NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 311, 25 September 1920, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY

Some interesting, though hardly reassuring observations, on the international commercial outlook were made a few days ago by Professor J. B. Condliffe, of Christcliurch. liiemarkinz that wo seemed to be very near the end of the speculative boom which followed the var, he added that lato cablegrams indicated that the approach of the crisis could not be long delayed, and unemployment at Home would 6urely be reflected hero. Such opinions necessarily rest in part on conjecture; but thero is no doubt that on extremely dangerous situation exists and that tho danger is intensified by conditions which mnko it practically impossible for manufacturers and some other clnsscs of business people to meet and ease the situation by gradually lowering prices. Tho index number of wholesale prices in tho United Kingdom published by tho London limes shows that in recent months thero has been a distinct downward tendency,. but a tendency continually chocked. Pricos of food and materials in tho aggregate, according to tho '•Times" computation, declined by 23.4 points (or 7.6 per cent.) during tlio threo ■ months to tho end of last July. In Juno thero was a drop of 16 points as' compared with the previous month; but in July the further drop was only 1.6 points, and this was duo wholly to a fall in tho prices of some food products. The index number for materials alone was nearly fivo points higher in July than in June. The "Times" comments that tho clicck to the rapid declino of prices is-satisfactory, sinco ; a continuance would inevitably lead to a reduction of production, which would pre-pare-the way for another sharp upward movement. This by no means covers all tho ground. A sudden fall vin prices is possible, but it would inevitably entail widespread unemployment and hardship. A gradual lowering of prices is the right remedy, but in Britain and elsowhero tho door is closcd meantimo on this remedy, less! by (high wages and the high price of materials than Jjy recurring strikes and industrial upheavals, together with tho reduction of output in vital industries—notably coal-mining— which make it impossible for manufacturers to lower prices and maintain production, # * * o Tho Primo Minister no doubt drew a just distinction in pointing out to the House of Representatives that although Now Zealand is to administer Western Samoa under a mandate from the League of Nations, its authority to govern the islands is derived directly from Great Britain. The Dominion certainly would bo as ill-advised in attempting to assert independent sovereignty as in consenting to any abrogation of the status of free partnership in the Empire which has been concedcd since the outbreak of war. At the same time it ought to bo recognised that wo aro vitally interested, as a Dominion in assisting to strengthen tho League of Nations and in upholding tho mandate system. Apart from the larger issues involved an immediate and compelling reason for steadfastly pursuing this policy appears in the fact that tlio mandate system offers the only guarantee available against tho exploitation for warlike purposes of the Pacific Islands formerly in German hands and their native inhabitants, Tho outlook for tho League is far from being as bright now as when it was established, but it remains true that our interest as a people is wholly in building up tho Leagiie and in helping to make it an effective agency for peace in international affairs. Even should tho United States adhere to its present policy of isolation, the tentative organisation of tho League may afford a basis for the peaceful settlement of contentious aspects of Pacific policy.

The public should note that the "Maoriland Worker," in its leading article this week, advocates joining the Third International. Tho editor of tho "Worker" of whom Mr. Fraser, M.l 1 ., announced his disapproval, lias gone, but "red" principles have not departed from the paper with the chango made. The "Third International" is a mushroom organisation, with its headquarters in Moscow. It was created by Lenin to welcome outsiders into tho fold of Bolshevism. At its conference at Scarborough in June, the British Lalwur Tarty discussed | whether it should join it. Mr. Ramsay MncDonald opposed joining, and declared tho now body n hothouse growth standing for revolution by violenco. Mr. Tom Shaw, M.l'., of tho British delegation to Russia, reminded the conference that the principles of tho Third International were quite clear and precise. It said: "The dictation of the proletariat denotes tho recognition of the necessity of destroying tho opposition of tho exploiters

by force. It implies tho desire, means, »nd resolution to carry this out." If .hoy wore not revolutionists wishing to ivade through blood, added Mr. Shaw, thoy could have no use for it. ifter more discussion a vote was taken, with this result;— For joining the Third International 225,000 Against joining 2,M0,000 Majority against 2,715,000 This waa tho decision of the British Labour Party after due consideration of the facts. Yet Mr. Fraaer's remodelled "Alaoriland Worker" tells the workers of New Zealand: "Tlie best informed, tho most energetic and enthusiastic workers tho world over, stand without equivocation for the Moscow International in all its redness." « * • * .» Tho problem of devielng way# and means of preventing cargo-brcaching ia commanding eeriouß attention abroad as well as in New Zealand. The London "Times" mentioned recently in its City Notes that some very efficiently managed shipping companies are working quietly with, a view to reducing tho evil, and aiTAxl that tho particular direction in which those companies are working is towards placing full responsibility again in the hands of tho officers of ships.

Formerly, when ships were of smaller size, the checking of cargo was carried

out under the direct supervision of tho captain and officers; the employment of shoro staffs is a modern development. According to the "Times," "it would certainly seem that through enlisting the active interest of all ships' officers in reverting to the practice of supervising the loading and discharging of cargo, which thoy now always watch carefully in tho case of mails and certain other especially valuable shipments, there lies much hope for the prevention of criminal practices." Theso suggestions are not without interest from the Now Zealand standpoint, though it has been made fairly clear from timo time that some of the packing-cases which arrive partly emptied or carefully weighted with rub-, blish are loaded in that condition at the port of shipment. * * * » Once again the arrangements of all who wish to travel from Wellington to Sydney are subordinated to a grievance between a portion of tho ship's crew and a cook. Tho fircmon of the Moana, then at Lyttelton, arrived on board after 6 p.m. on Thursday, and demanded their tea. Tho cook in question infoimed them that the tea hour was 5 p.m., and that if ttyey did not like to como then they could go without their meal. The shipping company, apparently, is willing to sacrifice tho cook, but the stewards protest against hia dismissal. Thus another deadlock is threatened with the ship tied up in port until it is settled. Where tho firemen wore between -tho t.ea hour of 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. when tlioy arrived on board does not appear. It may be merely a. coincidence that the time of their return was just subsequent to that at which the publichouses are closed. The character of tho dispute is certainly appropriate to the hour at which it arose. »'« • » In common with many other people, Mr. M'Callum, M.P., is unable to discover tho dividing line between the Reform and Liberal parties. Neither Mr. M'Callum nor Mr. Witty, who havo de- j finitely detached themselves from the Liberal Party, is a tyro in politics. Mr. Witty entered Parliament in 1902, and Mr. M'Callum in 1911. In 1902 Mr. Seddon was at his «nith. From 1906 to 1912 decline and division set in under Sir Joseph Ward's Premiership, and it became-fair-ly evident that the party had run. its course, and had little to offer in tho way of future policy. Its last three months of office were significantly under ■ the leadership of Sir Thomas Mackenzie, an eretwhilo supporter •of Mr. Massey's parly. This over, it settled down in Opposition under Sir Joseph Ward—excepting, of course, for tho war interregnum of the National Cabinet—and on Sir Joseph Ward'yretiremont' by his constituents the leadership passed to Mr. Mac Donald, and thence to Mr. Wilford. Mr. Wilford's promotion doe® not seem to have aroused any enthusiasm in the ranks of tho party. His piece de resistance as party leader so far is a recipe for reducing the cost of living,, which will not bear disclosing until ho is first put on the Treasury benches. At Bach of tho last two general elections the public was offered a mysterious pig in a poke of this 6ort by the Liberal Party, but declined to bid. It will not-take many more secessions from the party to bring its numerical strength down to that of the. Independents or the extreme Labour Parly. » * * ,* Governmental action against disloyalists is much more stringent in .the Hepublic of the United States than, under tho British Monarchy. Amorica has made no bones about deporting trouble breeders by the shipload, and in yesterday's cable news it was . stated that the New York Legislature has expelled five Socialist members to whom.it takes exception on the ground of,their disloyalty to American institutions. These men had been re-elected by their constituents following their expulsion from the State Legislature early in the year. On their first appearance in the Assembly in January thoy were not allowed to sit, and their case was referred to.the Judiciary Committee of tho House, which recommended that legislation should be passed requiring the Socialist Party to purgo itself of certain objectionable characteristics before its nominees could be accepted as Assemblymen. At tho time of their first expulsion the five Socialists were eligible as tho law stood, and the course adopted by the Assembly was widely condemned by the American Press as thorough unconstitutional. Whether they were eligible on their re-election is not stated in the cable message. The action of the Now York Assombly, arbitrary as it may bei is expressive of tho deep-seated public dotestation in America of the preachers of subversive doctrines. Peoplo who talk violence must not be surprised if communities which find them a nui?nnce aro not over-particular to observe nil tlio niceties of constitutional procedure in getting rid of them.