PRESS COMMENTS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1927, Page 4

PRESS COMMENTS

THE CHRONIC ILLNESS OF KING COAL. The coal trade was badly hit by the stoppage of last year, which riot only gave our competitors an entry to our customers, but induced those customers to enter into long-term contracts. In addition, there is suspected a tendency for world demand of the commodity to i decrease. We already try to support one hundred and fifty thousand more workers in the industry than it can afford to employ. The problem is, therefore, to secure again our old share of world trade and to make easy the trauslar of unwanted coal-workers to other industries. The first half of the task tan best be accomplished by the men who have mado coal their life’s business, working without interference. Tho second half of the task, the migration of unwanted personnel, is a matter for the State. It will mean returning to that* fluidity of labour which trade unionism -has destroyed, and educating the miner to the views that mining is like any other occupation—not a fixed destiny, but a matter of demand for a particular form of labour.— “ Yorkshire Rost.” BRITAIN’S OVERSEA TRADE. ■' If (lie volume of imports of 1913 is tn ken at the basic figure of 100, the I corresponding figure in 1924 was 106.6 ; in 1925 it was 111.8; in 1926, 117.4; and in 1927, 117.9 Exports being similarly taken as 100 in 1913, the corresponding figure in 1924 was 76.1 ; ill 1925, 76; and in 1926, 67.9. For the first quarter of 1926 the figure was 80.3 compared with 75.7 during the first quarter of 1927. The second quarter of 1926 was clearly an abnormal period, but the second quarter of 1927 showed a figure of 78.5. A consideration of those returns alone shows liow thoroughly unsatisfactory is the present tendency of our oversea trade. Imports show a steady tendency to rise, while exports remain some 25 por cent below the standard before the war.”— “ The Times ” (London). A SANE SOCIALIST, i Mr J. FI. Thomas has played many ! parts on the political stage, but wo tike him best in his ultra-British, Conztiti - 1 tional role. It is in that character that he has been appearing during the past few days most successfully and appealingly at tho Railwayman's Conference at Carlisle. The result was that the Communists and their Soviet paymasters got the greatest dressing down in their lives, and that the railwayman, following Air Thomas’s lead, displayed an unwonted spirit of reasonableness . and the* desire to co-operate. A So;-i:’.l-I ist leader who really speaks out, as .Mr ! Thomas occasionally can always j be sure of a hearing and of intlucnre. British .Socialists, if they knew t *'.•-» • own interests, would he kooiu r limn I anyone to shake off the Russian coni neetion. British railwayman, \\:ih Uho 1 very hazardous position of tiff* railways j staring thorn in the face, must: indeed j be blind if they imagine that a quarrel I with the companies will help them. I Tho “ Sunday Times ” (London).

THE IRISH MURDER. Af.r O’Higgins was regarded as the “strong man” of the Cosgrove Government* and the probable successor to the Presidency. The gravity of the blow is intensified by the fact that it raises fresh doubts of the country’s tranquility. for which the Government and. not least. Mr O’Higgins himself have striven so earnestly. One may he certain, however, that even if any opponents of tho Government are unscrupulous enough to seek political advantage from the crime, they will he disappointed of their aim. Assassination Is a two-edged weapon, and there is every likelihood that, so far from weakening the Government’s cause, the inhuman slaughter of one of its ablest Ministers will turn opinion strongly in its favour, and cast corresponding obloquy op those connected even remotely with n policy of disorder and revolution. Mr O’Higgins has died, as ho lived—in the service of bis country.—“ The Glasgow Herald.”

DECAY OF PARLIAMENT. Before 1914 the Parliamentary system of government was without rival. Even in countries governed by autocracies, as, for example, Russia and China, the main efforts of the reformers was to es. tabVisli. a Constitution with an elected Parliament and a Cabinet responsible to it. In Germany, where the executive enjoyed tremendous powers, the Liberal and progressive elements struggled to increase the rights and efficiency of the elected Chambers. The typically AngloSaxon institution of Parliament had been adopted throughout the British Dominions, North and South America, and in Europe wherever the progressive elements had made sufficient headway. The position to-day is very different. Parliamentary institutions are challenged everywhere; openly in Russia, Greece, the Balkan States, Chile. China, Spain, and Italy; not so openly hut, nevertheless, directly challenged in France, England and Germany. In the United States and the British Colonies t)io challenge is not yet so evident. In Germany the threat to the elected Reichstag comes from the parties of tho right, led by the association known as the Steel Helmets, and. of course, from tlic Communists.-Lieut.-Com. the Hon. ,T. M. Kenworthy in “ The Fortnightly Review.”