FRIENDS FOR DECADE

Evening Star, Issue 19003, 27 July 1925, Page 5

FRIENDS FOR DECADE

BRITISH SHIPPING INDUSTRY CELEBRATION DINNER Press Association—By Telegraph— Copyright. LONDON, July 24. Australians who arc suffering Irom tlic shipping strike and chronic uncertainty oV mar hie transport will ptobably road with open-mouthed amazement of the contrast in London, where the shipowners and the Seamen and Firemen’s Union shared the expense of a dinner to celebrate a strikeless decade. There were 4UO persons present, including peers, members o): the House of Commons, shipowners, seamen, and firemen with their wives and daughters. Trade union leaders were conspicuous by their absence, with the exception of Air Frank Hodges and Air Ben Tillett. Owners and seamen toasted each other in champagne. Mr Alan Henderson pointed out that the shipowners and seamen had eight conferences instead of eight strikes during eight years, with the result that British seamen’s wages were double those of every Continental country, representing an increase of 70 per cent, oyer the rates ruling in 1914. Mr Havelock Wilson challenged seamen in any part of the Empire where strikes preceded conciliation to show better results.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

AIR PHILIP SNOWDEN ON AIR FRANK HODGES. “ His first effort at public speaking was in the pulpit. But the logical and critical mind of the young man, aided by generous human instincts, rejected the paganism of out-worn theological creeds which still lingered in some of the Welsh Noncomformist chapels. “He failed in his ‘trial sermon,’ and the career of a minister was closed to him. Can it be that the ‘ divinity which shapes our ends ’ had destined Frank Hodges for a wider sphere of usefulness in the service of mankind?” so writes Air Philip Snowden, AI.P., ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the ‘ Weekly Despatch,’ He adds: “ The greatest catastrophe which has ever befallen the Aliners’ Federation was the decision of a conference following the General Election of 1923 when Frank Hodges was returned to Parliament. It was then decided to ask him to relinquish the position of secretary or the federation under some rule which forbids the holder of that office from being at the same time a member of Parliament. “ In consequence, the miners lost the leadership of the ablest brain in its organisation, and secured the # services of ‘ a humble disciple of Lenin,’ who promises, if left for long uncontrolled, to-bring that great organisation to rack and ruin. “ Frank Hodges is still young, and the future is still before him. The miners will not for long leave him to plough his lonely furrow. He will come hack to lead their forces and to guide their counsels. Ho was in the House of Commons too short a time to impress his individuality and power on that assembly, and it was a mistake to give him a, minor post in the Labor Government, which afforded him no opportunity for his capacity and for which he had no affection. “ Ho will get back to Parliament. Ho will get back to trade union leadership. And when those of us who inspired the pit lad on that Alay morning on the Welsh mountain are sleeping peacefully under the green sward he will bo guiding, by his wise counsel and his great gifts, the people lie loves so well’towards a happier and a fuller life.”