NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 12, 28 July 1919, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

In. the war records of this country an honourable place will always be taken by the War Portrait Collection which is being made by the uithorilieti ot lie Dominion Museum. The collection, which includes not. only phofcogi aplis but records of the deeds by 1 which solders gained' distinction, is intended in any case to comprehend all members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forcc, and all New Zealanders serving in other forces, who were awarded decorations. If the necessary photographs and particulars are- obtainable it will include also all the officers and men from this country who were mentioned in dispatches. Such a compilation obviously will be of enduring value and interest, and very possibly when it has been completed it may bs found desirable to copy the photographs and records in order that they may be placed on permanent exhibition in other centres as well as in Wellington. In any case those who are in a position to do so—soldiers and their relatives and the relatives of fallen soldiers—ccrtainly ought to give what assistance is possible towards completing the collection. Already something over five hundred photographs are in hand, but many others are still required, and this fact, with the nature and objects of the collection, ought to be as widely known as possible. No doubt photographs of those who won special distinction on active service arc in some cases unobtainable, but it would be a great pity if the collection were left in any respect avoidably incomplete.

The severe restrictions now imposed on passenger' traffic on the railways sufficiently indicate that the effects of the coal shortage arc far from being spent. Ten days ago the. Minister in charge of Coal Distribution, Mil. Myers, intimated that if expectations in regard to supplies were realised it should be possible during the ensuing six weeks to allot 60,000 tons of coal to Railways Department. At the rate of consumption prior to the cut in services this would have represented supplies for nearly throe months. Apparently these expectations aro not being realised, for apart from the reduction of passenger traffic to a minimum, it is now stated that the prospects of any early extension even'in goods traffic arc doubtful. In these circumstanccs it stents to be incumbent on the Government not only to take all measures possible to augment coal supplies, but to give serious consideration to the question of regulating both ra'iway traffic and alternative form's oE traffic to the best advantage. The Railways Department has accepted the assistance of a citizens' committee in Christ-church, snd is being offered similar assistance in Invcrcargill. If such arrangement:? arc usefulj their general adoption in all important centres ought to be considered. This apart, however, the outlook being what it is the question arises whether the Government ought not to undertake the regulation of x all forms of long distance transport, of goods and materials until the present situation is relieved.

One of the most effective points made by Mr. Lloyd George in'the debate on the Pcace Treaty Bill was in regard to the agreement with France that she will be given immediate assistance by Britain and ' America should Germany attack her without. _ provocation. This has teen criticised and denounced in some quart ire as an arrangement inconsistent with the spirit and constitution of th> League of Nations and reducing that international organisation to a mere shadow. The British Prime Minister argues with evident force that such a guarantee to Franco is necessary in order that the League of Nations may have a better chance of being established as a permanent organisation. The-nations which arc chiefly responsible for tho creation of the League are assured'y not inconsistent in making special provision against a danger that otherwise would obviously . threaten its continued existence and in dealing with a state of affairs that would make any progress in disarmament i impossible. The essential purpose j of the agreement cvi.lently is to dis- ! courage Germany from undertaking I a war of revenge against France(' and _to relieve the latter country of', making such mibt;>y preparation' as she, would be bound to make i' she lived in constant expectation <ii attack. If it «orves its purpos the agreement wili clear the. way fpa measure' of disarmament whiel otherwise it would be hopeless to ex pcct, and will do not a little to establish the League of Nations on a j firm foundation j