LONDON LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 295, 14 December 1938, Page 16

LONDON LETTER.

MUNICH REACTIONS.

THE PUBLIC AND HITLER.

AIR GUARD ' SCHEME CRITICISED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 11. The Prime Minister's stock was never higher than during the week following the ending of .the crisis. Had Mr. Chamberlain decided on a snap election there is little doubt that he would have won increased support. Some observers put the political value of Munich at 00

seats. A noteworthy feature of the Oxford by-election, regarded as a vote of thanks to the Government, was the enthusiasm of the women for the man they believed had saved peace. But the size of the Opposition vote surprised Government supporters. They were still more "surprised at the magnitude of the Labour victory at Dartford, which suggested that the relief and gratitude to Mr. Chamberlain for having averted war were beginning to wear off. The results of the remaining four by-elec-tions, now being fought chiefly on this question of foreign policy, will provide further evidence of public opinion on the Munich Agreement. Election in New Xear?

Opinion is hardening that a general election cannot be long delayed, and January or February are regarded as possible months for an appeal to the country. The Premier would prefer to let Parliament run to ita normal length, but events may force his hand. HenHitler may prove to be a deciding factor.

Mr. Chamberlain is working hard and fast as a "go-getter for peace," and in the near future he must meet Herr Hitler again with proposals for appeasement. -That will mean concessions. The Fuehrer is bound to ask what guarantee he has" that the concessions offered will be carried out, in view of the possibility, under a democracy,, of'a Government with different ideas coming into power. Herr Hitler's continued interest in the utterances of Opposition speakers indicates what his attitude is likely to be. The only answer will be to submit the Chamberlain policy to the electors and await their verdict. . Parliament on the Radio. Following the example of the New Zealand Government, the British Government is expected shortly to withdraw its opposition to going on the air. It is believed that ir. the near future permission will be given for part of the Parliamentary proceedings to be broadcast. 1 A scheme has been drawn up for the regular broadcasting of "question time," as part of the afternoon programme. The feature would be recorded and rebroadcast from the studio in the evening. There is no intention of lifting the radio ban on. the debates. Flying Lessons by Post. There is much criticism, behind the scenes, of the. Government's Civil Air Guard Scheme, hastily produced just before the crisis. So many of the 30,000 members enrolled in this new body live long distances from aerodromes that a,- suggestion is actually baing considered for instruction in elementary principles of flying to be taught by correspondence courses, in order to maintain enthusiasm until satisfactory arrangements for training can be made.

Critics of the scheme, however, assert that the £1,200,000 which it is already costing the country is waste of money; to spend more would be futile. They contend that the training id worse than useless as the 20-hour pilots would be harder to turn into effective airmen than would raw recruits.

It is declared that the R.A.F. would object to its ranks being swelled in an emergency by half-trained amateurs, most of them, in any case, too old to handle high-speed aircraft of the type used in the service. The future of the Civil Air Guard is uncertain; in fact the whole scheme may be scrapped. Book Banned For Seven Years.

A book written immediately after the 1931 election, when the first National Government was formed, has already earned £1800 in advance royalties for the author, though it has not yet been published, the reason for the seven-year delay is said to be pressure from the authorities to withhold publication.

Entitled "The Tragedy of Ramsay Mac Donald," the book is the work of Mr. MacNeill Weir, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Mr. Mac Donald for many years until the "split" in 1931, and it contains revelations of what hap*' pened behind the scenes at the time -of the formation of the National Government,

The publisher who originally commisKianed the book paid £1500 for the manuscript, hut did not publish because, it is* said, he was threatened with the Official Secrets Act. Later a second publisher paid £100 for the work, with royalties but lie also Tefraided from making J jse °f l" 3 purchase. Now a third publisher has paid £200 to the lucky Mrt> MacNeill. and this time, apparently, there will be no drawing back.

Italy and the Saez Canal. Should the Suez Canal" be run for the advantage of its shareholders? The' company owning the canal is registered in faris, but its largest ishareholder is the British Government. Italy wants the arrangements for worfcing the canal to be changed. As one of the principal users she claims a right to share in the administration of the undertaking. _ The question is likely to occupy a prominent place in the "forthcoming discussions between Italy and France. .

The Italians contend tl**t the canal dues are extortionate aauft hinder the development of trade with their East African empire. If the demand for participation is not granted Italy will pre** for the overhaul of the whole system of dues, leading tona general reduction.

Unofficial Unions in Germany. What is the strength of the underground opposition to Herr Hitler in Germany* A map of Germany, on which were 148 red dots, was shown recently in London. In the Rhinoland and the industrial west the dots were many, and close together; in the south they were widely spaced; in the «east there were hardly any at all; but «ach dot, so it was claimed, represented a forbidden trade union organisation.

The men who form these societies, at grave risk to life and liberty, do not. aim at sabotage. Their purpose is to keep in touch with workers in other countries and to encourage Germans to be ready for the task of rebuilding trade unionism in their own country when the time comes. They endeavour to spread the news of facts which the authorities suppress. A million leaflets, printed in German by English Socialists J and setting forth the events leading up l to the Munich talks, were sent to Ger-i many in 00 ships. They have r been'J distributed all over the Keich.