Clang!

The Labor Government's economic iron curtain clanged down this week. According to the London Daily Mail, Britain had become a "concentration camp." Right up until Tuesday, boat trains and planes for the Continent were booked to capacity. Clutching the precious -L-35 that Britons were then permitted to spend abroad, the last "butterflies"* did their best to flit out from under the descending net.

But Wednesday was dismal for travelers and travel services alike. The train for the Folkestone-Boulogne service had only 59 passengers (the day before there had been 404); the Dover-Calais train left with 133 passengers compared with 377 the day before. The same day, the British European Airways Corp. announced that it would have to cut its Continental services and sack one-third of its staff.

Even for stay-at-home Britons Wednesday was dreary. From that day there was no more gasoline for pleasure driving. On Wednesday, too, railway fares increased twopence to threepence on the shilling. Other Wednesday black marks: coal prices increased as much as six shillings a ton; the new clothing coupon period started, but now there were fewer coupons; under the Exchange Control Act, officials began opening parcels and letters suspected of containing notes or valuables. There was only one bright spot: Britons were at last permitted to turn on their heaters to combat the October evening chill.

Said the News Chronicle next day: "Good morning, everybody. It is Thursday, ergo, you will have survived Austerity Wednesday, which was yesterday. Congratulations !"

*Unemployed socialites.

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