NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 113, 5 February 1924, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY

MR. Massey no doubt will be given a very hearty welcome home by the supporters of his party at the Town Hall to-morrow Political party gatherings of this nature are not as common as y used to be, and the present occasion should be of more than usual interest. Mr. Massey is fresh from the centre, of world affairs, and what he has to tell should prove well worth listening to. Whether or not he proposes to touch at all seriously on local political ’questions remains to be seen. There has been a good deal of talk of an early dissolution and an appeal to the country, but on present appearances this seems an unlikely contingency. So long as the Government can carry on tbe business of the country in a satisfactory manner a general election is both unnecessary and undesirable. Maybe Mr. Massey may have something to say on the subject to-morrow evening.

In what he had to say to Empire journalists about the Kenya question, the new Secretary for the Colonies (Mr/ Thomas) adopted in great part the attitude of the late. British Government. He took the right stand, but broke no new ground, in declaring that “our first duty was to the African natives,” and that neither European nor Indian interests would be allowed to impede the fulfilment of this duty. A direct indication that the Labour Government is not likely to yield to Indian clamour with regard to Kenya is afforded, however, in Mr. Thomas’s statement that the policy outlined in the White Paper recently issued would most likely be followed. The policy outlined in the White Paper is that the reservation of “the Highlands” for white settlement is to continue, and that the Indians in Kenya must be content with the existing arrangement under which they and the white settlers are granted separate communal representation.

As a sample of the foreign policy of the British Labour Government the Note to Russia extending de jure recognition of the Soviet is calculated to inspire confidence. Recognition is offered in such terms that obviously it will amount to little unless outstanding questions relating to pre-war treaties, hostile propaganda by the Soviet Government and private claims, and other matters are brought to a satisfactory settlement. The tentative character of the action taken is emphasised in the postponement of any appointment of Ambassadors. The British Note appears to have given great satisfaction in Russia and the impression conveyed at the moment is that the more or less nominal concession made may do a good deal to hasten and facilitate a real settlement between the two countries.

The latest review of British trade takes an encouraging view of the immediate outlook, notably in the forecast by the Federation of British Industries of a marked improvement m trade during the next few months. These hopeful anticipations, however, are subject to the reservation that their fulfilment is conditional on the absence of industrial disturbances. It should perhaps be added that any rapid improvement in European conditions may in some respects react unfavourably on British trade and industry.. An approach to agreement on the reparations question, which now seems possible, and a consequent modification of the state of tension lately ruling between France and Germany will tend generally to stimulate trade. On the other hand as normal conditions are restored in Germany her exports no doubt will heavily increase, and this is bound to mean intensified competition for British manufacturers in their unprotected home market and in foreign markets. Definite reasons may appear before long for questioning the wisdom of the verdict for free trade cast by the British electors in December last. ,

Threats of another dock strike in the British ports rather more than offset the favourable impression made by the speedy settlement of the railway strike. A dock strike which lasted for seven weeks and occasioned great loss and inconvenience was called off as recently as August last. The issue then in dispute was a reduction of wages by a shilling a dav following on a decline in the cost of living Under the leadership of*an unofficial strike committee, and against the advice of their regular officials, the dockers in London -and other ports disputed the accuracv of the Ministry of Labour’s cost of living figures. The strike as stated, failed, and was called off, but the members of the vnofficial strike committee indicated that they did not regard the defeat as final. Apparently a new union has been formed out of a revolting section of the Transport and General Workers Union. Old and new unions, however, seem now to be agreed in demanding an increase in wages. The position obviously is difficult. The employers maintain that the industry cannot bear the increase. On the other hand it appears to be admitted that many dock workers do not get enough work to enable them to earn adequate wages, lhe lemedy, as one commentator suggested, may be the abolition of casual labour at the docks. It is doubtful, however, whether that remedy, or an offer to apply it, will avert an upheaval which would react seriously on virtually all classes of British trade and industry.