Listen to Harold Laski, on a similar situation in Nazi Germany—"[unclear: Much] of the socialist and democratic literature of the past is now inaccessible to readers except by permission."

People with balanced minds were those who have been brought up on loyalty, and who realise that it was practical to stick up for one's country and present a united front to the rest of the world. We don't want so much art taugnt in our schools, Major Murchison affirmed; our children must be given a practical education from a national point of view.

"Therefore give the children 'My country right or wrong' for all you are worth." That would do them no harm and would build their characters. Character was the most important thing in life, and men of good character and balanced minds would almost inevitably cling to the doctrines taught them in their cradle days.

Right or Wrong

The state was like the family, which might have its quarrels and arguments within but which should always' be united and loyal in the eyes of the rest of the world. Our democratic state allowed plenty of opportunity for criticism from its members. They were people who could think for themselves (in spite of indoctrination in the cradles designed to prevent this), and they could see the faults in their country, but when another nation began to ask questions they must deny these faults and be steadfast and loyal in their patriotism.

Major Murchison was a super pessimist. "It seems," he said, "that there must, unfortunately, always be strife. Here in Christchurch, for instance, it is only the police force that keeps the peace. Similarly, only a magnificent fighting force (a British one of course) can keep world peace." Therefore we must all back ourselves up Right or Wrong. When Canta suggested that all other nations would do the same, he replied, "They will," but apparently had no further observation to make, except that "disarmament is no good."

The Major admitted modestly that he had been sceptical of the League of Nations right from the start. The tronble was that it was pledged to defend the law of right, and "there is no doubt that foreigners have different ideas of honour from our own. The Germans," he granted graciously, "probably don't realise that they are being dishonourable in not honouring their pledges." So at present only Britain subscribes to our ideas of honour, and is the only nation which could be trusted to defend them.

When Canta asked if other countries were also to teach their children 'My country right or wrong,' Major Murchison agreed that would be quite all right. "The trouble with France," he said, "was that her Communists and Socialists there had been neglected in their cradle days and didn't breathe the fresh air of un-questoning patriotism. He said that it was right and proper for Communists in Russia to follow their country right or wrong. "Then," said Canta, "what if Russians following that doctrine came into conflict with Britishers following the same "doctrine?" "Well, of course, if the Russians came outside their borders we must stop them." This, according to Major Murchison, would make for peace rather than for war. It would keep our status quo.

Foreigners had their own systems, but they hadn't as much to offer the world as we have. Therefore, we couldn't afford to let our country down, to Germany, for instance, which Major Murchison impressed on us to be the one country we don't want, presumably because their people followed their country right or wrong.

When Canta suggested that his doctrine of "My country right or wrong" was suspiciously like the Nazi doctrine, he protested that there was no comparison, for the British people, being democratic, wouldn't allow their country to do anything wrong.

"Take South Africa," he said. Canta took it "There you have Britain's action vindicated when you see a great commander, General Smuts, as staunch an imperialist as anyone, and of his own free will." When Canta drew his attention to General Hertzog, Major Murchison chewed his cud judicially for a moment, and then pronounced, "Well, I should say definitely that he had been bought," which is very comforting and very impartial.

To Canta's unbalanced mind it seems that the good Major is promoting a doctrine which would make the world into a whole lot of reproductions of Nazi Germany, each one worshipping its deceased self, and none of them caring a damn for any of the others. He seems to visualise a balance being kept by the might of Britain, which is very comforting for us, and very nice for everyone else. There is no reason to suppose that in Britain as in Germany his honeyed doctrine of My country right or wrong will not develop into a demand for unquestioning obedience to a collection of gangsters. No, Major Murchison, we have more faith in the Empire than to believe that it will adopt your medieval notions.

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