NO TRUCK WITH THE BOLSHEVISTS.

Evening Star, Issue 19660, 13 September 1927, Page 6

NO TRUCK WITH THE BOLSHEVISTS.

The British Trades Union Congress, resolving to have no more truck with Bolshevism, should feel the same kind of relief as Sinbad when he got rid of his Old Man of the Sea. Till the Russian Communists can show a different character there will be no further attempts to find a “modus vivcudi” with that tyranny. Sinbad took pityon bis Old Man when ho lifted him on to his shoulders to help him across a stream. Thereafter his freight clung about his neck, doing bis best to throttle him. His malevolent grip was only released when Sinbad made him drunk, which act ho followed up by beating bis brains out with a stone. British Labor sought to help the Bolshevists in crossing a stream. It did nut actually take them on ils hack, but it strove for years to see only the best in them, and to keep such company with them as it could, while avoiding (ho danger of having ils unions strangled by their embrace. The folly ut that attempt has at last been realised. The Bolshevists had made it impossible of continuance. The Trades Union Congress last week, by a majority of four voters to one, resolved to have no further relations with Russian trade unions till the Russians mend their ways. The General Council was unanimous for the decision. Experience bad shown that there could bo no such thing as co-operation with Moscow. A constitutional movement and a revolutionary one cannot be yoked together. IS'o companionship would suit Moscow in which the British Labor men .should not submit themselves, body and soul, to the Soviet dictators.

'Tho broach was threatened a few months ago when British unionists were revolted by tho orgy of executions held in Russia. Tho railwayman dissented from the resolution for a rupture and tho miners did not vote. Too recently they had been taking Russian money to help them in their local struggle. Tho answer of the Bolshevists to tho Trades Congress’s decision has been the .slaver ot abuse which makes their usual language towards all who differ from them. By tho minority delegates the rupture has been characterised as a “ crime against the workers of the world, equalled only by tho betrayal of three million British workers in the general strike.” But that kind of rodomontade will impress nobody. AYhat do these British extremists want? Tho General Council went far enough with them, forgetting its constitutional principles, and did enough damage when it called tho general strike. It showed its sense in declaring it off. Though British Labor does not like to view it so, the rupture is a vindication of the Conservative Government’s breach with the Soviet of four months ago. Trade unionism can no more live with these Russian plotters and murderers than tho Government it dislikes. Tho Bolshevist ‘ Pravda ’ declares inanely that the Trades Union Congress has only carried out Sir Austen Chamberlain's orders. “It [the rupture] is a sample of Socialist Imperialism helping the British Imperialists to prepare for war against the Soviet.” The insane idea that half tho world is preparing for a “bloody adventure against the Soviet” has been as much an obsession of the Bolshevists, conscious of their crimes, as King Charles’s head to Mr Dick. Tho delusion is bound to be strengthened by the latest decision of British trade unionists, but those have no mind to follow the final example of Sinbad in dealing with their Old Man of the Sea. He has made himself drunk without assistance from others. They would like to think still that he could mend his ways. The hope of others may well be that, given sufficient rope, lie will destroy himself.

James Joseph O’Malley, aged thirtyfive, pleaded guilty in the Chmt’church P.olico Court yesterday-to a. charge of having attempted to commit suicide. Sub-inspector Matthew said that there had been a domestic quarrel, and accused had swallowed iodine. O’Malley was ordered to como up for sentence within six mouths if called upon and to take out a prohibition order and to pay hospital expenses (£1 Ids).—Press Association telegram. The Minister of Finance stated yesterday that, in response to representations, it had been decided to release a limited number of copies of the resolutions of tho Larilf charges for sale at Customs Houses at the principal ports for two hours alter the collectors had received advice of their introduction. Sales would be made, added the Minister, on the understanding that the rates of duty and exemptions from duty set forth in Iho schedule of the resolutions do not come into force until they have been passed by the House. —Press Association.

Willi regard to the attack by the Victorian Minister of Forests on New Zealand forestry companies, and his assertion Unit nowhere was softwood used for pulping, the Press Association has been requested to publish an extract from the report of the Minister’s own department, completely controverting his statement. The report says: “A timber which is being successfully used for building, furniture, and railway purposes and boxmaking, and which has been proved suitable for pulping, lor making both -paper and artificial silk, can hardly bo described as useless, and the evidence here set out justifies the conclusion that Pinus insignis, grown in Australia and New Zealand, compares favorably in usefulness with other softwood timbers well known on the markets of the world ”—Press Association.

A persistent rumor in the Hail way Department as to the proposed staif reorganisation was cun firmed by a prominent railway official at Christchurch. “The changes will not be in the nature of retrenchment,” he said, “ but in the lower grades of the department .1 m (■■•'•stand that all positions will, he mn le vacant, and the employees given an opportunity of making application for them. This will give the lower grad" mer an opportunity of obtaining be tier positions, and should moan an .idvnnu! rather Than a retrograde step for most of onr men.”

The city refuse tip that was on the sandhills at the back of tho Forlmry racecourse was dosed at the end of last year, and it has been covered with soil ami sown with grass that is now coming through. Tho Domain Board has just finished the job of planting trees thereon. Ollier tree-planting operations by the Domain Board have also been carried out adjoining the Tomahawk road. The new tip. now in use, is further to the east than the one now obliterated. A tip is not lovely, nor a desirable place to loiter near, but by the present arrangement, controlled wisely, it is the minimum of a nuisance whilst in active operation, and eventually its site is unrecognisable. •

Speaking at flic Dunedin Savings Bunk meeting yesterday afternoon, Mr E. A. Roscvear remarked that thrift was a vßal factor to tho welfare of a community and individuals, and he added: ’‘The extension ol the Hire purchase system lias led to extravagance, and is merely a mortgage on future earnings. Prosperity can never be built on such a foundation, and the sooner this fact is realised the better for all concerned.”

Sir John Roberts, in his address at the formal opening of the Dunedin Savings Bank’s new premises, told of a conversation he had at an Exhibition concert with a stranger who sat next to him. This man, an Aucklander, was deploring tho extravagance in his own town, feared a financial disturbance as a, result, and remarked that whenever the Aucklanders wanted money they came to Dunedin for it. “He did not know, and I did not trouble to tell him,” added Sir John, “ that i belonged to Dunedin.” AH' G. L. Denniston, referring to that little anecdote, remarked that it would bo interesting to know how much Dunedin money had been borrowed -by tho north. ” They often run down Dunedin,” ho said, “ but when they need money they run down to Dunedin.”

A little courteous rivalry was noted at the new chambers ol the Dunedin Savings Bank this morning ivtwceii a number of depositors each of whom seemed anxious to have tlie honor of being tho first to open a new account at tho Dowling street counter. The winner was a man in the City Corporation employ.

The mayor (Ah' W. B. Taverner) today received a letter Irom Captain Ritchie advising that H.M.S. Dunedin will arrive here on the 19th inst-, probably about 10.30 a.in., and remain at Dunedin till the 30th, also that 11.M.5. Diomede is duo here on October and will stay for a week. As tho Dunedin Savings Bank's new chamber’s work has been ol a special nature, the contractor, Mr D. O’Connell, made express acknowledgment at the opening yesterday of tho manueiyin which the sub-contractors had carried out their duties: A. and T. Burt, AV. J. Ashton, J. and W. Faulkner, James and Co., C. S. Jenkins, J. Hall and Sons, John Chambers, Briscoe and Co., B. S. AVardrop, 11. S. Bingham, Alex. Moore, j*. Findlay, Smith and Smith, and U. Davies.

On various charges of breaking, entering, and theft two young men, Nathaniel Boyd and Leslie Stanniford AVillots, were to-day at Christchurch committed to tho Supreme Court for sentence. Bail was refused AVillels. Stolon property had been found in their possession, connecting them with offences reported last month.—Press Assoeia/on.

Mr Page, S.M., gave Ills reserved judgment at Wellington to-day in the case oi* the Police versus Cecil William Price, auctioneer, who was charged with selling liquor without being duly licensed. This is the case in which defendant sold liquor while acting as auctioneer for the Pailway Department in the sale of unclaimed luggage, and the defence was that he was the agent of the Crown and therefore immune. Mr Page upheld this and dismissed the information.—Press Association.

Speaking of suburban telephones, the Mayor of Fort Chalmers at the council meeting last night said that suburban bureaus should be abolished ami subscribers have direct access to the city. While in Australia recently ho had found that suburban subscribers up to nine or ten miles distant from the City Central Bureau wore directly in contact with that centre. That eliminated delay and the costliness of toll charges, which handicapped suburban subscribers here, and ho felt an endeavor should be made to have au improvement effected. The councillors considered the mayflr’s suggestion a good one. It was decided to get into touch with the MosgieJ Council, and also to enlist the services of the Expansion League with a view to getting the telephone service improved on the lines suggested.

The annual general meeting of the Otago and Southland branch of opto nietvisis of Now Zealand was held here yesterday. Mr W. V. Stunner wan unanimously elected president for the ensuing twelve months, with other office-bearers as follow:—Vice-presi-dents—Messrs H. Neill and H. White; committee (one member), Mr Fairmaid; secretary and treasurer, Mr G. K. Neill. The president gave a brief outline of the work done by the executive in Wellington in regard to the Legislature, and pointed out the good that must follow with the raising ol the standard of optometry in New Zealand with the passing of the Optician? Bill now before Parliament. He hoped that in the near future students would be trained in the Otago University in the science of optometry, and that examinations would be held, here instead of students having to go to .Wellington.

The finalists in the beauty contest were welcomed at Hastings by the mayor and introduced to the citizens from the balcony t>f the Grand Hotel. Hastings voted last night as follows; Misses Austen, Spiers, Androasscn. Graham, Hodge, MX'all. Smitlt, Tonkin.son, Cameron, Kinsey. An Association message from Gisborne states that the residence of Mr A. Morgan was destroyed by fire, nothing being saved. The insurance on tho house was £I,OOO and on the furniture £3OO. The owner’s loss is £SOO, Diamonds will prove an investment if secured at Williamson's, tho diamond experts (next The Bristol Piano Co.).—-[Advt.] For spectacles that soothe the eyes consult W, V. Stunner, D. 5.0.1., G.A.0.C., 2 Octagon. Our business £ exclusively optical. —{Advt.] For Diamond Engagement Rings and reliable Watches, Peter Dick, the most reliable ■watchmakers, jewellers, and opticians.— [Advt.] The drawing of the C.T. and W.A. art union anpeas*- ip this issue.