VARIOUS CABLED ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1921, Page 1

VARIOUS CABLED ITEMS

, BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT, r AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. GABLE ASSOCIATION. ; STUDENTS BREAK LOOSE. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) ROME, Feb. 26.' Four thousand students at Naples, exasperated at tbe high prices of books smashed and set lire to tbe book-shops and snowed the streets with leaves from costly volumes. Troops quelled tho outbreak. ANGLO-JAP ALLIANCE. UNITED SERVICE TELEGRAMS. (Received This Day at 9.-Jo a.m.) LONDON, February 26. Tbe “Sunday Times” says the future of tbe Anglo-,Japanese Alliance will be one of tbe chief subjects al the Imperial Conference in June. A number of delicate questions are involved demanding a frank, tactful discussion. Neither Japan nor England has so far shaped any definite policy but the Alliance, as it stands, is not regarded as the most satisfactory safeguard of harmonious relations between the Empire and Japan.

TIGER ACTIVITIES. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 26. A departmental report from Jahoro shows India has some peculiar labour troubles. Labourers.cannot be induce.,, to work on surveying gangs in certain districts which tiro continually harassed by tigers. One man-eater recently secured bis fifth victim. Another added an eighth to liis list, compelling the abandonment of the village. REPORTERS BOYCOTT. (Received This Day at 8.10 a.m ) BERNE. Feb. 26.

Journalists <in the Parliamentary press gallery protested against overwork caused by a too lengthy session, and long-winded oratory. The President read the protest in Chamber. The Soi:il Deputies angrily harangued the nressmen, who declined to attend the subsequent sessions. A number of Dentil's sent written reports of their own speeches to tbe newspapers, whuff declined to publish them.

ciation ol die “ei ib-boiir,” when the loudest talker gets most of the ‘‘say,” maw help to dragoon the remonstrant miner. At all events such a talker is lbe man selected for representation of bis class in Parliamentary contests, or in the more important struggles for membership of the miners’ executive. The 1 ast. opening Im freedom of speech, and one which is rapidly narrowing, is the much-debated question ol the advantages or otherwise to the .••out miners of the 0.8. U., and many of the saner men are looking upon this battleground as the last hope of salvatein for individual freedom and natural rights of the overgoverned miner. So far tin 1 advocate for exclusion lias been allowed to state bis ease with but little abuse from opponents on tlie charge of treachery to Labour’s cause, but once get a united executive and be must not only refrain from opposing ciitieism, but must feign an enthusiasm in the cause of the 0.8. F. which lie is far from feeling. There is little doubt that oilier occupations provide exponents of these revolutionary ideas, especially amongst the unskilled branches, but the miner is “more so.” And, as in other trades unions, the most dangerous and difficult element is found amongst the more youthful of the coal workers. The "wheeler’’ or yesterday, “taken on the coal’’ to-day by the “old man,” or a friend, when a vacancy lias undoubtedly occurred, is at once endowed with a vote for official aspirants to positions of power. He is courted by self-seeking men, bis readily expressed opinion, or second-hand opinion, is listened to with the greatest show of respect, and a new sense of importance does not always correspond to a new sense of responsibility. Easily susceptible to flattery, as most of bis age are, be is readily won to a suspicion of the steady miner, and will take his own line of conduct from the impulse of opposition to the opinion of the moderate man.

How to bring to public expression the great hotly of sane opinion and clear and honest purpose, to make the best

of the natural resources ol this great bind for the benefit of all who can make use of them, is the problem set before every lover of his people. It may be that this will only be attained alter sore travail and many strikes; or that

a true sense of their responsibility may lead the miners’ executive officers to revise their methods with a view to the welfare of the community as a whole. It may be that the latter can only lie achieved after a bitter experience of the former, but the fact remains that the restoration of tolerable conditions is only possible through a changed outlook and a wider view on the part of our friend the coalminer. As under present conditions he holds the key to the motive forces on which all other industries depend, so in his insularity ol thinking and his inherited distrust of all who gain their livelihood above ground lie must hold the key to the situation, and lie alone can set the pace of freer thinking and more earnest doing through the whole community,