Rebuilding Britain

A Survey of Problems of Reconstruction after the World War

By

Sir Alfred Hopkinson, K.C.

Cassell and Company, Ltd London, New York and Melbourne 1918

CONTENTS

Part I.—The Course

1. ASPIRATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS

Part II.—Peace

A.—INTERNATIONAL PEACE

2. LEAGUE OF NATIONS—THE NEED

3. LEAGUE OF NATIONS—THE SCHEME

4. LEAGUE OF NATIONS—THE CONDITIONS

5. LEAGUE OF NATIONS—ITS SCOPE AND AIM

6. CONCLUSIONS REACHED

7. VICTORY AND PEACE

B.—POLITICAL PEACE

8. PEACE AND THE CONSTITUTION

9. PEACE AND DEMOCRACY

C.—INDUSTRIAL PEACE

10. INDUSTRIAL COUNCILS

11. LONG HOURS

12. WAGES

D.—RELIGIOUS PEACE

13. CO-OPERATION

Part III.—Retrenchment

14. STATE EXPENDITURE AND INCOME

15. NATIONAL EXPENDITURE

Part IV.—Reform

16. THE FIELD

17. RESTORATION OF LAW AND LIBERTY

18. RESTORATION OF INDUSTRY

19. HOUSING

20. AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

21. AFFORESTATION

22. LAW REFORM

23. PURIFICATION OF POLITICAL LIFE

Part V.—The Goal

24. UNION AND REGENERATION

Part I

THE COURSE

CHAPTER I

ASPIRATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS

The suggestion has been made to me that in these days of rapid development, when proposals, so bewildering in their extent, for change and for reconstruction are being made, it would be useful to present in popular form and in the compass of a small volume some general statement of the character of the varied problems which have arisen and of the principles which should guide in their solution. Possibly it seemed that a long and varied life engaged in law, politics, and education, which also had touched to some slight extent on the actual work of certain departments of Government, and had offered opportunities for travel in European countries and in the East, might furnish some qualifications for such a task. It is not one that can be undertaken without a sense of inadequate knowledge,