MUTUAL DIFFICULTIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26473, 29 May 1947, Page 7

MUTUAL DIFFICULTIES

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA SCOPE FOR CO-OPERATION Rec. 1 a.m. LONDON, May 28. The hope that Britain would conclude a trade agreement with Russia soon was expressed by the Lord President of the Council, Mr Herbert Morison, in an address to the Labour Party conference. They had heard a lot about the differences between Britons and Russians, he said, and it might not be a bad thing to remember some of the likenesses between the economic position of the two countries. “There are great differences in degree, but in kind the two national problems are the same,” Mr Morrison said. Both of us have to draw our belts tighter in order to build up and consolidate our power so as to achieve a high standard of living to-morrow. Incidentally, the Russians have been doing it with their eyes open for 19 years—a point we might remember when our own road seems particularly long and rocky. Democratic Methods Preferred “There is hei'e something for us to learn. Although our problem is easier and the ordeal can be much shorter, I believe our democratic methods will compare favourably with any totalitarian system. It is a hopeful sign that we and the Russians have had some promising preliminary talks in which we have been matching bottlenecks and discovering whether we could not help them to break some of theirs while they did the same for us. Everyone will welcome such a development and hope that it may result soon in definite agreements and tangible exchanges. Better feeling may come from such supplying of mutual needs.”

Mr Morrison, emphasising that Britain’s objective was to increase productive equipment, said that if the

people kept that in mind it would help them to realise they were not treading an endless, aimless road of austerity, but moving purposefully towards a reasonable and practicable objective. “We are going to reach it,” he said. “Whether sooner or later and whether comparatively easily or very painfully is a question only tne people, can answer." Labour asked the employing class more than to bow to the inevitability of controls and planning. It asked them to co-operate with enthusiasm and accept a reward less than that to which they had been accustomed. Labour asked managers and technicians in industry to devote themselves to the common task for rewards which after taxation and in terms of what they could buy were worse and a good bit less than formerly. Partners in Middle Class “ The whole of the so-called middle class has been experiencing a painful and difficult reduction in living standards,” he went on. “Many of them voted for Labour two years ago, and if they stand firm to-day, with no undue grousmg, they will be our partners in the great social enterprise on which we are embarked.” Mr Morrison added that they could not rest on their oars. The battle for Socialism in Britain was a battle for production. Any avoidable strike, was sabotage with violence to the Labour movement. “We are in a dark patch just now, and our Government and movement will be judged by the power to lead the country through. We can do it,” he said. The delegates gave’ Mr Morrison a great ovation at the end of his speech.