162

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence Division No. 76 .
Copy No. 206

18th March, 1942

In reading this report it is important to bear in mind that it is not meant to be a record of facts , except in so far as public opinion is itself a fact. It is a statement and reflection of the public's views and feelings about the war in general. Therefore, in matters on which public opinion is ill-informed, prejudiced or inconsistent the report does not imply any endorsement of the views which are expressed in it.

163 165 3 167 5 168 6 169 7

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE DIVISION WEEKLY REPORT NO. 76

18th MARCH, 1942

(Covering period from 9th to 16th March, 1942)

Note: The figures in brackets refer to sources of information, a list of which was issued with all reports up to and including No. 66, 7th January, 1942.

I GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

Although the calmer note perceptible in public feeling last week is still apparent, it is now reported to be “crystalising into an unsatisfactory state” in which a lack of urgency, and a depression verging on apathy appear to predominate. A sense of “bewildered frustration” continues, and with it a certain aimlessness and absence of inspiration. Uncertainty of the ultimate purpose for which we are fighting is reported from two Regions; neither civilians nor members of the Services “know for what aims they are sacrificing their labour and their lives”.

The efficiency of both Germany and Russia is contrasted with our own “dilatory muddling”, and “the majority voice a rising demand for stronger action at home and abroad, for a bold policy which will end the conviction that the country is having to drive its Government instead of looking to it for leadership”.

There seems to be, however, a “decline of interest in Cabinet personalities”. Confidence in Mr. Churchill remains very strong, though in some quarters there appears to be a feeling “that he no longer has quite the same grip on the people”. “Vigorous control”, it is felt, is now needed, and there are signs that a note of “Cromwellian” austerity is beginning to be reflected in the public mood; finding expression in a demand for the imposition of further sacrifices: “Let them tell us, not ask us or test us”. A propos of this, twelve R.I.Os refer to public approval of the new restrictions on petrol, waste paper etc. It is felt that these are regarded as “a first step in a general tightening of the belt”. (No reactions are yet available to the new fuel and clothing restrictions announced on 17th March.)

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 21)

2. Sir Stafford Cripps' Indian mission : A widespread welcome has been extended to the announcement of Sir Stafford Cripps' mission to India which has been acclaimed as “an act of first-class statesmanship”. Apprehensions for the safety of India are, however, only partly allayed by this “eleventh hour” mission, and though Sir Stafford is hailed as “the man of the moment”, there seems to be some feeling that his appointment will have come too late to be fruitful; a minority appears to be disappointed that Dominion status has not already been granted to India. Some disappointment is also expressed “that Cripps, regarded by some as the lynch-pin of the reformed Government, should be absent even a short time from the Home Front”, where it is felt he would “give to our war effort....that sense of urgency which it is felt to lack”.

A feeling is also reported in various terms by five R.I.Os that “Cripps has been safely side-tracked, and got out of the way before he gets too popular”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

3. The Far East

The deterioration in the Far Eastern position appears to have been met with a resignation bordering on “fatalistic indifference”, and “the continued disasters are accepted for the time being, at least, as inevitable”. This indifference is thought to result partly from the fact that “distance still seems to serve as an insulation against the feeling of shock”. But misgivings abound and are due, it is suggested, to ignorance of the prevailing conditions, and to a belief in the futility of the “British administration”.

Java Sea Battle : People appear to be “so conditioned to bad news from the Far East that they accepted the news of our naval losses off Java on February 27th without surprise”. Five R.I.Os report little discussion about this event, which is, however, considered “a serious defeat and heavy blow, clearly demonstrating our loss of sea power in the Far East and our general paucity of warships”. There is little disposition to apportion blame; on the contrary, pride is expressed that our Navy, in spite of Japanese superiority, “attacked and met their end in a gallant fashion”. The “prompt factual and unvarnished Admiralty communiqué” is said to have been much appreciated.

The Hong Kong atrocities : R.I.Os are unanimous in expressing the “wave of horror that has swept over people.” at the announcement of these outrages, and it is thought that Mr. Eden's disclosures have done much to stimulate anger against the Japanese. It is noticeable however, that in three R.I.Os reports a clear distinction is drawn between the Japanese and the Germans, and that, “hatred for the Germans would appear already to be diminishing in intensity”. A “sophisticated” minority is reported as being inclined to treat these stories, and the publication of photographs, with some reserve and as so much propaganda - “to make us work harder”.

Burma : The fact that the stand in Burma is being prolonged beyond general expectation is said to be the cause of a faint increase in confidence in this theatre of war. This, however, tends to be offset by “a deep sense of humiliation” over the loss of Rangoon. The proposed evacuation of Ceylon is said to leave “little hope in the minds of the people that we can stop the Japs in Burma”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

4. Australia :

Though some anxiety and speculation are still evident, little discussion of the subject is reported.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13)

5. Russia

R.I.Os throughout the country report continued admiration for Russia, confidence in her ultimate victory, and a continued tendency on the part of the public to compare Russia's achievements with our own set-backs. Postal Censorship confirms these aspects of public opinion in a special report from which the following is an extract: “The majority of writers seem to pin their faith almost entirely on the Russians - ‘the chaps who don't talk but keep on killing Huns’. Comparisons are drawn by a large number of writers who think that ‘if we had some of the Russian spirit and some of the Russian generals we would win this war in half the time’”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 Special)

6. The Services

The R.A.F : Indications that the promised air offensive is being put into effect have aroused considerable satisfaction. Seven R.I.Os report approval of the policy of bombing France, and it is suggested that the public's resentment of the Vichy government's attitude is stronger than its sympathy for the French.

The “comb-out of army officers” : This measure continues to win approval. The hope is expressed that it will be extended to the Home Guard, which, it is alleged is “full of Blimps”, and said to contain too many elderly men who constitute a liability rather than an asset.

(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10)

7. Broadcasting and news presentation

Reports still indicate dissatisfaction with the presentation of news by both the B.B.C. and the Press, and there appears to be a growing tendency on the part of the public to expect enemy communiqués to be confirmed by our own announcements a few days later. “Concern and uneasiness” are also expressed “at the publishing of claims made by the enemy of losses inflicted on Allied Forces without any comment by our authorities as to whether such claims are true or otherwise”.

The B.B.C. continues to be criticised for:

Confirmation of the popularity of Sir Stafford Cripps and of Mr. Anthony Eden and of the public's interest in Russia, which have been frequently referred to in Home Intelligence reports, is given by a Listener Research Report on Sir Stafford Cripps' B.B.C. Postscript on February 8th. This broadcast and that of Mr. Eden's (4th January) after his return from Russia, are high up in the Popularity Index for Sunday night Postscripts. Sir Stafford's figure of 92 has only once been equalled (by Seaman Laskier's second Postscript, October 28th 1941); Mr. Eden was close behind, with 91. In both cases the popularity was attributed to interest in the speakers and “to the general thirst in this country for knowledge about Russia, coming from persons with a first-hand knowledge of it”.

(2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 24)

II SPECIAL COMMENTS

8. Industry

Dissatisfaction with production is again widely reported this week, and is mentioned in one form or another by eleven R.I.Os. In the main, criticism follows the lines indicated in our Report last week, and may be summarised in the words of the R.I.O. Midland Region: “The managements blame the apathy of labour, and Government control; labour blames the managements; and the general public is always ready to criticise both”.

The workers : Employers and a considerable section of the public express dissatisfaction with the workers, the following factors being frequently mentioned:-

(a) Apathy and indifference : There is said to be “a complete absence of understanding among many work people that this is their war”. Labour managers in factories “stress the lack of recognition by workers of the relation of the work being done and the object for which it is being done”; they point out that it is “only the older men who knew the horrors of the last war who put their backs into things - the youngsters are all out for what they can make out of it financially”. There seems to be a growing feeling that “the workman is working for himself alone, will go on just as long as he needs the money, and when he has enough for his requirements stay away until the need arises again”.

(b) Absenteeism: This is reported by three R.I.Os this week, and two factors are held to be responsible:-

(c) Piece work : Two R.I.Os mention the “go-slow policy which is said to persist in many factories”. Here the “fear of cuts in piece rates is a major factor, enthusiastic new-comers being regarded as ‘black-legs’ by seasoned workers”. An “official assurance of the stability of piece rates” is said to be badly needed. As another example of the “slowing action” attributed to piece rate work, workmen are are quoted as saying, “It isn't worth working the last half hour of a shift, as I couldn't finish the job, and I'm not going to work for nothing”.

(d) Considering their post-war position : “Women complain of a lack of co-operation on the part of men who, they believe, are jealous of the fact that women can handle with skill machines which were normally only operated by men, and who fear that jobs now occupied by women may not be returned to the men, after the war”. This fear was referred to in Home Intelligence Weekly Report, 17th December.

The Managements : Dissatisfaction with managements is expressed in connection with the following matters:-

(a) Cost plus ten percent system : “There appears to be a widespread conviction that this system is in general use, and that it is the cause of most instances of inefficiency”.

(b) Considering their post-war position : The workers are said to be convinced that “the employer is making profits, and that Government material is being used to make peace time articles to put away in the factory and sell at a high price when the war is over”. The allegation is also made in the case of mine owners, “who are said to be opening up the bad seams now, and keeping the good seams for post-war times when they can make a profit”. The need for “properly directed publicity designed to rebut the idea that firms are amassing huge profits” is stressed.

(c) Nepotism : Dissatisfaction is reported with directors who are alleged to find their children jobs which enable them to avoid being called up. In some cases they are said to be “merely nominal employees, attending the works for an hour or so a day.

The Government : Dissatisfaction with the Government is expressed over the following subjects:-

(a) Essential Works Order : Three R.I.Os report “helplessness of managements on account of the Essential Works Order.” The employers “complain that disciplinary action against workers is impossible, as they cannot dismiss them”; and it is that “a man who is wilfully absenting himself from causing trouble should be threatened with enrolment in the armed forces”.

(b) Wasted training : Dissatisfaction is expressed at what are believed to be cases of people undergoing specialised training and then being given employment which has no connection with what they have been taught.

Aerodrome sites : Four R.I.Os report strong public feeling at “slackness at aerodrome sites”. Two of them refer to “men reporting for work each morning (during a recent period of frost) doing nothing and drawing their wages as usual at the end of the week, though there was no possibility of them working owing to the state of the ground”. Stories of “leisurely construction and needless waste” are supported by an extract from Postal Censorship, “The war will be over before these aerodromes are finished; I know of huts and buildings that will never be occupied, and we had the job to pull a brick building down that was never used”. It is suggested that “the Air Ministry should appoint independent expert supervisors to each aerodrome - men who are agents of neither the contractors nor of labour and who would be empowered to see that both contractors and workmen were doing their bit efficiently and without needless waste of time, materials, labour, money or petrol”.

Women's call-up .: The demand continues for:-

(a) Shopping facilities : According to four R.I.Os, “employers continue to complain of factory hours lost by married women owing to shopping difficulties”. It is said that these difficulties are greatly increased by the mid-day closing of shops, and it is felt that “if shop-keepers will not co-operate, they should be made to do so by law”. A scheme, mentioned in our Reports (28 Jan. and 11 Feb.) has been arranged by the managements and shop-keepers in Luton, whereby the shops would remain open until 9 p.m. on one evening each week, the service being reserved after 6 p.m. for women with factory passes. It is thought that this arrangement should do much to relieve the shopping problems of factory workers, and “considerable local exasperation” is reported as it is believed that the scheme is being held up by the Home Office, and may not be sanctioned “for at least six months”.

(b) Day Nurseries : “The lack of arrangements for the care of children continues to excite comment, and day nurseries are much in demand”. One R.I.O. reports that “child-minding appears to be thoroughly unpopular, and it is little use boosting this mode of care, which appears to appeal to neither party”. Some disquiet is reported, in view of what is believed to be the shortage of trained personnel for day nurseries over cases of “young women who have just completed their training and should be most valuable on the staffs of such nurseries, who have been called up for the Women's Services.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 21 Special P.C., 26, 28)

9. Wage Disparities

Comments are again reported on:-

(a) Differences between Servicemen's and war workers' pay : “People are saying ‘We conscript for the Forces; why not for munitions work? Why should there be such a vast difference between pay for the men and women in the Forces and for those able to stay in comparative security and with a certain amount of home life?’ ”.

There is said to be particular resentment at the bonus paid to civilian workers for dangerous work, in view of the fact that soldiers have to undertake dangerous work as a matter of course and at a much lower wage.

Comparisons continue to be made between the position of Servicemen's dependants, and the families of war workers.

(b) Disparities in the pay of different kinds of workers : Several instances are given of what are considered anomalies in the wages of different groups of workers. In one Region colliers are reported to have obtained certificates of their unfitness for colliery work, and then to have gone to an R.O. Factory “where they receive much higher wages”. One such collier is described as “openly saying that the men are mugs to stay at the pit when, by moving to the factory, they can earn £7 to £8 per week”. The case of another collier is quoted whose two daughters, aged 19 and 20, each take home practically the same wages as their father.

(c) Differences between the wages of adults and juveniles : Resentment continues to be reported at the high wages of juveniles. It is pointed out, for example, that “farm labourers' sons, on leaving school to work on aerodrome sites, earn from £4 to £5 a week, while their fathers only get £3”.

(2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 15, 21 Special P.C.)

10. Petrol restrictions

The abolition of the basic ration appears to have been very well received, on the whole, and to have occasioned little grumbling. It has been welcomed as “another sign that the Government is doing something at last”. The following points have, however, been raised:-

(a) Some alarm has been expressed at “the increased strain which is bound to be placed on the public transport services, and it is feared that no extra transport facilities will be available”.

(b) The new restrictions appear to have “increased public feeling about the waste of petrol by the Services”, which is reported by three R.I.Os this week. The same feeling is reported over the National Fire Service, considerable resentment having apparently been caused “by Press reports of the waste of petrol by the N.F.S. in connection with football matches”.

(c) It is asked in Wales how the restrictions will affect the system of civilian National Service, in so far as it is “based on the private car, licensed and insured by the owner. If the car's use is to be limited to strictly official business, it is felt that the owner cannot be expected to maintain it at his own expense”.

(3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

11. The new Waste Paper Salvage Order

The new regulations concerning waste paper are also reported to have been welcomed, though there is some feeling that “the order is ineffective since it cannot be put into full operation”; for example, it is asked how any check can be made on the amount of paper being used in the lighting of domestic fires?

It is suggested that:

(a) More guidance is needed on how to light fires without paper.

(b) More ticket receptacles are needed on public transport vehicles.

(c) Unnecessary publications should be stopped. It is also pointed out that “periodicals are still being issued with fully two-thirds of each edition containing advertising matter”, and that these “should be drastically cut”.

(d) “The Government is the worst waster of paper”, and should set an example.

(e) A few prosecutions are needed to bring home the seriousness of the matter to people.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12)

12. The Women's Services

Two R.I.Os report that, while there is still a strong prejudice against the Women's Services on the part of “parents of the old-fashioned type”, the “girls themselves show no reluctance to serve”. Postal Censorship, while confirming the relatives' prejudice, also refers to “sixteen letters that mention girls marrying to avoid conscription”.

Allegations are still reported that trained women are being wasted in the Forces.

(2, 3, 10, 21 Special P.C.)

13. Black Markets

The news of stern treatment for black market offenders, against whom the feeling is as strong as ever, has been welcomed, and it is hoped and believed that the new penalties will be strictly enforced.

(2, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16)

14. Food

General : There continues to be little grumbling about the food situation. Although there appears to be a growing realisation of the difficulties that lie ahead, the public on the whole do not seem to be dismayed at the idea of “tightening their belts”.

Food hoarding : The repeal of the order not to buy or keep more than one week's supply of goods, has been received with general satisfaction by housewives anxious to avoid the stigma of “hoarding” under which the more thrifty of them had lived in the past.

Change in flour ration : This change is apparently accepted as part of our more abstemious war effort, and housewives seem. on the whole, to be uncomplaining.

Points rationing : The recent changes in points values appear to have caused little concern, with the exception of the “prohibitive increase” in points value for tinned salmon.

Fresh fish : There are indications that the fresh fish position is improving, but “much annoyance has been caused by the fact that salmon costs 8/- or 10/- a 1b.” and that this, together with the high coupon value or tinned salmon has excluded this fish from many households altogether. It is suggested that “it should be taken off the market, canned and put on points in order to ensure a more equitable distribution”.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 21 Manchester P.C.)

15. Clothes rationing

Before the President of the Board of Trade's announcement of the coupon cut the forecast of this move appears, like most other restrictions - as mentioned in Section 1 of this report - to have been accepted “with a good grace”.

16. Rumours

The Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth are again reported to have been sunk; in each case the report comes from three Regions.

London Region reports that other ships rumoured to have been sunk are H.M.Ss. Duke of York , Ramillies , and Exeter ; while “a lot of damage is rumoured to have been done to shipping when Italian warships sailed into the harbour during an attack on Alexandria at the time the Barham was sunk”.

Also from London Region comes a rumour that “after the war the Government are going to stop cashing War Savings Certificates for ten years”.

From two Regions come rumours that the following foods are to be rationed: potatoes, flour, bread, coffee and cocoa. One Region reports that a reduction in the rations of tea and butter is expected.

(2, 5, 7, 10, 12)

17. Constant topics and complaints

High prices : Complaints continue to be reported about the “ridiculously” high prices of articles in short demand, such as green vegetables, wines and spirits and household crockery.

Transport : From the North Western Region come complaints of the inadequacy of transport services in a number of areas, and the suggestion is made that long distance omnibuses should be allowed to pick up passengers within corporation bus areas in order to reduce the pressure.

Soap rationing : Some concern is expressed over the official delay in announcing the extra allowances.

(2, 3, 5, 7, 10)