July 22.

It is a self evident fact, confirmed every day, that British

Governments of recent decades and the present Administration have

utterly failed to fulfil the priority of any government, that is, the

protection of their law-abiding citizens.

Within recent weeks two regional chief constables have issued warnings

that it is dangerous for females to be on the public streets after dark,

while the most brutal and degenerate crimes are committed in broad

daylight.

Children are not safe while playing in the streets or in their own

play centres, burglar alarm systems are universally required, while

vandalism in the Government and local authority schools is costing tens

of millions of pounds each year.

Forty-odd years ago millions of people lost their lives fighting for

what Field Marshall Montgomery called ''a kinder world, a cleaner

breed.'' What has caused this appalling betrayal?

The logical answer to this is that the miscarriage of mercy is as much

to be guarded against as the miscarriage of justice.

T. M. Riddell,

Gonachan Cottage,

Fintry.