THE ANTIPODES

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1926, Page 1

THE ANTIPODES

AS SEEN BY CANADIAN

VANCOUVER, February 13.

The strong influence of Labour, the autocratic power of the wage hoards, and the increasing strength of tho Reds and Communists, were three of the main impressions brought back to Canada from Australia by Air John Hnsseft, of Ottawa, as he unfolded them to the members of the Young Aten’s Canadian Club in addressing them at the Windsor Hotel in Alontreal. when recounting his experiences on his journey with the Imperial Press Conference in Australia and New Zealand.

Tie told a story of a country in which five of the six State Governments are in the hands of the Labour Party, and of a Central Government whose efforts are at times neutralised by tho State Premiers because they arc directed against some of the worse aspects of the Labour movement. He told of a country in which strikes, with cricket and horse-racing, seemed to form the three main interests of the people, but- be ended his address with a note of optimism when he declared that the British race had surmounted its difficulties in the past and would surmount them in the future, whether it be in Australia or Canada. After paying a tribute to tho members of the conference, especially Lord Burnham, the chairman, Major the TTon John Astor. ALP., owner of tho London “ Times.” and Al.r Allan Herbert. the “ A.P.H.” of “Punch,” the speaker briefly described the voyage across tho Pacific. Honolulu, under United States rule and Fiji under British rule, were apt examples in- the difference between the two great Eng-lish-speaking nations. R APTEROUS AVELCOAIE.

They atrived in New Zealand about the same time as the American Fleet, which had received a rapturous welcome, hut tliev found that the people of New Zealand and Australia had still a vivid appreciation of the noble part played in the work by Japan, and they took the visit of the fleet as a manifestation that the United States was beginning to realise its responsibilities in the Pacific as Great Britain had done in tho Atlantic. They found the New Zealanders, like their Scotch and Irish forefathers, a modest, reserved, and kindly people, but the Australians were more assertive and nationally proud and the members of the conference were told from time to time that Canada was dominated by the United States while it was also pointed out that Australia was 98 per cent British stock. He had reminded them more than once, said the speaker, it seemed that if the full natural resources of the Continent were to he developed, especially in the tropical parts, then coloured labour of some sort would have to lie employed.

Unfortunately five of the six States were governed h v the Labour Party and the hulk of the population was living; in the cities. Rainfall in parts was scarce and the irrigation schemes put into effect were not always successful. There seemed to he a great rivalry between the country and the city and the Labour unions were becoming more and more powerful factors in polities.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND PROSPEROUS.

Both Australia and New Zealand were prosperous, although a different policy prevailed. New Zealand devoted most of its attention to colonising the waste land, while in Australia secondary industries were growing lip, and the country was becoming more selfsupporting in the manufacturing line.

Australia was a land with 80.000,000 head of sheep, 13,000,000 head of cattle. 20.000 factories producing Cl ,500.000.000 worth of manufactured goods. It was proud of its industrial development, hut it seemed more proud of the fact that of the last fifteen cricket Test matches with England it had lost only one. It was a great country for sport. Horse-racing started at eleven in the morning, and continued all the year round, said Air Bnsseft.

The question arose as to whether the love of sport had anything to do with the industrial unrest, and in regard to climate, he would say. after seeing Australia, that a cold climate such as the Canadian variety brought out the host qualities in men of the British race. At the same time he never thought it was possible to see so much industrial unrest, combined with so much prosperity, said Mr Bassett.

Tho speaker continued to quote one example of the satte of affairs prevnilin<r in the industrial world in Australia. While they were there a group of sugar factories had closed down over an upheaval concerning the employment of foreigners. After that was settled, tho seamen’s strike caused some of the factories to close down again, then trouble on tho railways did the same thing, and finally another closing down was caused by trouble among the waterside workers. There was no cause for undue pessimism. The British race had a genius for overcoming its difficulties, and Canada, like Australia, had its difficulties, and there should he between them n mutual forbearance and sympathy. Pride of country would inevitably triumph.