BASIC PRINCIPLES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26065, 31 January 1946, Page 5

BASIC PRINCIPLES

INDUSTRIAL NATIONALISATION INTERESTING TRIAL OF STRENGTH (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON, Jan. 29. Parliament to-day began its first big debate on the principles of nationalising one of the country’s basic industries when the Coal Industry Nationalisation Bill came up for its second reading in the House of Commons. The subject is regarded as one of such importance that both the Government and the Opposition are mustering the strongest possible team, and the Conservatives have issued a threeline whip to rally all members against the Bill. The debate will last two days, and it is certain that the Government will secure a majority for the second reading, after which the Bill will be discussed in committee. It can be expected to be law by the end of the summer. In addition to the clash of policies, particular interest attaches to the debate, since Mr Shinwell will be making his first big Ministerial statement and Mr Eden his first speech as temporary Leader of the Opposition. Another sharp fight is anticipated in the House of Commons shortly, when the Bill to repeal the Trades Dispute Act comes before it. The passing of this Bill will restore the law as it stood before the general strike of 1926. Members of trades unions will be compelled to “ contract out ” of the payment of a political levy to the funds of the Socialist Party instead of as at present “ contracting in,” sympathetic strikes will become legal, so that unions not directly concerned in a dispute can strike in support of other unions, and unions of which civil servants are members will be empowered to affiliate to the Trades Union Congress. Government servants will thus be enabled to take part in a strike. Mr Attlee has stated that the restoration of the Bill will put right “ after 18 years an Act of singular injustice and reaction, and return to the trade unions the rights of which they ought never to have been deprived.” The Conservatives have decided to fight the Bill at every stage, arguing that to lift the ban on a general strike is to undermine the Constitution. It will be interesting to observe the attitude of Lord Beaverbrook’s Daily Express to Mr Eden at a time when he is assuming the temporary leadership of the Conservative Party. Already Lord Beaverbrook’s Evening Standard has practically declared that Mr Eden is not the most suitable successor to Mr Churchill. Now, because Mr Eden in a speech supporting the Conservative candidate at Preston by-election merely denounced the Labour Government for failing to give the nation a post-war lead, and made no reference to the American loan, Bretton Woods or Imperial preferences, the Express accuses him of “ sealed lips policy,” and adds: “This is not leadership; it is the negation of leadership.”