The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4,1931. BRITAIN’S EXPERIENCE. '
It is not unlikely that .the experience of Britain, in the past few mo mbs will do much to influence both Em\mv. and world conditions. Apart from th» election lesuJts which have nlUii'iled the wnole word by reincarnating the dogged determination' of John. Bull in crisis or national emer- ' gency, there was the earlier prompt action of the National Cabinet in placing Britain off the gold standard. This in itself gave a marked fillip to nndus'iiry. l't has been poi ink'd out that by going off the gold standard, the action had the effect similar to imposing a 20 per cent, tariff on imports into the Old Country. Instant-. ,ly the unemployment lists' began to sag alt. the rate of about 60,000 per week owing to manufacturing industries requiring more hands. The saving in unemployment payments was said to he , equal to a million and n half per tinmim. It is certainly better, as has been remarked, to pay wages in preference to the dole. There is reason to expect the manufacturing industries at Home to absorb more labour.: It is not unlikely because of thait possibility that the Midlands severed, connection with Labour rep resent ion in Parliament, and preferred National representatives, the Cabinet of which had made isuch a good beginning. The policy of the. Nationals was one of hope while that of Labour was one of despair—seeking to control private finance and bank credits, thereby destroying private ownership and destroying enterprise. This was too great an advance in Socialism, and ithe worker was dear thinker, enough to pull up on the very brink of the precipice leading to national disaster. It is important for the British worker to be protected from foreign competitions in the many countries of which the standard of ’living is lower, with wages distincjtly lower and hours longer. The policy of the National .Government gives hope to the British worker of a. degree of salvation not possible’ hitherto. The confidence of the manufacturer in adding to his• working staff suggests a period of better business, and the passing of the worst' of the visitation of depression. Following the election notv there should be a further uniift aind the worker will benefit directly and quiclcly from the improving trade. It remains to he seen what is to ho done about a tariff, Already the Dominions within the Empire are looking for some degree of preference and this is likely to come'. Any preference given to the Empire at largo will mean a higher tariff for foreign goods, and to that extent the Dominions will be benefited. If, as seems evident, trade is improving substantially, the manufacturers will be expecting a' further advantage from a protective tariff, and that will lead up to more labour being required, and a, larger output being produced. Empire trading promises to grow more in favour, and that patriotism will be helpful all round. It_ would appear that. Great Britain has just passed an important milestone in its industrial history, while parting so readily with the. so-called Labour representation remarkable for ' its leanings to misdirected lela.s=i benefits only, the industrial population ha® c-hosen ; National representation, tinder which all classes will be treaW equitably and, will benefit under the improved trading resultant, from confidence in thenew order of government.
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Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1931, Page 4
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566The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4,1931. BRITAIN’S EXPERIENCE. ' Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1931, Page 4
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