INTEREST IN BRITAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 56, 8 March 1946, Page 5

INTEREST IN BRITAIN

“POLITICAL WIND FROM THE EAST” ATTLEE LACKS MAGNETISM OF CHUBCHILL (Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.) Recd. 7.30 p.m. London, March 7. A seasonable but uncomfortable east wind, biting and penetrating, is sweeping Britain with all traditional March abandon. It is in keeping with the tone of the political wind from the tame quarter. Whether that tone will change as a result of important speeches made in America is of overriding interest here in international affairs. With her action in Persia, Russia is regarded as having brought events in relationships with Britain and America to a climax. The public is watching tiie situation and its development; as an indication of whether the Western Powers intend to continue their appeasement of Russia in her “expansive and proselytising tendencies” or to take a stand

Mr. Attlee’s appeal in the House of Commons and by radio to industry and workers to reproduce the 1940 spirit has been well received on the whole, though it lacked the magnetism of Mr. Churchill in those dark but glorious days. It is hoped that by the end of the summer Britain will be past her most difficult industrial period, though of that there is no certainty. Sir Stafford Cripp' has dropped a hint, but no more than a hint, that the direction of labour might be used as a normal feature of industrial life if the appeal failed. HOLIDAY FOB WORKERS

Meanwhile, the Government, discussing the situation with leaders of industry and trade unions and appreciating the mood of the country, has relaxed certain clothing restrictions and urged workers to take a holiday this summer. Some 3000 hotels have been de-requisitioned, foreign workers are to be employed in holiday resorts, and people are being encouraged to “stagger” their holidays. Holidays-with-pay agreements in Britain now cover 15,000,000 workers, or double the number in 1938. Dr. Edith Summerskill has declared the Government intends to increase the meat ration as soon as possible, adding, “And we are prepared to take the risk of doing so.” She said fortunately Britain’s meat stocks arc not as low as those of othes commodities, but It is impossible yet to foretell the future position. A topic of interest now being discussed, particularly in view of the recent Commons debate on defence, is whether Britain shall have conscription in the immediate post-war years. No decision lias yet been taken, but the Government is being urged to do so. There is support for conscription, particularly in Right Wing quarters. There seems to be fairly wide agreement that the Government’s White Paper on defence is as good as a stopgap, with its expenditure in the first full year of peace at. £1,192,575,000, and the reduction of the armed forces to 1,100,000. Though a heavy drain on the country, it is felt the forces cannot be further reduced until U.N.O. requirements are made known. There is also support for Mr. Butler’s suggestion that the Dominions and Colonies should be more closely associated with and have larger representation in Empire defence—a subject that will be discussed at the Prime Ministers’ conference. EDUCATIONAL BEFOBM Educational authorities are interested in and applaud the decision of the London County Council to do away with the scholarship examination. London schoolchildren will in future be assessed on their record at school and not on a single sot examination. The view is that it is unfair to fashion a child’s future, on an examination set between the ages of 10 and 11. The council al.o decided to make grants to parents with low incomes and to students of 16 who wish to continue full-time education lor a further two yeais. There will also be grants to students over 18 who wish to go to University or follow a professional career. The cost to the council oi these schemes will be nearly half a million in the first year. reaction from swing In. line with the trend to deeper appreciation of good books and music is the reaction from swing and jitterbugging to old-time dances. At “Gay Nineties" clubs throughout the country, it is estimated, at least 300,000 people attend nightly and 500,000 on Saturday nights. Many ot the dancers are middle-aged. A musical event in London was the recent visit to Albert Hali by theHuddersfield Cnoir, adjudged the finest in Britain. With the 8.8. C. Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Malcolm Sargent, It performed Beethoven’s “Solemn Mass” to a packed ard appreciative audience. So keen is interest in stamp collecting that bids are being received at London auctions by wire and radio. At a threc-day sale of British Empire stamps, Cape of Good Hope issues sold for £3724. One collection of stamps sold recently realised £114.000.