British Topics SOLVING ALLIED DEADLOCK

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23346, 1 November 1945, Page 5

British Topics SOLVING ALLIED DEADLOCK

Mr Attlee’s American Visit Welcomed By Public N.Z.P A, Special Correspondent (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 30. The news that Mr Alllee is to talk with President Truman in America has been generally welcomed as the first definite sign that something is being done to stop the international rot that set in when the Council of Foreign Ministers split up. Since it is clear that the atomic bomb had much to do with the disagreements of the Big Three, and will continue to dominate international relationships, there is something like relief at the statement that the President and the Prime Minister will discuss the future of the bomb and atomic energy generally.

There is a wide measure of support in Britain for the view that America was wrong in deciding to hug the secret of the “know how” of making the bomb to herself. Although at present there does not seem much likelihood of America changing her opinion on this point, yet it'is “hoped that some way out of the present deadlock can be found by Mr Attlee and President Truman.

It is expected that they will also take the opportunity to review the economic talks which have been going on in Washington following the cessation of lend-lease, but which are not progressing overwell. In addition they will discuss the problem of Palestine. Apart from the Budget, which has now won universal praise for Labour’s Etonian Chancellor, Dr. Hugh Dalton, and his decision to ease taxation, the tone of th» general news in Britain still continues to be dull, with the dockers’ strike remaining the foremost immediate domestic problem. Although Miss Ellen Wilkinson’s geography mav be better for a little furbishing, it is felt that she is right in pointing out the gravity of the dockers’ action whltffi is paralysing British trade just when it should be gathering a drive, while the threat to food supplies is increasingly serious. Nevertheless, the dockers continue to cling to the view that the Government must intervene in spite of its declared intention not to do so. The root of the trouble is the sharp fall in earnings without a change in general conditions, and the opinion is growing that the Government and the Trade Unions must declare a wage policy as soon as possible for the industry as a whole. Bank Of England

In the House of Commons, Dr. Dalton followed his Budget success with a surprisingly brief statement on the nationalisation of the Bank of England, and in spite of the debate on the Bill producing' the first big division on the main issue of Labour policy, there was really no big Commons fight. This was in keeping with the view expressed by the Parliamentary correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian,” who says that Parliament has been a tea party during the opening weeks, exhibiting remarkable tolerance. Mr Churchill, who previously said he was sad that there was no objection to the Bill, was absent during the debate. The former Prime Minister’s personal popularity in the House of Commons, as outside, remains undimmed, and it was remarkable that even the new Labour Commoners cannot heln liking him in spite of their prejudices. Tales of Churchill, true and otherwise, will doubtless be told for years to come. The latest of these is related by a Frenchman who broadcast from England during the war. In October, 1940. he had read a four-minute script at British headquarters before introducing Mr Churchill. There was nowhere’for him to sit until Mr Churchill solved the difficulty. “Sit on my knee,” he said. Another likelihood is that there will be endless discussions on the relative merits of Field-Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery and other victorious generals of the recent war.

As with Mr Churchill, so with FieldMarshal Montgomery tales will continue to be told. The latest is how he borrowed a black beret from a sergeant so that he should be inconspicuous among the rest of the beret-wear-ing tank crews. When he went up to see the fighting at El Alamein, Sir Bernard kept the beret, added his own badge and wore it to Tunis, when it was so dirty he got a new one. He has now presented it to the Royal Tank Regiment, and has traced the sergeant who was serving a few miles away from his Rhine headquarters. Commandos Disbanded A beret of another colour has also been in the news—the green one worn by the commandos, now disbanded. There was general regret, chiefly on sentimental grounds, at this decision, for the commandos first won popularity at a time when Britain’s fighting fortunes were at their lowest ebb, and they seized the country’s imagination. The cancellation of contracts for parachutes has resulted in large stocks of nylon becoming available in shops within the next few days, which is six months earlier than was expected. Manufacturers with big quantities of parachute material have been given permission to release- it. Dyed various colours, it is recommended for party frocks, blouses and lingerie. Public opinion has been irritated by the long, drawn out Belsen trial, now in its seventh week, which is felt to be becoming something of a travesty. There has been some illinformed criticism of defending counsel. Opera ballet concerts will be performed again at the Royal Opera House, Covent Gardens, next February, another indication of the return to normal conditions. During the war this famous theatre was used as a dance hall tor men end women of the Services of all nations. Other theatre news is that A. P. Herbert, now Sir Alan, has combined with Vivian Ellis in writing a new light opera "Big Ben.” It is opening at Manchester next April. The story is about an old waterman turned publican. Film news was recently made by Ann Todd, who, after a performance in a new film, "The Seventh Veil,” signed the biggest contract ever given to a British actress. It is worth £200,000 over a period of five to seven years. She will appear in six films for Sidney Box and eight for Arthur Rank. Rank will make one picture in Hollywood. Also in the film news is the 23-year-old Londoner, Annett Simmonds, who, though she has never had a star part, ls tne leading candidate for thq role of Amber in “Forever Amber,” a novel about love affairs in the reign of Charles 11. Grand-daughter Of Dickens In the literary world, Monica Dickens has established her name with her latest novel, “Thursday Afternoon.” A great grand-daughter of Charles Dickens, she has now written five books in six years, while also being a nurse and lactory hand. Rebecca West, commenting on her, Hays that she presents an interesting c.\ample of the power of hereditary. ‘ Her books afford evidence of the most pronounced feature of the work of her great ancestor. She could not have imitated him intentionally.” Rebecca West adds: "A young and pretty woman, she writes too much and in too great haste, and the attractions which lite offers distract her from her work.” Monica Dickens is also a book reviewer, of a provincial Sunday newspaner. The latest thing in societies is the anti-mother-in-law. It is known as the A.S N. Society for the suppression ol family interference. The secretary says that mothers-in-law are more than a music hall joke. “Interfering onArt ll • are Probably responsible for 3009 divorces a year in Britain,” he claimed.