

(Covering the period 2nd to 9th March 1943)

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

The general level of spirits remains high - if anything a little higher than last week - but still not quite back to the February level. Cheering factors include:

  1. Continued Russian successes, especially the capture of Rzhev.

  2. The annihilation of the Japanese convoy in the Bismarck Sea.

  3. The non-stop bombing of Germany, especially the Berlin raid.

  4. The repulse of the German attacks in Tunisia.

  5. The satisfactory position on the Home Front, the fine weather and the lengthening days.

“The most marked feature of public feeling” this week is a spirit of expectancy, mentioned in ten out of twelve Regional reports. There is said to be a fairly widespread belief that our invasion of the Continent will not be long delayed, and there is much speculation as to when and where it will be.

On the Home Front, the chief topic of discussion has been the London tube shelter disaster, which is said to have “horrified the public” and to have “left many people sceptical of the official statement that there was no panic”. The qualifying words “ before the accident” have been entirely overlooked by the public.

Six reports speak of people feeling tired, run down, in need of a holiday, or “war weary” - especially women; but, though “many people complain that they are now thoroughly tired of the war”, there is said to be “nobody who is not prepared to fight on”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. No report from Region 7 this week.)

2. Anticipation of the second front

The general feeling about a second front is now said to be “expectancy rather than clamour”. There is a general belief that we are pledged to invade the Continent, that we are actively preparing to do so, and that preparations are nearly complete. Many people regard the increasing R.A.F. offensive as “a prelude to our big attack”, but there is “a notable tendency to interpret all possible signs as clues to the coming offensive”. Thus, a variety of incidents - whether it be “a large-scale military exercise in the Southern Region”, “military convoys moving down the Great North Road”, or “W.V.S. drivers rushing tons of blankets to the docks” - are regarded as “straws in the wind, indicating almost immediate action”.

There is now only a small minority of “noisy second fronters”, but the wish is general that we shall not delay too long, because:

a) People are genuinely anxious to help Russia as much as possible;

b) There is some fear that “Russia will lick Germany all by herself”, and will then “dictate as to how Germany is to be dealt with after the war”;

c) “If we delay, it will be harder.”

Two reports mention “frequent comment about the exceedingly heavy casualties that must be expected when the attack is launched”. These feelings are specially mentioned among relatives of Servicemen.

(1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 one provincial P.C. 22 eight P.D.Rs.)

3. The London shelter tragedy

People everywhere have been shocked and mystified by “this appalling shelter tragedy”.

Panic : The main belief appears to be that only panic, or something very like it, could have been responsible for an accident “involving such a loss of life”. In some cases the panic is attributed to a special cause, as for instance:

  1. Our barrage. “People must have run away from this, and rushed to get under cover” (Three Regions).

  2. “Those East End Jews; they were so terrified, they stampeded” (Three Regions). Two significant features in this connection are:

    1. Two of these Regions, London and the North Western, have been most consistent in reporting anti-Semitism.

    2. The suggestion that “the trouble was occasioned by the Jews is reported from all parts of London, with the exception of Bethnal Green where there is full knowledge that any such statement is untrue”.

  3. “It was fifth column or Fascist work” (Two Regions). A typical rumour in London was that “someone frightened the crowd at the entrance to the shelter by calling out that an oil bomb was falling”.

  4. People were jittery about the possibility of a heavy reprisal raid following the attack on Berlin (London Region).

  5. “Crowds often get out of hand” (One Region).

Some responsibility for the disaster is also attributed to “the authorities” (Four Regions), because, it is suggested in London, “people seem to be trying to find a scapegoat on which to focus their feelings”. Reasons are not always given for blaming “the authorities”, but there is specified criticism of: (a) Insufficient personnel on duty (Four Regions); (b) Bad lighting (Three Regions); (c) Lack of handrails (Three Regions); (d) The shelter's construction (Two Regions): “Had it been passed as conforming to official requirements?”

The inquiry : The immediate promise of an inquiry has been widely welcomed, and its findings are awaited with interest. People want to be assured “that it cannot happen again”; but in Bethnal Green indignation is said to be “far from allayed by safeguards put into operation for the future”.

Other reactions include:

  1. A feeling of “what a chance for Jerry's propaganda” (Four Regions). In Wales, on account of this, “the Press and B.B.C. are condemned for revealing the total number of dead and injured”.

  2. “Will the suggestion of panic bring a renewal of raids on London and other large centres?”

  3. Pleasure that the Ministry of Pensions is being generous.

  4. Criticism of “the administrative problems that arose in connection with burial certificates and questions of compensation”.

(b, c, and d from one Regional report each)

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14 South Western Region)

4. The Beveridge Report and the post-war world

Discussion continues to be reported from all Regions on the Beveridge Report and the Parliamentary debate. In five Regions, it is still described as “a lively topic”, though in three Regions “the volume of comment” is said to be reduced.

While it appears to be generally assumed that the Report has been “shelved”, three reports refer to “uncertainty in the public mind as to what the Government have agreed upon”. The average man in the street is said “to have no very clear picture of the nature of the report itself or the Government proposals”; and it is suggested that “definite information is needed in simple language as to what the Report means and which parts the Government has adopted”. Generally, opinion follows the lines reported last week:

A. The majority , chiefly working-class people, who deplore the “shelving of the Plan”, and whose feelings are reported to vary from “anger” to “despondency” at the “betrayal of their interests”. They blame:

  1. Vested interests for “over-aweing the Government”. The opposition to the Catering Bill and to the Report are alleged to “show the strength of the reactionary forces who want to go back to 1939”, and it is suggested that “they will have to be overcome before the Report will see fruition”.

  2. The Government for “their attitude to the Report”, which is said to have created a good deal of “pessimism and cynicism about the post-war world”. “Why get Beveridge to make a plan at all, if you are going to turn it down?” In three reports it is suggested that this “valuable social document has now become a political issue which may at a very inconvenient moment develop into a political battle and detract from the unity of our war effort”.

B. The minority who approve of the Government's attitude. Though businessmen and tradespeople are mentioned in this category, “understanding comments from those who are most likely to benefit from the Plan” are also reported. Their points of view can be summarised thus:

  1. The cost of the scheme will be too heavy, and “no one would expect the Government to undertake reforms which it will be unable to afford”.

  2. “The war must be won first.”

  3. “The promised Utopia is far from being just round the corner; the Beveridge Plan cannot bring heaven to earth by a stroke of the pen.”

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 21 ten provincial P.Cs. 22 thirty-six P.D.Rs. 29. 32.)

5. The war in the air

R.A.F. raids : All Regions (as against eight last week) refer to the Allied bombing offensive on Germany and the occupied countries as giving “tremendous satisfaction”. Particular pleasure was caused by the attack on Berlin (Eleven Regions). It is hoped that the raids will long continue, and will have a serious effect on the German war effort and morale. Only one report mentions “regret at the suffering we are inflicting on non-combatants”. Other reactions to the R.A.F. raids are:

  1. “The day and night bombings are a prelude to our invasion of the Continent” (Five Regions).

  2. “U-boat bases are the main target” (Three Regions).

  3. Some comment on our losses (Three Regions). These are deplored “but considered a necessary evil”.

  4. Pleasure on “the return of Hamm to the news” (Two Regions).

The reprisal raid on London appears to have been generally expected and, outside London, was not considered too high a price to pay for the bombing of Berlin. But in London itself “isolated reports suggest that enthusiasm for bombing Berlin is getting less and less”, and “there seemed to be slightly more apprehension this time”.

There is some feeling that “the reprisals are so poor because it's all the Germans can do”. On the other hand, people continue to believe “in a last desperate enemy raid”. The Bethnal Green shelter accident, however, is said to have “completely swamped discussion of other aspects”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 21 three provincial P.Cs. 22 twenty-six P.D.Rs.)

6. Aerial Defence

There is some criticism this week of anti-aircraft defences and of our inability to check attacks on coastal areas. At a place in the South Eastern Region, people were reported to be “fed up” after a raid, as “the place was full of guns and nothing happened”. While there is said to be a certain satisfaction that some of the planes may have been destroyed, it is not “considered much consolation” that they are brought down after having come in successfully and dropped their load.

There is also said to have been some disappointment in London after the Wednesday night raid that more planes were not destroyed: “the barrage and the wonderful defences are all very well but the results are not very impressive - casualties in London from A.A. guns were greater than casualties to German airmen”.

The disappearance of the balloon barrage from Belfast is reported to have been the subject of comment. It is said (a) to have gone to Londonderry; (b) to have gone to the East Coast of England; (c) to have been needed for ships in convoy.

(4. 5. 12. 13)

7. Russia

A slight falling off in interest and enthusiasm are reported this week, but admiration for Russian successes continues to be widespread, and sympathy for Russia remains very deep. Particular pleasure is expressed at the recapture of Rzhev - “a great moral triumph for the Russians” - and “the return of Timoshenko”.

People - generally “the more cautious” - are, however, wondering “how long the Russians can keep it up”, and a good many “believe the Red Army advance has nearly reached its limit” - it is not expected that more spectacular advances will be made. There are signs, too, that a number of people are trying to sum up “what has happened on the Eastern Front since the Russian drive began”. There is no tendency to “discount the indisputable Russian successes” but “it is pointed out that the Germans are still very strong”, and that, “despite their losses, they have maintained an intact front”. There continues, also, to be some “specticism of reported German losses”.

Russia's future role : Despite the admiration and gratitude of the majority, a good deal of uneasy speculation is reported about:

  1. “What will happen when the Germans have been pushed out of Russia” : Fear is creeping in that the Russians will become isolationist” then, and may make a separate peace. “Stalin's recent words, suggesting that the Red Army's task will be ended when it has liberated Russian soil, has reinforced this.”

  2. The Russian attitude after victory : The thought that Russia may defeat Germany “all by herself” makes people fear that, “by leaving Russia to be the European conquerer”, we shall “leave her also the right to decide how Europe shall be re-organised”. It is “noted that Stalin is constantly referring to the fact that Russia is winning the war unaided”, which “can only mean that she is now claiming the right to dictate the Peace”.

  3. Russo-Polish relations : Here, though opinions and sympathies are divided, there is considerable misgiving as to the outcome of the frontier “squabble”. It is felt that, “if Russia insists on maintaining her present attitude, harmony between the Soviet and this country may be endangered, as we began this war to defend the integrity of Poland”. In Northern Ireland, there is particular feeling about the right of self-determination of smaller nations.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 21 fourteen provincial P.Cs. 22 sixty-four P.D.Rs.)

8. North Africa

There seems to have been less comment on both the military and political situation in North Africa, and there is little new to report. “The Eighth Army's feat in withstanding and routing the German tank attacks” has relieved anxiety and “created better feeling all round”. Admiration for Generals Alexander and Montgomery and pride in the Eighth Army are very strong.

Some feeling persists, however, that “there is something obscure about the African fighting, and there is some surprise that Rommel had such adequate supplies”. It is felt that “the Allies are taking the Tunisian problem too easily”. “We have been told many times about our all-round superiority of men and supplies, yet the Axis can launch an offensive with some success.” People's chief worry is that “precious time is being lost”, and they are anxious to “get the job over so that we can invade Europe”.

General Eisenhower's appointment continues to be criticised (Four Regions), though less than before. He is said to be regarded now “more as a figurehead than anything, and General Alexander is considered to be in actual command”.

The fighting qualities of U.S. troops continue to be the subject of “unfriendly comment”, though less than last week. It is believed that “the lesson learnt will be valuable”, and that “this will give them a better understanding of British defeats in the earlier part of the war, and make them realise that these were ‘suffered by fine men’”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 22 fourteen P.D.Rs.)

9. The Far East

Destruction of the Japanese convoy in the Bismarck Sea : The news of this action has aroused enthusiasm in all Regions. While some felt that this was “one up for the Americans”, others stressed that it was “an Allied and not just an American success”. It is said “people felt they were in at the kill” because of the earlier news that “the convoy had been sighted and planes were assembled for the attack”. There is some tendency to believe that the “tide has turned in our favour in the East” and “the threat to Australia has been once more removed”. The radio account of the “shooting up of lifeboats” brought protests from two Regions - “surely this a breach of international usage” ... “even U-boats don't shoot up lifeboats” ... “it may lead to reprisals on our seamen”.

Gandhi's fast : Satisfaction continues to be expressed at the firm action of the Government in the matter of Gandhi's release (Five Regions), and relief that the fast has ended is “mingled with pleasure that it failed in its object”. It is thought that “Congress has lost many sympathisers because of this so-called fast”.....“Orange and Lime juice, - it's more than we get!”

China : Interest in, and a wish that “more might be done to help”, China is expressed in six Regional reports. Madame Chiang Kai-Shek's visit to the States is again mentioned, as also is the hope that she may be able to visit this country (Four Regions).

Burma : Little comment is noted on Burma, but one Region reports “some disappointment at the way operations in Burma are hanging fire” as “sympathy for China inspires demands for more positive action leading to the re-opening of the Burma Road”.

Mutiny of Japanese prisoners : The reports of the mutiny of Japanese prisoners in a New Zealand camp is said to have caused uneasiness among relatives of British prisoners of war in Japanese hands (Two Regions). It is felt that the publication of the facts may lead to reprisals.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 21 three provincial P.Cs. 22 nineteen P.D.Rs. 29.)

10. America

Apprehension about our future relations with the United States, and fear of “American Imperialism” becoming a dominant factor in the post-war world, are reported from three Regions. It is thought that, in view of the Republican attacks on the President, the attitude of America is likely to be imperialist and isolationist after the war in matters of trade, rather than co-operative.

Resentment is now expressed at recent American speeches, appearing in the press, which criticised Britain. It is thought that some Americans have quite “wrong-headed” views about the British Empire and that this is an obvious field for well directed and tactful British propaganda.

Some anxiety about the bases leased to America is reported from two Regions; this is said to arise from fear that “they will not be returned at the end of the war”.

(1. 4. 6. 12. 13)

11. The war at sea

Mr. A.V. Alexander's speech in the House on the 3rd March (referred to by four Regions) is described as having had a “reassuring effect”, and as having caused people to take a “more generally cheerful view of our Naval situation”, but the publication of our total naval losses “proved a shock” to some people. Four Regions report less public interest in the war at sea, but in the North East “it is closely and anxiously watched, and there is great desire for news, good or bad, as to the actual situation”. There is “measured satisfaction” in this Region at the recent statements, but it is realised that “the position has been bought at a considerable price in lives and ships”.

(1. 2. 3. 5. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 one provincial P.C. 22 four P.D.Rs. 29.)

12. Mr. Churchill's recent illness

There is “sincere thanksgiving by all classes” for Mr. Churchill's return to health. There is, however, “still some anxiety lest he undertakes more than his strength allows, and he is thought to have been doing too much before he was ill”. There is, too, some concern for the risks he takes - “Was the journey worth it?” - and “fear of what might have happened”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 8. 9. 10. 12. 21 twelve provincial P.Cs. 22 fourty-four P.D.Rs.)

13. “Where is Hitler?”

Rumour and speculation are reported from four Regions as to why Hitler is “dumb” and “afraid to show his face”. Suggestions made, half jokingly, are that he may be dead, “mentally deranged”, or in South America.

(3. 5. 9. 13)

14. Broadcasting and presentation of news

Praise for “the handling of the news by press and radio” is expressed in four reports, and very little criticism is reported. The restraint with which the news of the London shelter tragedy was handled is appreciated in the report from one Region, while in another its “immediate release” is praised.

Army Week programme : Appreciative comment on Sir James Grigg's broadcast introducing Army week (28th February) is reported from three Regions; the Army week programmes are said to have pleased the public - “It's time we heard something about our own army”. While the individual programmes are thought to have varied in quality, and some were considered “poor entertainment”, “The building of an Army” is specially praised as “giving the public a better appreciation of the transformation in training and equipment effected by the Army since early disasters”.

B.B.C. programmes : These are criticised for being “too full and too much alike” (Four Regions), and there are various complaints of too much jazz, too much “highbrow music”, and too many gramophone records. It is suggested that there should be more plays and light entertainment.

Colonel Oliver Stanley's speech at Oxford (5th March) does not seem to have caused much comment: two reports mention some criticism, but “public sentiment in Northern Ireland” is said to agree with his declaration that the administration of the British colonies “must continue to be the sole responsibility of Britain”. Once again the U.S. was thought to be the target of a speech about the British Empire.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 8. 9. 10. 13)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

15. Manpower

Although slightly less in volume this week, comment continues on familiar lines, and complaints reported are: (a) the number of young men in “soft jobs” (Five Regions); (b) the transfer of labour (Five Regions); (c) hardship caused to owners of a one man business by the call-up (Two Regions).

Comments on the call-up of women include: (a) both acceptance and complaint of the direction of older women into part-time work (Three Regions); (b) “alarm” at the shortage of domestic labour (Three Regions); (c) complaints of “the attitude of some Labour Exchange interviewers” (Three Regions), and of “bullying by Women's Local Appeal Board personnel” (One Region); (d) criticism of childless Servicemen's wives “still left to do as they like” (Three Regions).

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 four provincial P.Cs.)

16. Clothing and household linen

Coupons for household goods : Housewives still complain of the great hardship caused by the surrender of clothing coupons for household goods (Five Regions). People say: “The Government statement on this question doesn't impress”; “Does the Government realise the serious lack of towels in poor families?”

Clothing coupons : Families who cannot afford good quality clothes or who had no stock when rationing started are said to have great difficulty with the coupon allowance. The reaction to Dr. Hugh Dalton's statement that he has not used one of his coupons yet is - “Will people in high positions ever realise that poor people can't afford clothes that last for years and years?” Other coupon difficulties are reported over growing children, and “infants from birth to two years who grow so quickly”.

Stockings : It is said that the better quality stockings promised have “not yet been seen by most people”, and they ask “why so many rayon stockings should be made, which are not hard-wearing; fewer good quality lisle stockings should be made instead”.

Footwear : The poor quality and shortage of footwear is again reported, both for adults and children (Three Regions). One report suggests that “the Board of Trade should go down to some of the poorer districts and take a look at the sort of footwear the children are going about in”.

Elastic goods : Suspenders, suspender belts and corsets are said now to be “made of material which make them useless for the purpose for which they are intended”, and women complain of utility corsets which “give no support to those who are working and have to stand about”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 9. 10. 12. 21 one provincial P.C. 32.)

17. Health

The “low state of health” of many people is commented on in three Regions and also Postal Censorship reports. The wartime diet is regarded as the main cause; and to this are ascribed skin troubles, 'flu with bronchial or pneumonic symptoms, and the inability of people to throw off chills. The lack of fruit, fats and sugar are particularly mentioned.

Venereal disease : The campaign against venereal disease is referred to in five reports this week. Wholehearted approval of the airing of the subject and the demand for more factual information are reported. The Press advertising is generally praised.

(2. 3. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 21 four provincial P.Cs. 32.)

18. Transport and petrol

Transport difficulties , especially for war workers, are reported from ten Regions this week. Complaints follow familiar lines; (a) Inadequate bus services, especially on Sundays and in rural areas (Three Regions); (b) “ill fitting bus connections” (Two Regions); (c) bad manners of bus conductresses and drivers (One Region). The demand for workman's tickets for shift workers is again reported.

Petrol waste continues to be reported, this week from five Regions. The number of cars and taxis on the road is criticised, and there are complaints of the misuse of petrol. In the London Region, doctors are said to complain of an “insufficient petrol allowance”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 10. 12. 13)

19. Food

“We're not badly off at all”, continues to be the general view on the food situation. Grumbles are again reported about the following:

  1. The shortage and distribution of :

    1. Fish (Nine Regions). According to two reports, however, the situation is said to have improved in some areas.

    2. Milk (Three Regions). “The compulsory change from one distributor to another” has also caused some “bad feeling”.

    3. Sweets and chocolates (Three Regions).

    4. Rabbits (Three Regions).

    5. Eggs (One Region). There is said to be some confusion over the announcement on February 27th of “the new egg rationing period”: “Customers will never know to which allocation their last egg belonged”.

    6. Tinned fruit (One Region).

  2. The waste of bread (Three Regions).

  3. The high price of green vegetables (Two Regions): “It's a disgrace to see food rotting because people can't pay the price.”

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 21 twelve provincial P.Cs. 22 thirty-one P.D.Rs. 32.)

20. Fuel

The mild weather is again considered to have materially helped the fuel situation. People are still said to be doing their best to economise, though families working on different shifts are alleged to be having difficulty in “making do” on their coal allowance.

The poor quality of coal is again criticised, and it is said “to be causing trouble to housewives”. In the Northern Region it is felt that some action should be taken to overcome the presence of the large quantity of stone sold with the coal; and there are said to be rumours among miners in the North Midland Region of good seams of coal being saved by the owners for after the war, as “anything that's black” can be sold at present.

(1. 3. 4. 10. 21 one provincial P.C.)

21. Shortage of batteries

A shortage of torch batteries (particularly Number Eights) is reported from six Regions, as opposed to four last week; in one report a shortage of torch cases is mentioned. A shortage of cycle batteries is only reported from four Regions this week, as opposed to six last week.

(1. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 32.)

22. Shopping difficulties

Food queues are still reported to be the cause of “much wasted time”; and war workers complain that, as queueing is impossible for them, “those who are doing least for the war effort are able to get most of the extras”. The North Western Region reports the complaint that “shopkeepers will not allow friends to collect for war workers”.

(1. 2. 5. 8. 10. 11)

23. Salvage

Complaints of the non-collection of salvage from dumps are again made (Six Regions). “The park railings are all stacked up ready to go back at the end of the war.” The collection of railings from private dwellings is still causing great dissatisfaction both because of the “manner of demolition and because of the conviction that it should not be necessary while so many tons of scrap are lying about”. There is mention of “a scrap dump at Sheffield where, it is alleged, metal has been lying idle since the last war”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 11. 13. 32.)

24. Young people

Reports from four Regions this week refer to much comment on “the lax behaviour” of young people. This is attributed both to the high wages earned by juveniles and to lack of parental control, and takes the form of drinking. Girls of fifteen years old or even less, are said “to come in for particular censure for dressing up beyond their age and haunting camps, aerodromes and street corners”.

(2. 4. 10. 11)

III. APPENDIX

The British Empire

“Some aspects of public opinion on the British Empire and, in particular, the Colonial Empire” was the subject of an enquiry recently undertaken by B.B.C. Listener Research Department, as a background for possible talks on the subject.

The following is a summary of the conclusions:

1. The term “the Colonies” is still in general use among the British people to denote any part of the Empire outside the United Kingdom. The principal reason for this is a widespread ignorance of the difference between a Colony and a Dominion. In an appreciable number of cases, even where the distinction is realised, it is not observed in ordinary conversation, nor has the term “The British Commonwealth of Nations” one universally accepted meaning. To a great many it is nothing more than an alternative name for the British Empire, to be preferred because of its freedom from imperialistic associations. Others define it as a term for Great Britain plus all the self-governing Dominions; others do not include the United Kingdom within the term and many more would not regard it as including the Colonial Empire or the Indian Empire.

2. Many, if not most, people have their own opinions on how the Colonial Empire was acquired, the greatest measure of common agreement being on the proposition that it was acquired by conquest from native peoples. Only a minority realise that substantial territories were mandated to this country by the League of Nations.

3. The need for markets and raw materials and the spirit of adventure are held by the public to be the principal causes which led this country to acquire Colonies, though it is also believed that the need for living space was an important cause.

4. The vast majority of the British public consider the Colonial Empire to be an economic asset to Great Britain - a view which the war has driven home - but there is abundant evidence of uneasiness, at any rate among that section of the public which has a sense of social responsibility, about the present state of economic and social development of the Colonial Empire. It is clear that nothing has done more to bring this about than the fall of Malaya, which caused widespread questioning of our Colonial policy.

5. These misgivings, however, have not been such as to cause wholesale condemnation of British Colonial policy in the past. By far the most typical reaction to this is a feeling that, although our Colonial record is a mixed one, containing things of which we ought to be ashamed as well as things of which we have every right to be proud, it is a record in which the good exceeds the bad.

6. A very considerable section of the public has a formulated view on what the future Colonial policy of this country should be. It is highly significant that neither the view that the Colonies should be handed over to an international administrative authority, nor the view that Colonial territories should be re-allocated among the Powers - both of which were widely canvassed in the years before the war - received any significant support at all. But a very considerable measure of agreement does exist on what future Colonial policy should be. It is felt that the ultimate aim should be the admission of all Colonial territories into equal partnership with Great Britain and the self-governing Dominions; that a thorough overhaul of the present policies should be undertaken in the light of this aim, particularly with a view to eliminating any exploitation of native labour and bringing vested interests under control. The prevailing view is that if, pending the day when a Colony is self-supporting, it is necessary for it to be subsidised by the British tax-payer, this is a burden which must not be shirked.

7. The projected talks aroused considerable interest, and suggestions for the lines which they should take covered a very wide field. But more important than these were two points relating to the policy which, it was hoped, would underlie the talks. The first was that the talks should include a frank presentation of the problems as seen through the eyes of the Colonial peoples. The second, which was even more important, was that the series should at all costs be objective. It is quite apparent that if the public came to think that past mistakes were being glossed over, or present difficulties minimised, the series would do little but engender cynicism among precisely those who might otherwise derive most benefit from it.

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REFERENCES

1. Northern Region (Newcastle) Weekly Reports from R.I.Os.
2. North Eastern Region (Leeds)
3. North Midland Region (Nottingham)
4. Eastern Region (Cambridge)
5. London Region (London)
6. Southern Region (Reading)
7. South Western Region (Bristol)
8. Wales (Cardiff)
9. Midland (Birmingham)
10. North Western Region (Manchester)
11. Scotland (Edinburgh)
12. South Eastern Region (Tunbridge Wells)
13. Northern Ireland (Belfast)
14. Special Reports from R.I.Os.
15. Regions Adviser's Reports
16. M.O.I. Speakers' Reports
17. Local Information Committees' Reports
18. Home Press Summaries M.O.I.
19. Regional Press Summaries
20. Hansard
21. Postal Censorship
22. Police Duty Room Reports
23. Wartime Social Survey Reports
24. B.B.C. Listener Research Papers
25. B.B.C. Special Papers
26. Citizens' Advice Bureaux Reports
27. W.V.S. Reports
28. Scottish Unionist Whips' Reports
29. Liberal Party's Reports
30. Economic League's Reports
31. War Office Post Bag Summaries
32. Primary Sources

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