CANADA AND AUSTRALIA.

Evening Star, Issue 20421, 28 February 1930, Page 8

CANADA AND AUSTRALIA.

Speech, according to a cynic, was bestowed on man to conceal his thoughts. Possibly this may bo tho bitter reflection of Mr Haynes, who has been recalled' from Canada by the Australian Federal Government, Mr Haynes was appointed by a previous Government as Trade Commissioner to Canada. In that capacity he has to attend functions and make speeches. Doubtless on occasion the fund of subject matter runs low, and anything unusual affecting the trade relations of tho two countries is regarded as treasure trove. It is certainly unusual for an Australian manufacturer competing against Canadian importations to decide to begin manufacturing in Canada. In any agricultural country everyone knows that such implements asi Canadian harvesters have a great vogue with tho farmer. But this Victorian implement maker, with tariff protection, had built up a big business in his own country,

and a decision to compete with his rivals on their own soil, and presumably under their own condition's, discloses some handicap in his own country. The Trade Commissioner told the Canadians what it was Work is much more in tenuitteat in Australia; trade disputes cause too.many stoppages. If the respective populations wore equal and Canadians went on strike as often as Australians, their time lost would bo in the proportion of years to every hour now lost in Canada from that cause. The figures are amazing, but that is how they work out on the data furnished by Mr Haynes. The comparison, made some months ago, appears to have passed unnoticed by the Bruce Government, but it has hurt the amour propre of Australian Labour, and a species of victimisation is the result. In one more respect Australia is copying an American precedent. There the principle of spoils to the victors is recognised as an essential part of the political game. When Democrats replace Republicans in office, or vice versa, there is a sweeping change of personnel in the Public Service, and the dismissed State employees accept it as a matter of course. The abuses of such a system are obvious sycophancy in obtaining billets through influence and making hay while the sun shines because of the insecurity of the tenure of office. And the effect on the politicians themselves can only be loss harmful than to the Public Service.

It is an acknowledged fact that strikes in Canada are a rarity. Iho Canadian Department of Irado and Commerce recently stated; ‘ Canada enjoys a remarkable immunity from industrial disputes; Capital and Labour disagree amicably but recognise a common interest ” There is a saying in Canada that "the sky is the limit.’' Whether or not a man is successful there depends entirely on the individual The "go-slow” gospel gets no hearing there. Canada is looking for workers for its vast acres, its growing industries, and its ever-increasing cities. It cannot afford to harbour "slackers”: it is growing every moment, and much must be done before anything approaching saturation point is reached. Possibly th<? atmosphere of strong endeavour to develop immense resources is inimical to the growth ot any of the organisations which tend -to restriction of output. In the news ot tho world mention of arbitration systems or trades unions in Canada is notably absent.. Where pioneonng work remains to be done in any country tho’same phenomenon may bo observed. Opportunity is the stimulant to individual effort, and it is tho country which does not strive to create opportunities for its people which runs the biggest risk of stagnation through industrial discontent, of losing industries which appeared strongly rooted. Not every country has the vast opportunities which Canada presents; but some countries need reminding of the parable of the man with ten talents and the man who wrapped up his one talent in a napkin.