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Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1918, Page 2

Tiikiik is much mystery about the probable entry of Japan into the Asiatic military , combat. Japan appears to he ready and willing, and some of the Allies most anxious that Japan should participate. On the other hand Britain and the United States, tlm mainstays of the Entente, are not regarding the proposal with any show of enthusiasm. From a general survey of the position '"brought about by the Russian disruption it is much to he regretted that Japan was not in the land conflict months ago. Japan lias done very excellent naval work in ’ the Pacific and Tasman Oceans. New Zealand has been much beholden lo the Japanese Navy for

necessafry ‘convoy assistance, ■ and Japan Ims been fully trusted, and nob trusted in vain. There is an element of rloii I it and mistrust about Japanese intervention in Siberia, judging by the candid eoniment of the American press. Japan may be stipulating some international conditions not hitherto enjoyed by her people iri British and American territories, or there may be some reluctance in commencing military operations in "Russian territory without the consent of Russia. ' Unfortunately Russia has no stable authority at flip moment to say yea or. nay. and in these circumstances the Entente must he prepared to take such ■ diplomatic action as the. circumstances . warrant. No doubt the niceties of the | situation are being carefully weighed j mid the difficulty in arriving at a , prompt decision suggest the com- ! ilexity of the position. Tn any case lap an seems destined to have a very nia-

tonal say in all military matters affecting the major situation in Asia.

The Charitable Aid Hoard at its meeting on Tuesday night had its attention turned onco again to the state of the buildings at Westland Hospital. A rebuilding scheme in brick on modern lines'has been in hand for some years, but matters have been at a standstill for a long time past now. On behalf of the Government, Ministers have made profuse promises from time to time, and to their discredit be it said, they have failed to fulfill them in any respect. Ministers often disclose their bleeding hearts for the sick and suffering, but as far as Westland Hospital affairs are concerned, the sympathetic utterances have been all fudge. Their remarks hart been quite insincere for not in anyone particular have they attempted to show by deeds that their words were genuine. This condemnation applies with equal effect to Liberal, Reform and National Governments. The local matter has been before the three forms of Government, and in not any case have the fair words in letters, telegrams and to deputations been hacked up by just actions. Yet withal these Ministerial promises, the hoarded money for the local quota of contribution, the ory ing need for attention to the insanitary buildings and the health of the un fortunate inmates, goes unattended. Tf Ministers were at all zealous for their public reputations, they would see this sweeping reproach promptly removed. The Board rather than waste funds on temporary wooden structures, should again bombard the Cabinet. They should do it. too. in an aggressive manner plainly Indicating that the chicanery of the past, will not he tolerated further.