A B C of modern socialism

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music, games, travel—isn’t it all innocent and jolly? Of course! And yet there are ‘the interests.” The assumption once was that the moneyed and propertied interests were identical with the national interests. But not now. When John Smith and Co., Ltd., or the trade association to which they belong, press the Government for an increased import duty on this or that, they are thinking in terms of profits and dividends. As we all know, they do not say to the Prime Minister that they want more money—that would be a faux pas—they solemnly declare that the interests of the country demand it. And they all shake their heads as good patriots do. Only the Archbishop of Canterbury believes them. It is one of the accepted hypocrisies of capitalist politics. When the House of Industry is constituted, all that disappears. Public policy is no longer dominated by private interests, by nonfunctional or even anti-functional groups; it can be pursued with a single eye to the public welfare.

Since public policy is necessarily guided by public opinion, the organs that create or influence public opinion must come under scrutiny. The freedom of the Press must be guarded; but is the Press really free? How far is it the more or less willing instrument of the advertising and financial “interests”? But wait! With the House of Industry and the House of Culture what becomes of ‘the advertising and financial interests? There is not a serious journalist who would not welcome the return of a Press which freely speaks its mind and also opens the door to others to speak freely. The very existence of the so-called “Press Lords” is a