LONDON TOPICS

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3940, 25 March 1930, Page 2

LONDON TOPICS

TRADE UNION CONDITIONS

January 30. One of the most illuminating white papers I have seen for some time is that just published giving the conditions which various trade unions and friendly societies impose on members who are in receipt of benefit. Had it been available at the time the “genuinely seeking work” amendment to the Unemployment Insurance Bill was under discussion in the House of Commons, the Government would have had difficulty in getting through its clause, which the peers have temporarily deleted. The House of Lords will no doubt make a careful study of the white paper in drafting their proposed alternative. The trade unions call for a much higher standard of self-help on the part of recipients of benefit when their own money is being spent than when the taxpayer and the employer have to foot a large part of the bill. FINAL SCENE OF HATRY TRIAL. Fashionable women and smart city men queued up with special permits for the final scene of F.e Hatry trial. The chief actors in the dock, showing signs of the strain of waiting to know their fate, were obviously conscious of the scrutiny of many old associates. During his counsel’s ingenious plea on his behalf, Hatry, who is of Eastern European origin, shed a few tears. But Mr Justice Avory showed equally bv his manner and his words that a partner who threatens to commit suicide on your hearthrug is the flimsiest excuse for forging millions of shares. A fourteen-year sentence is not staggering, even though it is the maximum for what the judge described as “the worst fraud for fifty years,’ but it apparently surprised some city people, who prophesied from seven to ten as the probable sentence, and it palpably dazed the man concerned. What must hurt most, however, is the knowledge that, but for the merest chance, the coup might have been pulled off.

WILL MUSSOLINI ACT? Italy’s position under the extradition laws has been entirely misrepresented. So far from being exceptional in refusing to surrender her natives who have escaped home after incurring criminal responsibility abroad, this is merely the normal attitude of all nations. The only exceptions,_ w r here it is mutually agreed to give up “wanted” subjects to foreign justice, are U.S.A. and Ecuador, whose treaties with us include on both parts the surrender of their and our own sub--jects in such cases. The missing Italian partner in the Hatry case could, however, be prosecuted m his own country if the necessary information accompanied a request to that effect. It is a point of some interest whether Mussolini, whose Fascist ethics are quite Draconian, will take action. DRESSING THE DELEGATION. If the Naval Conference fails to assume an important sartorial aspect it will not be the fault of Saville Row. Since their arrival in London the delegates have been the recipients of countless square, cream-tinted envelopes containing the equally dignified, cream-tinted announcements of many West End tailors, spat makers, hat makers, and shirt makers. And those warranted as purveyors to Royalty have not overlooked the value of the Coats of Arms on their stationery. The conference means a lot to sartorial London if, when the work of the delegates is over, they leave for home in London suits and shoes, with London spats and sticks, and London shirts and ties. One London tailor suggests that before-and-after photographs of the American delegation, published on their return to New York, would be a really jolly advertisement for London tailoring.

TOO EASY!

The Master of the Temple is not nowadays the despot Scott shows us in ‘ Ivanhoe,’ but still exercises sovereign sway within his legal oasis. His order continues an ancient ritual at sundown, when a picturesque servitor regularly blows a conch in the gardens, startling the Temple goldfish, and tickling to death admiring Yankee pilgrims. This is to summon to dinner in hall students of law who a century or two ago might perhaps have been boating on Father Thames’s Blackfriars reach. Not long ago a Master was scandalised by nocturnal petticoats. He decreed no lady to he admitted after 10 p.m. unless her escort signed for her. Next morning that reverend master sternly inspected the halls at all the porters’ lodges. And found, according to gaily forged _ signatures, he had entertained thirtyseven of Eve’s daughters in a single night. BEHIND THE ARRAS.

The late Lord Esher was one of those fascinating personalities, of whom there‘are instances in all ages and most countries, who loom vaguely behind the arras. Queen Victoria trusted his judgment, and King Edward set great store by his advice, and he became our doyen of public ,committee men. Courtier, military expert, historian, politician, literary amateur, he scattered energies in many directions which might, had they been concentrated, have accomplished greater things. As it is, he may be popularly remembered mainly as Zena Dare’s father-in-law, though he has also a daughter who is the Ranee of Sarawak. He shared with Lord Birkenhead, a vastly different personality in all ways, a profound admiration for Dr Johnson and his works. His eldest son, the new peer, married an American lady, and was at one time Lord Morley’s private secretary.

WHEN THE KAISER WAS RUDE. Nobody has recalled, apropos of Lord Esher, a sensational episode in which the Kaiser figured. About twenty years ago Lord Esher criticised Germany’s naval programme. This so enraged the All Highest, then at his majestic zenith, that ho sent the late Lord Tweedmontb, who was First Lord of the Admiralty in ‘C.B.’s” Ministry, a very rude letter, telling him to advise Lord Esher not to meddle in naval affairs, but to confine bis attention, as Deputy-Governor of Windsor Castle, to the Royal lavatories. Only the Kaiser put it much more . coarsely than that. Owing to the intrigue and cupidity of a famous Titian beauty who was a pseudo-society figure in. London