PORTRAIT OF THE WEEK
Summer began to run true to form, with rain, trouble on the railways, and pressure on the pound. Sterling and British government stocks fell to their lowest levels ever as the National Union of Railwaymen began working to rule: the footplatemen joined them, six days ahead of schedule. First effects were erratic but, although London commuters were hard hit, nowhere crippling. Worse, though, was feared as the management stood fast and the Government declined to intervene, rating the men's demand —for an all-round increase before discussions about productivity—a breach of the incomes policy.
That policy, though defended on another front as the salary of the chairman of Hambros Bank came under review, was nearly cut off in the rear as twenty-three left wing Labour MPS voted with the Conservatives to deny the Gov- ernment powers of compulsion. Only the Liberal party spared the Prime Minister, already defied by the Lords, from having to decide whether to limit the HoUse of Commons' power to obstruct the people's will. In the event, the only govern- ment defeated was that of the RSPCA. whose re- port was rejected by the members because of its policy on hunting.
In France and Canada, governments success- fully went to the country. The French, in the first stage of their general election, chose for the General: M Pompidou and the Gaullists seemed set for an increased majority. But Mr Pierre Trudeau did even better, his Liberal party gaining twenty-five seats in_ the Canadian elec- tions to give it 153 out of a total of 264 with only two results still to come.
Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the United States, laid down his office after fifteen years in which—notably by his support for civil rights —he had left a lasting impression on the life of his country. Now he wished the appoint- ment of his successor to be the gift of Presi- dent Johnson rather than President Nixon. The President urged Congress to pass a bill requir- ing all firearms to be licensed, while sanctimoni- ous English comment on American violence died clown as the Krays and others were charged at Bow Street with, inter multa alia, murdering Frank Mitchell, the 'Mad Axe Man,' after arranging his escape from Dartmoor.
Italian police using tear gas prevented com- munist demonstrators from closing down the Venice Biennale. London police prevented Biafran demonstrators from marching on 10 Downing Street to protest against 'genocidal war.' In Australia, the comedian Tony Hancock took his own life.
Wimbledon, open for the first time to ama- teur and professional players alike, began in wind and rain. The same weather, with wine hail added, helped England to bowl Australia out for 78 at Lord's, but prevented the Test match from being played to a finish.
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