LABOUR PROBLEMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17533, 27 January 1919, Page 5

LABOUR PROBLEMS.

A HIGHER WORLD TO BE ' ESTABLISHED.'

LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 26, at 5.30 p.m.) Mr Barnes explains that the first duty of the commission which .the Peace Conference is appointing will be to convene an international labour conference to deal with the questions of prohibition, night work for women and children, minimum wages, and holidays. It is hoped that a practical effort will' be made to, establish a higher world and a wide standard of "wages, and international competition with low-wage countries.

BOLSHEVISTS MAY BE CONSULTED 1

LONDON, January 25. (Received Jan. 26, at 5.30 p.m.) Diplomatic correspondents declare that there is practically no other course open for the conference than to support President Wilson's view that the Bolshevists should be consulted. The conditions in Russia are appalling. The nationalisation of -women and_ other features of the Bolshevist rule point to organised depravity. Prince's Island has been chosen with the view of preventing the Bolshevists coming •westward, and thus, giving an opportunity for their propaganda.

'HUNS' CRUELTY.

YET ANOTHER CASE. LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 26, at 5.30 p.m.) Another astounding 6tory of German brutality was revealed at an inquest at Fulham on Private Vardar, of the North Hants Regiment. The evidence showed that he had failed to understand the order of a . German guard, and he was struck a cruel blow with a rifle butt, causing severe injury. Vardar was not permitted to report sick for some days. Large abscesses formed on his leg and blood poisoning supervened, causing, death. He weighed four stone on his arrival in England. Formerly his weight was 12st. His father failed to recognise him. The verdict was that death was \ due to German cruelty and gross neglect.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE RUSSIAN CONVERSATIONS. FEAR OF BOLSHEVIST INFLUENCE. PARIS, January 23. (Received Jan. 26, at 5.5 p.m.) It'is understood that Mr Lloyd George wanted the Russian conversations to occur at Paris, but MM. Clemenceau and Pichon adhered to their refusal to meet the Bolshevists.

President Wilson suggested the middle course, as adopted. Some French newspapers accept the solution, provided the Bolshevists are prevented from spreading their propaganda, the fear of which had influenced MM. Clemenceau and Pichon, but Le Journal considers that the solution painfully impresses France. It considers that Mr Lloyd George really inspired President Wilson's suggestion, which may hide brutal facts under fine humanitarian phrases, but France sees a policy which is vital to French interests.

Figaro says: " The solution is a perilous to reconcile the Bolshevists and the anti-Bolshevists and carries President Wilson's ideas to extremes."

Victorie says: "We have invited the Lenin-Trotsky gang to meet us in order to please President Wilson."—A. and N.Z Cable.

Imported groats are too often old and js&le. Doctors' Cream o' Groats is always pure, fresh, and nourishing. All grocers. 33

OPPOSITION TO BOLSHEVISTS. LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 26, at 5.30 p.m.) Count Lvoff states that the invitation to the Bolshevists is a fatal step. Patriotic Russians Trill refuse to meet men who had betrayed Russia. The Bolshevists in Paris had .-won a great victory, and patriotic Russians were pained to find that the Allies had so soon forgotten the efforts of Russia in the first two years of the war. The Russian. Committee has discussed future action.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

ABOLITION OF CONSCRIPTION.

PUNISHMENT OF THE KAISER.

IMPORTANT MATTERS FOB CONSIDERATION.

PARIS, January 23. (Eeceived Jan. 26, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr A. J. Frasev representative of the Australasian press, states that at Great Britain's instance the Powers are discussing the abolition of conscription and disarmament. It is clear that the enemy must disarm first.

The Powers ar e anxious to complete the actual peace treaty at .the earliest moment in order to effect demobilisation and without the settlement of the League of Nations proposal or the Russian situation.

In reference to the punishment of the Kaiser, the American view is less emphatic than that of the Allies. The Americans' view is that the Kaiser's punishment after trial should be less than if he remains in exile unpunished; further, his punishment would remove the fundamental causes of the war.

_ America favours securing the greatest indemnity possible, bufc prefers its distribution among the nations rather that it should be to meet individual losses. The Powers are in full agreement on the questions to be submitted to to-mor-row's plenary conference. They are adopting the general practice that the Powers which bore the «brunt of the fighting should formulate and agree upon a scheme, and thus give the smaller nations the fullest time to debate in conference, and therefore it is likely that Mr Lloyd George's speaking will be of the briefest in submitting; the League of Nations proposal. Such matters as the League of Nations and the Labour legislation will be subsequently submitted to neutral nations. The British proposals drafted for the League of Nations by Lord Eobert Cecil, General Smuts, and Lord Justice Phillimore have earned the highest commendation by President Wilson, and considerable progress has been made on the question, of indemnities. It is understood that President Wilson has agreed to the principle, apart from full costs for reparation. The commission asked for by Mr Hughes •will deal with estate and the method of payment.

There are now various commissions created, and the colonial delegates' time is fully occupied. Apart from their duties on certain commissions, there is much concern ing them to deal with at other commissions, by which they need to be consulted. The Americans are confident that President Wilson's plan to meet the Russians in the Sea of Marmora is the wisest course, and it will probably lead to retrieving the enormous debt due to the Allies. Prince Lvoff, on the other hand, regards any recognition of Bolshevism as disastrous, and he and M. Sazonoff declare that the Omsk and Archangel Governments will never confer with the Bolshevists.

The best-informed opinion in Paris is satisfied that the Bolshevist party is growing stronger and drawing in many Moderates, with the probability of a revolution of anything like stable government. v

Princes Island, in the Sea of Marmora, has been chosen for the conference because it affords good, .accommodation. It is the main hoGday resort of wealthv Turks. J

Poland will be represented at the conference by a delegatidn. The Poles have also received an assurance of full Allied support in the event of any Bolshevist attack on Poland.

AN OPEN MEETING. PARIS, January 24. (Received Jan. 26, at-11.5 p.m.) The open session of the Peace Conference debated the League of Nations. Mr Lloyd George outlined the British scheme, drawing a distinction between justifiable and non-justifiable disputesEach nation must itself decide what, is justifiable or not. It was reported' in American circles that the creation of a super-sovereignty was considered feasible. The conference adopted a resolution in favour of the formation of a League of Nations as an integral part of the peace treaty, the league to be open to every civilised nation which could be relied upon to promote its objects at periodical conferences. ' '

It was also decided that a permanent secretariat be-established.

The conference decided that Great Britain and the United States should maintain large armies in France for many months. Demobilisation will be an international affair, and the supreme command will be maintained till peace is signed. President Wilson addressed the conference in favour of a League of Nations, earnestly urging that now is the proper tune to act.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

THE LEAGUE'S PROGRAMME. LONDON, January 24. (Received Jan. 26, at 11.5 p.m.) A preliminary draft of the League of Nations, which has been published,~shows that the creation of a permanent organisation will be the business between the meetings »of the Peace Conference. The appointment of a committee to consider the league's functions and the constitution is urged, and the draft calls for the appointment of a commission to report on the responsibility for the causes of the present war.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

AT THE CONFERENCE TABLE. REPRESENTATION OF DOMINIONS. TRIBUTE TO NEW ZEALAND. PARIS, January 23. (Received Jan. 26, at 5.30 p.m.) Mr Keith Murdoch says that Mr Lloyd George agrees with the decision to give separate representation to the dominions at the conference table. This inevitably involves separate representation on the League of Nations. This principle has not yet been accepted by the "-imperial Cabinet, but Mr Lloyd George's support and Mr Hughes's representations, backed by Sir R. Borden, General Botha, and Mr Massey, seem to put the question beyond doubt. The Cabinet to-day discussed New Zea land's position. Every' ody was sympathetic, and unanimous that Sir Joseph Ward should attend on Saturday as a

British delegate, though other dominion representatives must in future take their turn thereon.

_Mr Lloyd G cargo explained the difficulties in. securing dominion representation, but thought it possible to again press for a fifteenth delegate. Ho paid a tribute to New Zealand's splendid fight, and pointed out the position of Canada, with its eight millions of population, and of Australia, with its five millions, as reasons why Now Zealand should have a full share in Imperial Cabinet discussions and decisions. Furthermore, Now Zealand was in a very different position from Liberia, or even from Roumania, for New Zealand's case in regard to Samoa may be backed by the full delegation of the great Empire. Mr Murdoch adds: "The New Zealand representatives seem satisfied. Mr Massey thinks the work is ample for two Ministers. £|ir Joseph Ward appears ready to remain and throw his heart into the work, especially committee work. Mr Massey will join the commission on the internationalising of waterways and ports."—A. and N.Z. Cable. DR BETHMANN HOLLWEG INTERVIEWED. PRESIDENT WILSON'S SPD3IT OP JUSTICE. NEW YORK, January 23. (Received Jan. 27, at 0.30 a.m.) American correspondents interviewed Dr Bethmann Hollweg, ex-Chancellor, in Berlin, fie said that only if peace was concluded in a spirit of justice, based on President Wilson's exalted ideals, could a League of Nations be saved from sinking into dust and ashes. The victors must not exploit the weakness of conquered peoples. He had not changed his views regarding the responsibility for the war. —A. and N.Z. Cable. ANTI-BRITISH PROPAGANDA. TIMELY WARNING IN UNITED STATES. PEACE DELEGATES APPLAUDED. NEW YORK, January 23. (Received Jan. 27, at 0.10 a.m.) Sir Henry Babington Smith, speaking in New York, warned the American public against an anti-British propaganda in the United States, which was attempting to create discord ■ between the United States and England. The New York Times Washington correspondent says 'that official circles, Senators, and Congressmen generally applaud the peace delegates' decision regarding the Russian situation. A few Senators and Congressmen are opposed to any form of recognition of Bolshevist Government.—A. and N.Z. Cable. SEA OF MARMORA CONFERENCE. PROMISES BY BOLSHEVISTS. LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 26, at 5.30 p.m.) Mr Keith Murdoch declares that it is clear that the Bolshevists will send dele--1 gates to the Sea of Marmora Conference. The conference has decided to hold any party blameworthy which makes the Sea ' of Marmora Conference abortive. The Allies are prepared to recognise the ' Bolshevists if they prove that they favour stable government and cease terrorising. 1 The Bolshevists have already offered to repay any loans the Allies may seek, to \ bring about the election of a constituent \ assembly, and to work in a conciliatory 1 spirit in the Sea of Marmora proceedings.