The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, DECEMBER. 3, 1929. THE 'HOME GOVERNMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, DECEMBER. 3, 1929. THE 'HOME GOVERNMENT.

The Home Government following a peruid of adulation for its success in handling large issues affecting Geneva and disarmament, is back to domestic affairs again, in respect to which there is always plenty of room for disagreement among the rival political parties. Last week in the House of Commons, there was a tense period when an amendment On the Unemployment Insurance Bill was under consideration. But the amendment was defeated and tlie danger past; but with regard to social questions the danger is ever present. The Labour Party leans invariably towards better social conditions, which is altogether proper so long as they can be liminced on economically sound lines. Mr Lloyd George has warned the Government against overstepping the mark. The Liberal leader favours social reform but not along socialistic lines, and the Government will he lather put io it to satisfy the extreme demands of many of its supporters without trenching Loo far on the good graces of those of its opponents who for the time being at least, are prepared to tolerate a La-buir Ministry. The Government has its hands full with the industrial depression and the trouble in the cotton, woollen and coal-mining trades. On top of this there is the social legislation oil which it is proposed to oxgeiid an increased sum this year, ami a much larger amount still next year Yet, despite ibis, one prominent Socialist lias declared that, “the Socialistic Government “lias done nothing lor the working classes, mid has threatened Mr .MacDonald if the situation is not redeemed. Still, with Mr Snowdon’s victory at The Hague in mind, and Air MaeDoiPild’s mission to the United Stales, it, will lake a good deal To dislodge the Government from office on an appeal to the country. There are, of course, other large issues calling

for attention, and the new policy in regard io India, Egypt, Iraq and Russia. opens up large issues oil which public opinion might easily be aroused adversely. 'I lie dominions are colled ned about Singapore and also in regard tu imperial trailing, and in these matters the Government must move circumspectly. Ino new year, when the Rowers Commence talces [dace, may or may not clarify the p„s,Lioii. ioo little has been revealed as yet in regard to the AngloAmerican uverttiics, to guage wheiner an accepiinde line of action can be agreed ,npon. Tlieie is grout distrust among the nations despite the common

siU'ri.K'o in war lime lor tiie common weal. The lack ol trust is remarkauiu at this juncture, and tt is difficult to act-..mu ior. \ve Jiave seen over and over aga.n how Britain is misunderstood a net distrusted by her sometime allies tor whose safety so much was done l,y Great nritam. The same mistrust is manirested one to tlie other, and that state ol mind means that the British Government inis to be very carol ul in every step taken along tne i\»ad it desires to travel to assure u mure stable peace for the future, it will be realised therefore that the Labour Government has a very difficult task indeed to discharge. It is proeeediug and progressing on the wnole in a manner whkh has not seriously divorced its Liberal support, anu it is interesting to bear Lins fact in mind when studying the achievements of the Government. It appears certain now that tiie Government will be given its chance to attempt another master stroke in the good work to be done at the January Conference in London next 'month respecting the delicate question at disarmament.