Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20th. 1917. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20th. 1917. THE WEEK.

Following the heavy lighting on the Western Front last week, there has been a lull this week, mainly imposed, no doubt, by the atrocious weather the conditions thereby created. 'The accounts of the lighting received indicate the severity of the conflict. 'The Anzac Forces engaged got into a tight corner, and Australians and New Zealanders alike suffered heavily. The lists of casualties, now coming through make plainer still the heavy toll taken of those brave follows who stuck it out in advanced positions to the bitter end. We are told that the New Zealanders did not yield any prisoners to the enemy, which further indictates the griinncss of the fighting, and the resolve to fight on to tlie death. There will be many aching and anxious hearts in the Dominion to-day The heart-felt sympathy of the people will go out to thorn and if personal feelings can in any degree assuage the grief and anxiety felt, then the genuine feelings of the people will he readily poured forth. Meantime, the war j goes on. The check on the west is quite local, for behind the preparations continue inexorably, planning and preparing for the further advance. 'This is being prepared for this week mainly from the air. The AnqJoFrench aviators have had the opportunity ’of carrying out some important aerial raids. Whether they are part of the first taste of the sell vine for reprisals is nofc disclosed, bnt it is made clear that the threat is haring its effect on the Germanic mind. The press at all events does not hesitate to say how much they deplore this kind ef warfare now that there is the possibility of fihedr own towns and towns-men being subject to .similar treatment to

that meted out to defer.csie.-3 cities in] England and Scotland .

Fbom the western theatre we have, also, news of the review'*'if the first American force. Presumably this ad-vance-guard of the great army of the United States destined to enter the fray, is now ready to pass forward to the advanced lines, and from this onward will be regularly and steadily reinforced till it swells to the giant proportions it is intended to have. It is generally expected that the American troops in the first instance will be used to support and supplement the French lines. 'They enter the lists at the most! 'unfavourable time of the year, for hare to fore nature usually imposses a halt by the rigor of the weather. There has been the suggestion however, that with Britain prepared, and America entering the fray, it is proposed to carry on the attack without cessation this winter. The attainment, of the higher ground General Haig has been manoeuvring for, gives the air of probability to the report. If therefore, the men from America are now arriving in sufficient numbers to warrant the grand attack spoken of it may be assumed that there will be jsomqthing doing iip the west through the winter. The American aptitude for hustle will find the fullest scope for exercise in northern France and Flanders from now on. In the eastern theatre Germany has miule if naval display in the Riga re- ! gion and is securing possession of j islands which at this stage ea M be main ly useful as winter quarters, in preparation for a jumping off point from Petrograd next Spring. Whether this will be possible with any measure of success is for Russia to determine, and at present that much perturbed country does not give much hope for early ■ re-habitation.

The fate of the amendment to the licensing Haws whereby the hours of sale of liquor are to „be restricted to from 9 a.ift. to 0 p.m., still hangs in the balance, with the odds rather in favour of the vital amendment- passing into law. The amendments proposed by the/ Legislative Council were considered too drastic by the Government, and the Premier announced a disagreement with same. Referred back to the Council, that august body stuck to its guns, and managers from Council and House have been appointed now to confer as regards points of difference. Tf this fails, a' deadlock will.he reached, resulting in the abandonment of the measure for this session at all events. This sacrifice is hardly likely to be made hv toe apparent victors of at this stage. 'They will make every effort- to retain the main advantage so unexpectedly won, that restrictive details will be abandoned rather than lose the whole measure of licensing reform as viewed by the advocates of early closing. There was a significant division in the House on the main principle of the Bill —as regards the date of operation of early dosing. Mr Wilford advanced the obvious request that the scrap of paper —the publican’s license, earned and : paid for should be respected for its full term, so that there should not be any deliberate breach of contract. The House negatived this by oq to 21 votes. . Seven Ministers voted against Air Wilfoicl’s proposal, namely. Sir James Allen, Hons Fraser, Henan. Kerries. Massey, Pomare'and Russell, while four Ministers were in favour, namely. Hons. Herdman, MacDonald, Myers and Sir Joseph Word. The full division was a striikng indication of the House’s attitude on the main question at issue.

The usual serenity of the Land Board meetings was disturbed this week. The cause was the reference to the lime-burning question, a matter ’ which in itself suggests heat. The executive of the Westland A. and P. Association appears to have the matter quite out of focus, and .views the question of the Ross project in an entirely wrong light. Briefly the position seems to lie that two applicants, private parties, proceeded to take up areas on the Totara side of the limestone area. There wa s some talk of activity with regard to public action in the same or contiguous locality hut in the process of exploitation, wliat was considered a better and more accessible deposit was discovered on the Ross townside of the lime stone hill. Thi s was applied for by a prospective company which originated mainly from a succession of meetings of farmers and local l>ody representatives. At this point confusion appears to have arisen in the minds of those not understanding the locality. There has been a feeling that the'public company sought to oust private enterprise, but as the applications for both private and public enterprises have been granted, this idea should be dispelled with now. The essential thing is the provision of cheap lime for the farmers, and the concern that\ean put the good article on the market at the lowest rate is what the settlor wants. Tht> Company has expectations of supplying this want at something in the region of £1 per ton. If that can be done, a great service will he rendered, and there can then he no real regrets that the company has secured its lease of life. The grant having been made it is now for the company to make good, vand produce the goods, following which the settlers are sure to do their part, as it is felt that tho West Coast Lands are hungering for a lime fertiliser.

To-mouhow is marked on the calendar “Nelson Day,” in memory of the Great Commander of the British fleet which won tho battle of Trafalgar on Get. 21st 1805. The British fleet numbered 27 ships of the line and 4 frigates under Nelson, with Collingwood second in command. The French .Spanish fleet number 33 ships of the line and 5 frigates under the FYeneh admiral, Villenueve, and the Spanish admirals, Gravinn and Alava. The allied ships lost, totalled* 19; ; Gravina was killed and Villt nenvc taken prisoner. Lord Nelson also was killed. The action is memorable in history because it was the deciding engagement which left Britain Mistress of the Seas/ aud dispersed of Napoleonic hopes of an invasion of England. Tho story of the tight is an inspiring one because of the confidence with which Lord Nelson entered the fray, and the determination with which he fought his ships. It was intended by him lb be a deciding battle, and that it certainly was. Since then the years have rolled by, France

and ‘Britain bare knitted into close < comradeship, cemented now for ail time by the common sacrifice of the two nations on 'the battle-scarred fields of northern France. ' This war has demonstrated too, that the British Navy has not only saved Britain from invasion, but Franco also from annihilation. Without the British Navy, France could not have drawn her own help from across the waters. She, as we, owe everything to the supremacy of the British Navy, so established 112 years ago. • France does not in these clays begrudge the more than century old vetory for she lias realised over and over again what in point of fact the freedom of the seas means when directed by a humane, Great Power like Britain. •

To Englishmen, Nelson’s Day recalls the splendid spirit fostered as tradition has grown from that great occasion. Nelson lias stood to the British Navy as a figure transfixed. His bravery so often manifested has been contagious on oilr fighting ships all down the years. He lias left an example of sailor-likc devotion to duty and country which has survived tlie hoary years. His very signal flown so bravely as lie went into action lias become familiar to one and all; “England expects that every man will do his duty!” There is probably in all the far flung British Fleet to-day not a ship wherein this famous injunction is not displayed for the men to pattern by. Nelson’s bravo, spirit descended as it were upon the .British Fleet for all time, and Nelson still stands out as till? most conspicuous figure in all naval history. How that noble legacy has been inherited by his worthy successors, history now almost daily recounts. 'Hie whole naval story of the Great War is still fat from told. There is much that of necessity is hidden (or the time being. But now and again the admiring British people have been privileged with a glimpse or two as to what our Navy is still capable of.' To-day the Navy stands stronger, than ever. It has expanded enormously during the last three years, ■ and is ready at every point for whatever task is before it. Tt is never at rest. Tt polices all waters where the enemy might penetrate, and holds them so securely that the Grand Fleet of Germany is impotent, and dare not venture from behind its mine fields to geek any engagement of the deciding character of a Trafalgar. Well may we honor the name of Nelson, and all that his great traditions mean to us as a nation, and to the Navy itself as an undying inspiration and guide.