CONDITIONS IN AMERICA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17347, 19 December 1919, Page 8

CONDITIONS IN AMERICA

■»■ PROSPERITY OF THE COUNTRY THE 'LABOUR TROUBLE; PROHIBITION AND SUFFRAGE. Some interesting impressions of his visit to the United States were given yesterday by the American Consul-General, Mr. A. A. Winslow, who returned by. the Niagara after seven months' absence from Auckland. The greater portion of the time was spent at Mr. Window's home city, ' Chicago. The wonderful prosperity of the United States greatly impressed" the- visitor; labour troubles, however, -were giving much concern to the leaders of the nation. Speaking of the great steel workers' strike in September, Mr. Winslow mentioned that this commenced in Indiana at the Geary steel-works, involving : about 8000 workers. . The strike, quickly spread, and affected over 300,000 before it was broken; Even more serious was the coal strike at the beginning of the present month. The miners, said Mr. Winslow, were demanding 60 per cent, increase in wages and a reduction from an eight-hour to six-hour day. Public feeling was strongly against the men, however, any action that tended to raise the already very high cost "of living meeting with keen resentment among all classes. The prohibition question, said Mr. Winslow, was one which had roused ? nationwide interest, but from, all he had seen during his stay he was convinced that prohibition was in the best interests of the country. Much of the antagonism against prohibition originated with the alien element, Slovaks, Poles, and other immigrants from the Balkan States and Italy, accustomed all their lives to liquor. But this angatonistic element Would probably not represent more than 20 per cent, of the people, and the leaders of the people were well satisfied that prohibition was a good measure. A point of interest mentioned by Mr. , Winslow was that regarding women suffrage. The Senate had at last approved an amendment in this direction, and the measure was now awaiting endorsement by the various State Governments. The majority had already endorsed it, and the general opinion was that within a couple 1 of months the universal suffrage in the United States would be an accomplished fact. • ;