The Henson Journals

[363]

Tuesday, May 31st, 1921.

[symbol]

"The war impoverished the continent, even more than England, & therefore did not lessen the relative advantage, which she had obtained before the war, in those manufacturing industries which required a large stock of capital. Whatever of lasting economic effect it produced, was perhaps mainly through its indirect influence in arresting her social and political development, & even causing some reaction.

Marshall. "Industry & Trade". p. 66

This is written of the Wars with France which ended in 1815: it will serve to state the facts at the present time. It is the "indirect incidence" of the War in creating a semi–revolutionary situation which is really threatening our industry. The frequent and protracted conflicts between capital and labour are disintegrating the whole industrial [system?] & threatening unparalleled disasters. These conflicts are increasingly directed towards large, vague objects, which, if attainable at all, are only attainable at the price of a complete destruction of the existing system. Economic disputes are fought out in the spirit of religious fanaticism. Indeed it would appear that the spiritual element in human nature, unable any longer to find expression in the traditional forms of Christianity, is finding a way for itself in the region of economics. Socialism and Communism is the latest religion of Europe.

[364]

Out of a population of no less than 1,520,922 in the county of Durham, it is reported to me that only 117,961 persons have entered their names on the electoral rolls of the parishes ̶ a percentage of no more than 7.75. The Rural Deaneries stand thus:–

1.	Hartlepool	17.28.
2.	Stockton	10.92.
3.	Auckland	10.86.
4.	Durham	10.81.
5.	Darlington	8.90.
6.	Lanchester	8.86.
7.	Easington	8.34.
8.	Stanhope	7.19.
9.	Wearmouth	6.66.
10.	Houghton–le–Spring	5.41.
11.	Chester–le–Street	4.75.
12.	Gateshead	4.74.
13.	Jarrow	4.19.

---