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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 5, Issue 4 (August 1, 1930)

A New Labour Note

A New Labour Note.

In the sphere of Empire trade the end of June and the early days of July were marked by two very notable statements of policy on the part of groups outside the ordinary party-political organisations. In Britain the Trade Union Congress (the T.U.C.) is about the last body to be accused of collaboration with the official Conservatives, or with Lord Beaver-brook's “Empire Freetraders,” or with any other political backers of Empire tariffism. When, therefore, the General Council of the T.U.C. declares for a principle of Empire co-operation in trade—the British traditional policy of isolation being “no longer possible”—the pronouncement carries more weight among the politicians than if a party organisation had said it. With an American economic bloc on one side, and a probable European bloc on the other, the T.U.C. Committee declares for an Empire bloc. Such a declaration does not amount to a yea or nay on tariffism, but it implies acceptance of the fiscal compromises that co-operation within the Empire would require. The other statement of policy, from a group of British bankers, presided over by Sir Eric Hambro, goes further. Britain should be “prepared to impose duties on all foreign imports.” This is, of course, a negation of the present British Government's provisional promise to Argentina.

Members of the Royal Commission upon Railways now Sitting in Wellington. (Rly, Publicity photo.) Left to right: Mr. J. D. Hall (Christchurch), Mr. R. W. McVilly (former General Manager of Railways, Wellington), Mr. J. Marchbanks (Wellington), and the Hon. R. Masters, M.L.C. (Stratford), Chairman of the Commission.

Members of the Royal Commission upon Railways now Sitting in Wellington.
(Rly, Publicity photo.)
Left to right: Mr. J. D. Hall (Christchurch), Mr. R. W. McVilly (former General Manager of Railways, Wellington), Mr. J. Marchbanks (Wellington), and the Hon. R. Masters, M.L.C. (Stratford), Chairman of the Commission.