Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, SEPT. 20, 1929 CHANGING VIEWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17061, 20 September 1929, Page 6

Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, SEPT. 20, 1929 CHANGING VIEWS

It is not surprising in those modern times, with grout transitions in the world around us, accelerated in many directions by the consequences of a Great War, that" men's outlook upon the affairs of life should be subject to change, A new perspective is being brought to bear upon international relations. There is greater tolerance in the world. Honest endeavors arc being made to patch up the differences between nations, to remove all possible causes of misunderstanding, and to take full measures for the preven-tipn-iif strife. In the political spheres of most nations new alignments are being made. There arc broader conceptions of public and private responsibility and a keener zeal to effect "the greatest good for the, greatest number." These political manifestations vary according to the temperament, apd circumstances of the xespec-

five nations, but generally their aim is economic and social uplift for the people as a whole, and in pursuit of this ideal various schools' of thought have come together much more closely Ilian they sometimes realise. It is really difficult, for instance, to find the grounds of distinction between Republicans aud Democrats in the United States, and in British communities the actualities of party divergences are often equally obscure. Parties come and go in the government of a country, but administration, legislation, borrowing, taxation, and spending go on steadily, with very little change, till the people begin .to realise that there is not so much difference between Tweedledum and Tweedledee as they supposed. It is in the industrial sphere, however, where the most gratifying evidences of changing thought, of tolerance and co-operation, are becoming manifest, particularly in Great Britain. In the last decade Britain's industries have had a very strenuous light for existence, but the truth of the old adage that good old British commonscn.se begins to assert itself when Britons arc lighting with their backs to Iho wall is once again being realised. The new spirit it' industry is becoming a reality. Men's outlook has changed. For a few ycais after the turbulene j and topsy-turvydom of the war unrest, extravagance, and indolence were dominating faet.u's in industry. Disturbances were frequent, culminating in the general strike, which had the salutary effect of causing people to readjust their viewpoints. .In the Dominion", by a similar process, reached a stale of sanity, and the Commonwealth as a whole, we hope, will soon do the same. New Zealand has been quietly profiting by the experience of others, and for a good many years now has preserved industrial peace. The most striking evidence of Labor’s changing view in England was given in Mr. Ben Tillott.’s recent presidential address to the Trades Union Congress. Its burden was the advocacy of co-operation by Labor and Capital, rather than perpetuation of the view of essential antagonism between these two forces. For some time in England the more trusted labor leaders have been inclining to (ho viewpoint that not. by class war but by universal co-oporajiion can the best interests of the workers and the upbuilding of industry be achieved. There has been a steady coming together in such movements as the Melcliett-Turner conference, and this has been followed by the definite pronouncement of Mr. Tillett, to the national trade union delegates that it is necessary “to organise economically like America." American organisation, of course, is contributed to as heartily and generously by the United States Federation of Labor as by the most progressive employers. American labor will have nothing to do with Socialism or party politics. It is concerned only with the conduct and emoluments of industry, and it realises that to secure the best emoluments, employers and employed should work together in harmony seeking the best and most out of industry for their mutual benefit. Labor by this policy is gaining a recognised place in the direction and control of industry. Biitish Labor is now prepared to follow this wise policy. It has thrown Bolshevism and internationalism overhoard, and whereas a few years ago it was inclined to scoff at Imperialism it now recognises that the best interests of our nation lie in the direction of developing Empire co-operation.. “Our island nation alone," said Mr. Tillett, “cannot organise economically, but our world commonwealth can. The British Empire has a greater political home consumption than the United States, a larger population, and greater natural resources." The suggestion he makes that there should be periodical Labor conferences throughout the Empire is a good one, for such conferences would serve to bring to the Dominions some of the wholesome and healthy sentiment now pervading Labor circles at Home, and must strengthen that sentiment by giving to the British representatives a better conception of the greatness and the potentialities of our Empire.