TEST FOR LABOUR

Evening Star, Issue 25699, 24 January 1946, Page 8

TEST FOR LABOUR

POLITICS IN BRITAIN CONTINUATION OF "AUSTERITY"" FAR-REACHING LEGISLATION EXPECTED (N.Z.L'.A.. Special Correspondent.) LONDON, January 23. Dour though life may be hi Britain to-duy, many people yet have a feeling that things,might be a good ileal worse. At least, they tell themselves there is no acute political crisis, as in France, and no widespread industrial strife, as in the United States. At most, it may be said that there is a rising note of political criticism and continued restlessness in industry at the continued slow pace of reconversion, but the country is not wracked by crises _ip either sphere. There is no '' holier than thou " atmosphere about these-comparisons, but rather a sense of thankfulness that Britain, if she is characteristically " muddling through." is anyway keeping to the middle of the road. The stage has now been reached in the career of the Labour Government when the public is expecting results, and, largely 'for that reason, Parliament has . reassembled from the Christmas recess against a background of steady clamour for improvement in the lot of the public and the manufacturer. The most persistent criticism is that Britain is increasingly a country which has to live by filling up forms. This, in addition to the continuation of " austerity," is giving rise to something approaching frustration. Thus it may be expected that in the coming weeks Ministers like Mr Aneurin Bevan and Sir Stafford Cripips may perhaps be the prime targets in the Labour Cabinet. Planning and promises have been given to'the people, and now they want to see 'and avail themselves ot new houses, new clothes, and fresh supplies of all those things that ma>ke life less lilke it was throughout the war. CROWDED SESSION. Parliament has reassembled in this atmosphere, and also under a realisation that it faces one of the most crowded sessions in its history. Bills to be presented will be far-reaching in effect. They include the National insurance Bill, the National Health Bill, the Coal Mines Nationalisation Bill, and the Civil Aviation Bill, together with Bills on the control of investments, education, and a measure to repeal the Trade Disputes Act. There are already 587 questions on the order paper. While an important period lies ahead of the Government, equally interesting is the position of the Conservative Opposition. The absence of Mr Churchill, who is taking a well-earned rest in Miami, and speculations whether he will retire from the leadership of the party on his return—a possibility of which he denied knowledge while passing through New York —automatically focus attention on Mr Eden, who will lead the Opposition in Mr Churchill's absence, and on the other front-rank Conservatives. There is no attempt to deny that there are deep divisions in the party, which is still regarded as being largely bankrupt of a policy with which to oppose Labour effectively. *lt has been re-** marked that though the Conservatives will miss Mr Churchill as an able debater, yet his absence may make it easier for them to' formulate some policy in accordance with the realities of the momenta FUTURE OF UNITED NATIONS. ■ Westminster at present holds a double interest for the country; for across the other side of the square from Parliament are the delegates to the United Nations Organisation laying the foundation of the new body. The opening statements and speeches and pledges made in its support tended to satisfy the public's curiosity and increase the interest, but the caution which is fundamentally based on scepticism is still being exercised aS regards its future career. The public realises quite well that unless Russia gives, if not unqualified, then at least impressive, support to the United Nations, as well as Britain and the United States, it will be no more effective than the League when it comes to the point. The race for neutrality in 1939, ending in Britain and the Empire standing alone, is still re* membered. The Russians have so far, perhaps, provided the dominating interest at this first United Nations sessions. Grave, rarely smiling, their delegates have been punctilious in attending the plenary, and committee meetings, but with M. Vyshinsky's absence there has, perhaps, been a tendency to hazard a guess as to just how much support they intend to give the organisation. Then the Persian speech, bringing in its wake a long trail of speculations, alternating between the possibilities of the Security Council " investigating the situation " or not, which at the moment is still undecided, followed by the requests of Russia and the Ukraine for consideration being given to the situations in Greece and Indonesia, all tended to place the Russian delegation in an unwavering limelight IMPORTANT QUESTIONS. All three requests at the moment have overshadowed the discussions on the all-important Atomic Commission and the interesting question of the selection of a secretary-general. Two divergent trends of opinion are emerging. First, that the United Nations should not be overtaxed in its infancy by handling these requests. Secondly, that by dealing with them the United Nations will establish its authority. From New Zealand's point of view, it was disappointing that Mr Fraser's speech criticising France and South Africa- on their mandates position had necessarily to be greatly condensed in the small-sized English * newspapers. There is ho doubt, however, of the deep effect it made upon the Trusteeship Committee. It is understood, however, that it caused much surprise in South African .circles, being totally unexpected. Previously, differences of opinion between the dominions' viewpoints which were aired, particularly at San Francisco, have been mutually discussed beforehand, but in this instance, apparently, Mr Fraser did not acquaint Mr Heaton Nicholls of. his views. This, and one from Australian quarters, are the only criticisms heard of Mr Fraser at the United Nations session The Australians could not understand why Mr Fraser, after strongly urging that the South-west Pacific should he represented on the Security Council, apparently forsook this principle in standing down in favour of Yugoslavia for a seat on the Economic n" rl Uncial Council.