Hokitika Guardian & evening star SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17th, 1917. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & evening star SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17th, 1917. THE WEEK.

The greatest satisfaction was felt yes. terday when it became known that what was a very important arrest had been made the previous evening at Christchurch, in connection with the dreadful Runanga tragedy of a wevn. ago. The man arrested visited Hokitika last Monday, arriving by tram, and departing next day by motor car for Otira, where he took the overland journey to Christ church. The statements made in connection with the man’s arrest, and the fact that so much plunder was discovered gives much color to a, situation which the accused will require to adequately explain away to clear himself. The police at Greymouth kept, evidently a close watch on the of all suspicious characters. They were indefatigable in this respect, and followed up MaeMahon’s movements very intelligently. When it was discovered the man in question had moved to Hokitika it was not long before enquiries were made at this end,

and valuable information elicited as Ito the man’s movements, and from this information knowledge was gained of his probable whereabouts in Christchurch. The Christchurch police were most successful in their tracing operations an d in promptly making an arrest j The trial of the accused will lead doubtless to the clearing up of the tragic occurrence, which has been one of the | most moving events in the history of j the Coast, despite the doiDgs of the I early days when all classes of men I flocked to the hush clad El Dorado.

I Sin Joseph Ward has taken his time j to select a successor for the late Dr. ! McNab. Several Richmonds were in I the field, but- Mr. Wilford was one of . the first selections for the vacancy ana j the final choice fell upon that gentlej man. .Just why the National Government went through the session one . Minister short is not clear. There may have been some personal differences to adjust, hut these might nave been adjusted sooner rather than later. In selecting Mr. Wilford, assuming that Sir 1 Joseph wished to please the Liberal | Party, he could not have made a selecI tion likely to be more pleasing. Mr. i Wilford has ability aijd stability and has proved a worthy supporter of liberal principles. He, is a very capable man, having intellectual attainments which fit him to fill the high office with success. He has the saving grace of Rumour which should bo rather an asset to the ■National Ministry the members of which as a whole are somewhat lugubrious in their manner. Mr. Wilford has proved himself a virile member, and as the unofficial leader of the House outside the Ministry, has proved his capacity i n dealing with and discussing many large questions during the war period. .Ho is a man of groat human sympathy with nu intimate knowledge of mankind. He should prove a tower of strength to Sir Joseph ' Ward in Cabinet , where his opinions I are sure to he clearly and fearlessly I given, ire has the ability to rank as • first 'Lieutenant of the Liberal Lender if need be, and in that- circumstance there will be satisfaction that his merits are recognised and he is on the stepping stone to higher political lion ors as time rolls by . .The visit, of the officials of the , Young Men’s Christian Association this week turned the attention of many folk to the great patriotic work performed by the organisation for the benefit of our soldiers on active service. 'Hie Association knows neither creed nor class, and sets about- doing good wherever it can find the opportunity to play the noble part. What the General Secretary had to say here was both informative and instructive. His address made it clear that not only was the soldier worth helping, but it was worth helping through the Y.M. C.A. The former duty has long been realised and through various avenues the people have clone nobly and willingly a great (leal to succour the soldier. But the. Y.M.C.A. organisation get-s in such close touch with the New Zealand soldier from the time he enters the camp right on to the very entry to the firing line, and afterwards in the rest camps, and hospitals as the soldiers’ life of vicissitudes might he shaped. The Y.M.C.A. is to be found on all the roads the soldier follows, and the trail is often a very long one. The social work done for the men is a service which all who have sons or friends at the front will appreciate, and all who care to help patriotic work of the nature referred to, will gladly do so. This opportunity is to be afforded in due course, ns tin. Mayor is ?o call a meeting during next week to organise a local effort for raising a fund for the object referred to. 'Hie Y.M.C.A initiates all its - works unasked and pursues it with a; practical qigor and interest which commands respect and should receive liberal encouragement to sustain and even to expand the noble duty it is performing. Of the events on the battle fronts, the enemy onrush over northern Italy shows signs of expending itself. It is to lie hoped this is really so, as a little more respite, and the Allies will have hurried up men and munitions to reinforce the broken Italian army to some practical effect. 'Flic situation there is one of some gravity still, and the military position tense as it is, is not being improved by the political feeling displayed in both France and Britain at this juncture. It is on France and Britain that England now depends for military succour to turn defeat and disaster into less devastating channels. Unless the morale of the Italian army is ro-estahlislied, and the people heartened generally, the position in Italy, might easily have a very grave aspect on the future course of the war. If Italy were to favor a premature peace at this juncture the whole effort of the Allies in trying to stem the course of the war for over three years, would go for nought. In this untoward circumstance, the military strength of Italy must be built up with all celerity, and all that help must come chiefly from Franco-Britisli 'sources.. Because .of this it is unfortunate that political issues should be again claiming attention in botli countries, attention which is superior to the interests in the military requirements of the moment. Tt would appear as _

though onco again Germany by insidious efforts wore again controlling the situation by that deep duplicity which is never understood and not discovered till it is too late. The London Daily New s has taken up the business of scaremongering on this occasion, and it is a pity Britain has not the Dictator, the paper is fearful of, who would he strong enough to close up the paper for the time being.

1 The course of events in Palestine as in Mesopotamia continues to shape favor- : ably to tho British. The forces are establishing themselves as well in giving 1 the enemy a good drubbing. Events are being gov»?rnod in the western theatre no doubt by the pall of winter falling upon the theatre. Perhaps, too, the rush of men and material to Ttalv, instead of to Haig’s theatre, where W,h were used in prodigal quantities, ha's had a restraining offeet on the operations, which are minor now, instead of major. The pause will enable tbe British to make their newly expanded front more secure and perhaps somewhat comfortable, in case they have to pass the winter in tho immediate region they now occupy. There Is but little movement chronicled in the Balkan

area, while the Russian news is more confusing than illuminating. The submarine menace has become less exacting, the shorter day light of the waning days being a factor no doubt in the acceptable respite. Statesmen continue to speak for economy in all things. Mr Lloyd George speaks as of yore, and interest will centre in the House of Common s debate on his latest utterance in Paris. Much as the people like the truth, and desire it only, it is hoped the statesmen responsible for the conduct of the war will not be diverted from their main task by a super-fluity of wordy criticism on things to be done. This is a time for deeds not words, and if Britain has not got the best men for the actual job s by this time, it i s a poor look out for a reasonable early conclusion to the war.