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The Observer from London, Greater London, England • 20
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The Observer from London, Greater London, England • 20

Publication:
The Observeri
Location:
London, Greater London, England
Issue Date:
Page:
20
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

20 THE OBSERVER, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1935. THE PRIDE OF SOMERSET. MINERS' WAGE CLAIM. Bide, via Vancouver, to New Zealand and Australia. COMPLETING THE CIRCLE.

The complete circling of the world by air routes, and that by more than one line, will be in sight, and in all this amazing movement and progress Great Britain wili play a great part, yet could still fail through stupidity and neglect. Germany and France are not inactive. On the military side the Air Force will BE 800 YEARS OLD. THREATENED LINER SERVICE. THE OWNERS' NEW MOVE.

A MORE HOPEFUL ATMOSPHERE. THE EXPORT DISTRICTS. (By Our Mining Correspondent) The hopes of a peaceful settlement of the miners' claim for increased wages have been strengthened during the past few days by the action of the colliery owners not only in taking steps to raise the pithead prices of coal, but in breaking down the barrier, whjch has separated them from the Mineworkers' Federation since 1926. The joint meeting on Tuesday, will be different in character from' that of last week but one, when the officials of the two bodies had a brief conference to enable the attitude of the mineowners to be explained. During the past week the various district associations of owners have prepared then- wage proposals, and on Tuesday these will be formally sub mitted by representatives of these districts to the men's leaders.

The proposals will then be communicated to the dele gate conference on Wednesday, and it is likely tnat iurtner negotiations will follow. A STAGE FORWARD. The joint meeting will not be one officially between the Mining Association and the Federation, and the owners collectively still adhere to their decision that the settlement must be one by district agreements. The procedure is in a sense a compromise between national negotiations and settlement and terms arranged in the districts with the Federation having no part- in the discussions. Although this does not meet the claim of the Federation, they may accept it as a stage towards their objective if the terms actually ottered are satisfactory.

The main difficulty will probably arise on the increases suggested by the exporting districts. In the other districts a substantial additional revenue will be derived from the. increased prices if the appeal of the owners for a revision ot existing contracts is generally responded to. The increases on domestic coal, which range from Is. to Is.

8dl 'per ton, will be-no small matter for consumers if "the. retailers pass on the whole amount, but the aggregate sum obtained in this way would not go far towards meeting even half the wage claim. If the money necessary to give the miners satisfactory terms is to be obtained immediately, it can only be. got from the industrial users and the electricity and gas concerns. The fact that the owners have asked for this concession, and that many of these users have agreed to it for the specific purpose of raising wages, is an unprece- dented circumstance in the" history of 'the coal industry.

It reflects the powerful influence of public opinion, the pressure of the Government under the stimulus of this opinion, and also the recognition by a large number of colliery owners that the wages now received by a very -large proportion of the miners are inadequate. If anything like a fair compromise can be arranged the miners leaders wijl not let slip the opportunity that bas been created for the initiation of a new and better era in their relations with, the owners. CASTtOt I It lighter grade ot fluid odt renins conrjMom. P1ml Ctoi CW ofWall, approved for cold weather use by toes famous maken FORD STANDARD HUDSON STUfDEBAKER JOWETT TERRAPLANE VAUXHALL be expanding at Ihe rate of the formation of one squadron per week throughout the year, and afterwards. New types of aircraft, faster than any except record-breakers.

are already undergoing trials, and will soon be in production. All over the country the men for the expanding Air Force are being trained. The combined civil flying and military air expansion is already proving a stimulus to research and invention in this field, and the whole of the flying proposition will inevitably be improved as a conse-cuence in the coming and the following year. THE AIR SERVICE TO U.S.A. ROUTES AND MACHINES.

Agreement between Great Britain and the United States with regard to mutual interests in transatlantic air services, reached last Wednesday, clears the air of much uncertainty as to international obstacles, and enables both countries to go ahead with preparations. The cost of these preparations will be considerable, and Government assistance will be needed. So far as the coming year is concerned, the cost to Great Britain may be covered by the subsidies authorisation, which will be sought in the Air Navigation Bill to be introduced into Parliament, for littie can be done in 1936 beyond experimental flights with the means at hand, and the designing and laying down of an Atlantic class of flying boat. The hope that a schedule service may be started by the summer of 1937 seems rather optimistic, for the difficulties of regular flying across the North Atlantic both ways are very great, and are by no means overcome by the production of a long-range flying boat. A great deal of work has yet to be done, but the fact remains, we now have the definite assurance of a regular flving service linking Great Britain with Canada and thi United States.

THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE. The advantages of an alternative route seem to have been grasped. Owing to the prevailing winds the westwards crossing of the N. Atlantic calls for aircraft of much greater range than the 2,000 miles from Ireland to St. Johns.

The -American flying boat which has lately crossed the Pacific to the Philippines and back did no stage longer than 2.400 miles, and certainly did not have to encounter strong and continuous head winds. It may be remarked, in passing, that both of the two new American types of flying boat on their demonstration and experimental flights over long distances have made cruising speeds of considerably less than 150 miles per hour. Even assuming a cruising air speed of 150 m.p.h., if regularity is to be ensured, allowance must be made for adverse winds of 50 or 60 m.p.h., which means that the travel speed falls to 100 m.p.h., so that on the western flight an endurance of twenty hours would be necessary. Apart from other considerations, there are weighty commercial ones for choosing a route which does not involve tremendous endurance and the carrying of an enormous quantity of fuel and the tankage to accommodate it. Atlantic air traffic will almost certainlv be of the one-way kind, via Newfoundland and Ireland, (either Cork or Bantry Bay) from America to Europe, and via Cork or Bantry Bay, the Azores, and Bermuda on the westward route.

BIG FLYING BOATS. Twenty-nine big flying boats are in production for Imperial Airways. One of them was intended for an experimental service between Bermuda and New York. In addition, a composite aircraft is being built, by which a high-speed, heavy-load-carrying, long-range seaplane will be launched from another flying boat. One of the flying boats and the "composite aircraft" may be used for an Atlantic experiment in the coming year, while, on the American side doubtless a Martin flying boat, the China Clipper, will be tried.

The British flying boats win have a cruising speed of 150 m.p.h., and a range with full load of 1,500 miles. The range could, of course, be increased at the cost of freight-carrying capacity. These boats will in some jespects be superior to the American craft. But meanwhile British f.ying-boat manufacturers are preparing long-range designs, specially for mail-carrying across the Atlantic, and undoubtedly the official steps made good last week will hasten on these plans. GREEK GOVERNMENT'S FIRST MOVE.

From Our Own Correspondent.) ATHENS, Saturday. The Government will state its policy on Wednesday, when the Premier will have concluded his conversations with all the party leaders. The Assembly will probably be dissolved, despite M. Tsaldaris's desire for its meeting. Republican leaders support the Government's plan for immediate dissolution The Ultra-Royalist Press continues its attacks on the Premier's policy, and the Under-Secretary for War has requested the newsppers to leave the Army out of political questions.

5otns 3Mln6. Is that a lamp or star? A rock or tree? Please, tell me what they are, You who can see. Yet once a swallow flew Close to my face, And I could mark its blue Quick happy grace. So clear that coloured wing Stays in my mind, I.shali desire sweet spring. Even then, when blind.

W. B. T. HOLFORD BEECHES NEW SPANISH CABINET. SENOR GIL ROBLES EXCLUDED.

(From Our Oxen Correspondent.) MADRID, Saturday. Spanish politics entered a decisive and interesting phase to-day when Senor Manuel Portela Valladares. the veteran politician who has been a Minister under the Crown and under the Republic, and who at present is not attached to any party ended the tense situation caused by the prolonged political crisis, by forming a Cabinet and announcing that the new Government had authority to dissolve Parliament in an opportune moment. A sensation was caused when it became known that the Clerical Party, led by. Senor Gil Rubles, was not forming part of the new Cabinet, and great disgust is felt in Clerical circles.

One of the principal reasons for the fall of the last Cabinet led by Senor Chapa-prieia was the desire of the Clericals to replace him as Premier by Senor Robles. There is much bitter comment in these circles, as it is alleged that, as the largest Parliamentary minority, they have never been offered the Premiership, and that it is undemocratic to declare the present Cortes ungovernable when the leading minority has never been given a chance to form a Cabinet. BITTER STRUGGLE. A bitter political struggle is now foreseen, and presumably the Clericals will try to form some kind of alliance with the Monarchists. Senor Cirilo del Rio represents the Progressist Party, formerly led by President Zamora, and which has only three deputies; in the present Cortes.

The new Cabinet lacks outstanding figures. Senor Jose Martinez de Velasco, leader of the Agrarian Party, which has forty deputies, continues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Senor Pedro Rahola. Minister without portfolio, represents the Catalan League; Senor Alfredo Martinez, in the Labour Ministry, belongs to the small Liberal Democratic Party; while Senor Chapaprieta remains at the helm of national finance. Senor Portela is nearly seventy years of age.

a very wealthy business man. and with much influence in Galicia and Catalonia. He was Minister for Public Works in the Liberal Cabinet overthrown by Primo in It is significant that he will himself also hold the Ministry of the Interior, which is a highly important office in Spain, during electoral periods. TERRITORIAL CHANGE-OVER. (By a Military Correspondent.) To-day eight well-known Territorial regiments, having associations with London dating back, in some cases, to over 200 years, cease to function as infantry, and are combined together to form the 1st London Anti-Aircraft Brigade.

Three regiments are to become anti-aircraft gunners. They are the 4th City of London Regiment, which was, as a Territorial unit, part of the Corps of Royal Fusiliers; the Finsbury Rifles, officially known as the lllh London Regiment and part of the King's Royal Rifle Corps; and the Tth Battalion the Essex Regiment, which in Volunteer days was the famous "Silvertown Rifles." Five regiments will man searchlights. They are the City of London Rifles, which as the 6th City of London Regiment, was part of the King's Royal Rifle Corps; the Post Office Rifles, officially designated the Tth City (if London Regiment and formed "in of tilt' 7th i.nrl Hth Battalions nf the London Regimen; in December, the Loud i in Regiment, who are the old St. Panrras Volunteers and still bear the figure of St. Pancras on their crest; the Queen's Own.

otherwise the 20th London Regiment; and the 1st Surrey Rifles, who have always refused to hide themselves under their War Office name the" 21st London Regiment." ON THE QUANTOCKS, SAID TO Week -TEnd Weather: RAIN, SLEET, OR SNOW. BRIGHT INTERVALS. OFFICIAL REPORT. GENERAL INFERENCE. A deep depression over Eastern Iceland is likely to move east slightly, andg.

trough of low pressure over West Scotland and Ireland is moving eastward. Its passage will be accompanied by rain, sieet, or snow. In its rear there will be bright intervals and showers, chiefly in the west. Temperature will rise temporarily to its average December level, but will soon fall again. ENGLAND S.E.

and MIDLANDS E. Wind veering west or north-west, light or moderate; snow, sleet, or rain' early, then bright interuals, perhaps local showers; becoming milder. FURTHER OUTLOOK. Cold generally; snow in places, especially in the north and west. THREE-YEAR PERIOD OF WARMTH.

(By Our Meteorological Corra spondent.) Unless December proves to be a cold month colder, on the whole, than it has been so far the three years 1933, 1934, and 1935 will constitute a period of sustained warmth unequalled since the early part of last century in the London district. At Greenwich Observatory the mean temperature for 1933 was 51.5 and for 1934 51.7 deg. This year's corresponding figure to November 30 was 52.4 deg. Assuming "that the present month gives an approximation to the normal value, the mean for 1935 will be 51.4 and the general average for 1933-35 51.5 deg. Hitherto, the warmest three successive years since records were begun at the Royal Observatory, in 1841, have been 1857, 1858, and 1859, with a general average temperature of 51.4 deg.

Earlier thermometric data for London are available back to 1764. The long record thus obtained shows that the last instance of a three-year period yielding a general average temperature as high as 51.5 deg. was in 1804 to 1R06, when the computed value was 51.8 deg. LONDON'S CLIMATIC CHANGE. During the eighth and ninth decades of the eighteenth century London's- climate appears to have undergone a notable temporary change in the direction of greater warmth.

For seven consecutive years, 1777 to 1783, the annual mean temperatures were, respectively, 52.1 51.9 52.9 50.6 53.5 50.9 and 55.2 giving a general average of 52.4 deg.Tj!-2.2 deg. above the accepted normal. In 1783, when June, July, and August were all hotter thari they have ever been since, a vast cloud of volcanic dust, which overspread Europe after a terrific eruption of Skaptar Jokull, in Iceland, apparently operated to prevent radiation of the earth's warmth into space, and produced the excessive heat of that summer by a kind of "greenhouse" effect. Over the year 1783. as a whole, the temperature in London maintained an average level midway between the normals for Bordeaux and Biarritz.

LONDON UNDER CANOPY OF FOG. Central London was darkened by a high fog yesterday afternoon. Apart from ijliiiiiik luiwiiiu iigninifc-up mot? uy I r-iT 1, 1 v. nuui a. uiu nuL inieiicitr wilii rail or road traffic.

It was caused by an accumulation of smoke in the atmosphere and the absence of wind. Horizontal visibility was not impaired: the gloom was above roof level. The suburbs were free of fog, and aerial services were not affected. CANADIAN CHANGES AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION. GRANTS TO THE PROVINCES.

STEPS TO DEAL WITH WORKLESS. FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) OTTAWA, Saturday. Dominion and Provincial Conference has olosed after adopting the reports of sub-committees which presage far-reaching action on the questions of the constitution, finance, unemployment, and taxation. A continuing committee of legal authorities will draft an amendment of the North America Act, and the Imperial Parliament will then be asked to confer power upon Canada to amend her own constitution.

Mr. Taschereau admitted that his point of view had broadened because the friendly understanding of other provinces as to the rights of a minority. The financial problem was the chief obstacle. The Dominion finally agreed to increase the rchef grants to the provinces, and a continuing committee of financial experts was appointed. There wilt be further conferences between the Minister of Finance and the Provincial Treasurers.

A proposal to re-fund the federal, provincial, and municipal debts Into one huge refunded low-interest loan was rejected as being too cumbersome. The Social Credit Premier of Alberta, Mr. Aberhart, advanced no suggestions, but sat silent in the financial discussions. UNEMPLOYMENT COMMISSION. Accepting the report of the Unemployment Committee, the Dominion will appoint a National Unemployment Commission as proposed by Mr.

Mackenzie King when Opposition leader in the session of Parliament. There will be a complete survey of the unemployment situation, and registration of unemployed, un-employables, and other indigent persons. Mayor Houde, of Montreal, presented a communication on behalf of the Mayors' Conference, recommending that the Dominion accept the complete load direct relief as the municipalities are overburdened with costs beyond their power to meet: The Mining Committee recommended the revision of mining taxation with stability for five years. The Agriculture Committee recommended that when the Supreme Court rules as to the validity of the Marketing Act a conference of the Dominion and Provincial Ministers of -Agriculture should be called to deal with marketing problems, particularly export. PERILS OF MOTHERHOOD.

SERIOUSNESS OF THE AFTER-EFFECTS. Dr. Eileen M. Warren, of Eastcote, Middlesex, said at a conference on maternal mortality, in Manchester, yesterday, that nearly r0 per cent, of the rases of maternal mortality were believed to he preventable, even under present social I I but death rote of practically every had Krie down. the imn'talilv figures had crept tli-stcadilv the last four years In her ui.nioi the tjucstinn i1 I i eh jri-b: Eh wa r'orv as important as maternal mortality.

Actual figures were hard to obtain, but in Liverpool and Glasgow statistics showed that between 30 and 35 per cent, of women were suffering from some kind of ill-health after child-birth. DR. MASARYK'S RETIREMENT. THE MAN AND HIS WORK. CREATOR OF A NATION.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) PRAGUE, Saturday. Dr. Masaryk, President of Czechoslovakia since the. formation of the State, resigned to-day. He is to have the title of President-Liberator," in honour of his services to the Czech nation.

Lana Castle will be given to him for, life, and he will also receive a pension. The President celebrated his eighty-fifth birthday in March. Although he was taken seriously ill lrfst year, and his left arm became paralysed, he recovered from the illness and was able to continue the conduct of affairs. He retained a remarkable mental alertness and could until now decisively influence the course of Czecho-Slovak politics. He was undoubtedly influenced by the desire to see that the right person should take over his heritage.

President Masaryk was firmly convinced that the best man to succeed him would be his devoted friend and pupil, Dr. Edward Benes, for sixteen years Foreign Minister of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. His resignation will be a great loss to Czecho-Slovakia. Dr. Masaryk was not only a great statesman, but also a maker of a nation.

The new Czecho-Slovakia was his creation; his unceasing, untiring efforts enabled him to convince the major statesmen of Europe to create an independent Czecho-Slovakia. Now that he is retiring into the privacy of a country squire's life (for the private life of the President resembled that of an English country squire), he will have at least the satisfaction of knowing that his able pupil and collaborator during and after the war, Dr. Benes, will continue the work which he started. Our Diplomatic. Correspondent writes In every capital of- the' world the name of Thomas G.

Masaryk. is so big. and the respect it commands is so universal, that its influence is confidently expected long to survive the formal term of his office. In London and in Paris alike it is hoped and believed that his countrymen will ut the elections fulfil his parting wish that he be succeeded by Dr. Benes, who more than any man knows and sympathises with the Masarykian principles on which the new Czecho-Slovakia has been built.

EGYPT AND A TREATY. UNITED FRONT'S NOTE TO BRITAIN. Sir Miles Lampson, British High Commissioner in Egypt, forwarded to the British Government from Cairo yesterday a summary of the document handed to him by Nahas Pasha, on behalf of the United Front in Egypt, pointing out that the absence of a regular Treaty with Great Britain is a constantly disturbing factor in Egypt's internal politics." It was also stated in the note that the Egyptian people felt that the co-operation with Britain which the Italo-Abyssinian crisis entailed, and "to which they had readily consented, provided an excellent opportunity for concluding the Treaty already negotiated in 1930. Forty students were arrested in Alexandria during demonstrations yesterday morning, according to a Reuter message. Police wearing steel helmets and armed with shields and canes have been stationed at strategic points in readiness to deal with any further disorders.

Shouts of "Egypt for the Egyptians" were raised by a crowd of students, including many women, who demonstrated outside the British Residency in Cairo. A British constable on a motor-cycle, who was attacked, fired his revolver in the air to scatter his assailants. NEW ZEALAND READY TO HELP. WELLINGTON, Saturday. Mr.

Savage, the New Zealand Prime Minister, commenting on the decision of the P. and O. Company to discontinue its steamship service between San Francisco, New Zealand, and Australia, said that he thought something should be done, in conjunction with the other Dominions affected. We are prepared to pull our weight," he declared. He emphasised the desirability of maintaining a decent standard of living and conditions for New Zealand seamen, saying that the crews of foreim vsls might not be on the same basis.

He thought it might be necessary, to maintain me iew Zealand standard, to give pre- lerence to uritisn lues. teuter. i ATI NT CASIROL i A A During cold weather, the niken el thr following Ijmoui can advise you to clung over to Patent Cjilrol AA: AUSTIN CROSSLEY10 DOVER B.S.A. NILLMAN SINGER CHRYSLER NUMBER S.S. CITROEN MORRIS TRIUMPH RILEY C-WAKEFIELD CO-LTD WAKEFIELD MOUSE CHI APSIDt LONDON 4.

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