The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, -MAY 30th, 1924. THE EMPIRE AND LABOR.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, -MAY 30th, 1924. THE EMPIRE AND LABOR.

I Tiik advent of labour to power in Brii tain is haring an illuminating efToot on i the patty generally. At tile commencement of this week the outline of tin article h\* lit. Hon. J. H. Thomas, a prominent nienilior of the Labor Ministry. wis cabled from the colunins of the London “Times". The article was published in connection with Empire Day celebrations, which, it was pleasing to note, were very general in the Motherland. Mr Thomas’ views and conclusions afford much gratification, indicating ns they did that since bearing the yoke of office Labor members have l>een constrained to look beyond the limits of their trade unions, and to realise that the surest way to help the workers is to develope the Empire, thereby creating more markets, opening up fresh fields for the over-popula-tion of the English cities, and generally giving the country a renewal of that power and prestige which in the past helped so much to add to the sum of England's greatness. Mr Thomas very rightly praises the Exhibition project as a means to open the eyes of the people of the Homeland to what their kith and kin are endeavouring to do overseas to help construct the Pinpife on lasting foundations of per-

lnanent prosjierity. Mr Thomas admits very fairly that the Exhibition brings a new vision to the workers of the Pnited Kingdom as to the heritage the nation enjoys in its overseas possessions, and says very frankly tl*it the workers in Britain are not alive always to the scope and diversity of the resources and possibilities of the Empire. That being so the thought arises that while the Exhibition is current. endeavors should be made to organise workers’ patties ll'oni all parts of the Kingdom to pay special visits to ihe Exhibition, there to glean direct knowledge of tin* expanse and great ness of the Empire. With tin* co-operation of the railways granting a cheap fare and a nominal charge for admission, siteli a trip might be brought within the means of many thousands of potential emigrants, who viewing the resources of the Dominions overseas, might elect to try their fortune abroad and so help to fill up the waste places of the Empire. In this task ot arousing s;e:ial interest in their own territories, those at the head ot the vaiious dominion courts might so cooperate that when the visits are arranged special instructional tours found the courts be organised, wiih lectures ami explanatory statements in regard to matters likely to arrest attention. while printed matter bearing on resources and attractions could lc distributed ad lib. lit that way the '•'.'ant of knowledge Mr Thomas ..peaks .if a, being prevalent among the vtirkefs of Britain could bo supplied, and the Imperial rspcel of the Exhibition cuulil be fulfilled. There is no doubt as was remarked at the outset, that the intimate association <d the hal>our members with office, and the .n----siglit they are gaining as to t lie ramifications of Empire development, will stand the country in good service in the times to come. A much wider vision and a. greater tolerance of Imperial matters will mark the attitude of Labor, and that gain will be < f enormous advantage as time goes on. assisting British political parties to

turn more considered and aympathot attention to tin* measures necessary f closer imperial unity affecting all El pire mat tors-.