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Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1929, Page 4

A very impartial review of the Federal political situation was passed by The 'I imes, when the great London paper discussed Commonwealth affairs last

week. The newspaper offered a very friendly welcome to the Scullin government, and appreciated the difficult problems it had to fate. Those were both financial and industrial, and were akin, the payer said, to those of the British Prime Minister who is also a I labour leader. 'The -difficulty of the Commonwealth (Government at this stage is in relation to its financial obligations. Loans are falling due. ami heavy renewals arc incumbent. On top of that there is the coal trade depression, due to the long sustained strike, and the trouble with most countries now-a-davs—unemployment. A good deal of the responsibility at the moment- falls on Mr Theodore, the Treasurer. and The Times refers to the fact of Mr Theodore’s former achievements in Queensland, as an experience which shoidd stand him in good stead now. Mr Theodore is advised to drop his former methods of extreme socialism and adopt a more nra'.tical course of administration. The Times also makes it plain to the nation that the most urgent need in connection with me industrial problem is to restore respect for the law. This is excellent advice, and it would be well for Australia if the seed falls on good ground. The late Government fell in an effort to secure a uniiorm law affecting the control of industry, and it was rather remarkable that one of the new Min sters who bad ousted the Government because of its proposed policy, should now admit that the arbitration law was in need of an overhaul! This was precisely the aim of the Bruce Ministry, so that there has teen ready endorsement of the general trend of its policy. However, Mr Scullin and his colleagues have, such a difficult task before them that nothing" good can come of considering what might have been. The facts of the present have to he faced, and in that respect The Times offers words of encouragement to the Government, find promising a sympathetic understanding t-o a genuine effort towards the promotion of the general wood of the Column wealth. The latest files of the Australian paners are equally fair and helpful with their good wishes to the Government, for it is realised the task ahead is an extremely difficult one. Such being the case, the attitude of The Times can he \\i'/U understood, ‘ and the same good feeling for the immediate future of the political situation "in Australia will be general, and the good wishes re-echoed on all sides.