NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 14, 11 October 1921, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

After the long-drawn-out. warfare in the mining industry, it. is satisfactory to learn that a settlement has at last been reached. District agreements are to be made, and if direct negotiations do not result in an agreement a Conciliation Commissioner will be called in, and if he fails to reconcile differences the points remaining will be referred to the Arbitration Court. It is to be hoped that this agreement will result in an era of peace in the mines. There is no doubt that ths late war and post-war’ boom, with its procession of ever-ascending prices and wages, carried large sections of the population off their feet—farmers, merchants, and wage-earners alike—and as the disorder was world-wide the only end to it was the present inevitable world-wide slump from which civilisation is now suffering. Certain Labour extremists undoubtedly hoped to use coal, the basic necessity of nearly all industries, as the chief weapon in demolishing the existing order of society, and to this end was undoubtedly active in fomenting the perpetual disputes and stoppages at the mines, and in inaugurating the notorious "go-slow” policy. InSouth Wales, since the late strike, it is stated that some of the miners’ clubhouses have notices up that "any member advocating Bolshevism will be expelled from these premises." Revolutionary stock is low to-day. No section in a democratic community can play a lone hand and alienate the sympathy of the rest of the population. The miners in New Zealand undoubtedly do suffer in the way of poor housing and other inconveniences at some of the mines, but their surest path to secure such reforms as they desire is by a moderate and reasonable presentation of their case that will ensure them the support of a large body of public opinion.

Speculation has been set going in political circles by Mr. Massey’s announcement that New Zealand will, after all, have a representative at the conference on armaments. Whoever is chosen will, of course, go merely in an advisory capacity to the British representative, but it is nevertheless a desirable step. But who is it to bo? Mr. Massey obviously cannot be spared just now, and has said so. Sir Francis Bell presumably would bo the Government’s second choice, but hero again a' difficulty arises. Who is to lead the Upper House in his absence? There are obvious difficulties <in the way of appointing a substitute at short notice, even if one. with the necessary experience were available. Possibly Sir Thomas Mackenzie would fill tho role, but on the whole it seems likely that Sir Francis Bell will find that ho cannot be spared. In these circumstances the probabilities point to Sir James Allen as the most likely selection for tho position. ‘ * * * *

Under tho best circumstances relief of Russia's starving millions would be a gargantuan task, but it is made trebly difficult by the conditions laid down by Russia’s Bolshevik Government, and the entire lack of faith in the honesty and sincerity of that Government, among those from whom tho relief must conic. An international commission has its creaking wheels at work, but while tho preliminaries to relief aro being hammered out with the shifty Bolsheviks, famine victims must bo dying like flies. In a speech in the House of Commons in the middle of August, Mr. Lloyd George stated that official British inti nirios showed that some 35,000.000 Russians would require relief. Of these 30 per cent, aro children whoso condition is piteous. Tho visitation, tho Prime Minister declared, was tho worst that had afflicted Europe for centuries, and there was no doubt that it must end in one of tho greatest scourges that ever swept the Continent—pestilence on a gigantic scale. Disaster on so appalling a scale, Mr. Lloyd George added, should sweep every prejudice out of one’s mind and appeal only to one emotion—pity and human sympathy. In India famines affecting 50,000,000 and G 0,000,000 of people have been successfully dealt with with little Toss of life, but an essential thing has been found to be to prevent great movements and swings of the popu. lotion. This can only bo effected if the nations co-operating in relief are permitted. to work in co-operation with the Russian authorities. Bolshevism’s first step is to make it clear beyond all doubt that tho relief will reach the people who are suffering.

Tho project of establishing a Young Citizens’ League tn Wellington on tho lines of tlfo successful organisation which is already doing excellent work in Auckland is one that deserves to be very heartily supported. It is an admitted and serious weakness in com, munity life, as it has evolved in this country, that too many boys and girls grow up in an environment which contributes little to the formation of character and good citizenship. As ft has developed in Auckland, the Young Citizens’ League exists to promote the moral ami physical welfare of boys and by bringing them together in idubs tor purposes of pleasant recreation duly mingled with useful study and instruction. Such, activities are splendidly worth while, and the useful possibilities they hold as a means of promoting’ individual welfare and good citizenship are limited only by tho enthusiasm and ability of those by whom they are directed. Although much good work is being done locally in iho interests of youthful welfare by the Scout’organisation, the Boys’ Institute, tho A..ALL.A. and V.AA.C.A., nnd other bodies, there is plenty of scope for such an organisation as the Young Citizens’ League might ciusily be inaiTe. Tho Auckland league has been fortunate in oillisting in its working membership many men who are faking an active arid

prominent part in tho life of the community. If its claims and its possibilities for good are rightly envisaged, the league to be formed locally should not lack corresponding support.