Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY MAY 4th, 1918. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY MAY 4th, 1918. THE WEEK.

South Arnica has evidently been passing through a trying time, only the echoes of which have reached us. A crisis such as the present, says a contemporary, when the cause of civilisation is in the balance, is the touchstone which tests the loyalty of men and parties to the true ca.so of liberty. Ireland's so-called “patriots” have been tried in this way, and found wanting, preferring the selfish freedom from obligations that have been cheerfully shared hv other branches of the British Empire to shouldering burdens in the cause of humanity. In South Africa discontented pseudo “Nationalists” have seized upon the imposition of war

duties as a pretext ■ for starting a republican propaganda. Their leader is. Mr Mertzng, a disgruntled Boor, who at orie time had considerable influence over the older, more prejudiced, and more ignorant of the Afrikanders, hut whose 1 star is waning as General Botha’s is Waxing. The benignant, sway of Great Britain and her bestowal of selfgovernment iittoii the South African States have placed the balance of power in the hands of the younger and more enlightened Afrikanders. Each trial of strength shows that the old leaven of

recalcitrancy is posing its potency, and ; the taste of genuine freedom is telling 1 its tale. Slowly but surely the' old , story of the British Empire, oft re- I pented, is being worked out again, j The impossible is happening, pnd the welding of Briton and Boer into one South -African race is proceeding at a visibly .accelerated pace. General Botha’s reproof of Mr Hcrtzog was firm, dignified, kikndl.v, hut resolute, ft was the manly utterance of a former eneniy converted into a true friend—of an enlightened Boer who has become a Eolith African and a loyal subject of the British Bin pi re. Coupled with the reproof, also, was an indication of what would happen if the propaganda wore persisted in. All this, while it had its disquieting influence at one time within the Union, is very cheering reading for those who desire to sec the British Empire strengthened, and hound together with bonds of liberty.

; Ttik report presented by the Confcv- | ence, over which Viscount Bryce pro- , sided, on tlie subject of the composi- • tion of the House of Lords will hardly divert the attention of the nation from matters that vitally affect the safety of tho Empire to the quiet backwater of constitutional reform. Tt remains, however, an extraordinary fact, at which other nations may well ho inclined to marvel, finding in' it fresh evidence of the unintelligihility of the British character, that, at a tune when tlie war has reached its most critical stage. Great Britain still finds opportunity for the consideration of domestic problems and of political reforms, • sueh as that connected with the government of Ireland and the constitution jf the House of Lords, which at any other juncture would he regarded as of overshadowing national importance. Tt is not to be implied, comments an exchange, that the presentation of a weighty report on tlio subject means that, amid all the present distractions, the. Mother of Parliaments is going to cnir ploy Its time just now, upon, or deal conclusively with, even a question intrinsically so important as the composition of the House, of Lords But the progress and continuation of the war have not prevented the Government from laying the train for definite action in respect of this time-honoured and controversial question. Steps were taken by it about tho middle of Inst year to arrange for a conference representative of both Houses of Parliament, and of all political parties, t,o Consider tile problem oi House of Lords reform, and this' conference held /its first sitting over six months ago. The result of its labours is now being made known. As summarised in the cablegrams the scheme of the report is indicated in a wa_v that is too. general to permit of close consideration or examination. But. the recommendations of the conference arc ovideiily of a far-reaching nature. Tt. is of interest to note Lord Bryce’s statement that the whole constitutional, position was surveyed with a view to creating an efficient- Second Chamber, either by modifying the present House of Lords or by constituting prncticnllv a new Second Chamber, and his testimony to the benefit derived by the conference from a study of the existing Second Chambers of foreign countries and of the British dominions. The broad objects of the conference it. is made clear, were (o frame recommendations best- cnTouTat-ed to secure predominance for the “ popular element ” in a reconstructed Second Chamber, while at the same time preserving the historical continuity of the now Chamber with the 'ancient 'House of Lords. Tt. remains yet to he seen what measure of success it has achieved in tackling <a task which bristles with the difficulties attaching to the re-modelling of an historical British institution.

The Dutch Government obviously i„ passing through a very anxious time. Holland is faced with the veiled threat of invasion In' Germany, and in the event of her escaping this danger by conceding Germany’s desires she is fAcsxt with the certainty of the complete bloekakde of her ports by the Allies, the ruin of her trade, the seizure of the greater part of her shipping, and the possible loss of her very important overseas possessions. Holland has proved a good friend to Germany throughout the war. There can he no doubt on this point. Germany lias drawn largely through Holland for food supplies and material necessary for war munitions, and a substantial part of those suupplies has been secured by false pretences and in defiance of restrictions imposed by the Allies. The Allies owe little to Holland, the Germans much. Yet it is quite in keeping with German methods that the German G-'overinnent should now threaten to devastate a country which has rendered it Valuable service, but can do so in the same wav no longer. Since America came into the war and the restrictions on supplies to Holland were drastically curtailed, Dutch merchants and traders have not been able to pass on to Germany anything like the volume of necessaries which meant so much to the German people. Germany, however, now demands supplies of another nature, chiefly gravel, for military purposes, and also makes much ado about, the acquiescence of the Dutcn Government, after forma! protest, in the seizure by America of Dutch shipping. The fact is that the shipping seizure is strictly nennissnble under international law, and Germany of course knows this. But to gain her ends she throws | the onus on the Dutch Government, i Whether is would pay the Central Powers to go the length of adding another active enemy to the already long list of nations arrayed .against them may be open to question, but there is no doubt that their recent successes on the West Front have greatly heartened-the German people, and must have had a marked moral influence on neutral nations. There is perhaps more danger of Holland 'seeking to compromise with German demands than there is of Gerany putting lier threats into effect; hut Holland's position in either case is

fi' precarious one. A victorious Gcr-

a.ny would have few'scruples in satisfy, ing. hef ambitions to control the waterways of the Rhine through Holland and the mouth of the Scheldt. Hplland presumably knows this, and it may stiffen the Dutch Government and might even lead to its going the length of resisting German demands to the extreme of war.

There is again a lull on tho western front. Tho third phase of tho great offensive, which is now in its severity week has ended without the enemy winning the decision it hoped to reach over a month ago. Indeed, the third phase lias been tl|e least valuable of any to the enemy. They have been more definitely field than at any other period. In fact there were signs of the turning of the title. Our gallant troops which have stood up to the giant onslaught so valiantly were rewarded in the end with minor successes which seem to indicate greater possibilities in the near future. With a wily and well organised foe, however, we - must not bo over confident, but for the time bo. ing the outlook is more roseate than it. has been hitherto during the dark times of the past fifty-days. Ono demonstrated fact is the wisdom of the single command on the Western front, and that there was much vittue in the appointment of General Foch, is alike made plain. -Somewhere he has a great army of reserves held in the leash ready for the decisive dash when the military mind believes the time opportune. Those are not phantom hosts now; their existence lias been plainly indicated from time to time, and when the hour strikes they will move forward to victory and conquest. Throughout tlie stress and trial of the anxious days, General Foeli has waited serenely, with the quiet confidence of a determined soldier. If the battle lias been one between the minds of the great leaders, surely the honors of war are with Foch, who has saved his forces and hoarded Ills resources for a more convenient season,

The adjoining electorate is about to enter into the throes of a byo-eleetion. The selected Labor candidate has a wide .reputation, and excels as a public speaker and incisive debater. His qualifications for the seat appear to end there. If we mistake not the gravamen of Labor’s complaint about the conscription of the late member was that being himself a miner it was so essential ho should remain with his expert knowledge to look after the interests of the miners. In the reported address of Mr. Holland there does not appear to lie much suggestion that this is necessary. His grounds for contesting the seat are entirely different. He is an uncompromising opponent of the Government. Ho does not support their war policy, nor does he advance any policy as an alternative by which the war cop Id be won. .His whole criticism is destructive without- ,any Suggestion for remedial measures to take the place of that which he is so roundy condemns. He would oust the Government and replace it J>y n Labour Ministry, but.lie does not disclose what the policy would be in regard to winning the' war. The speech suggests that Mr Holland offers to the Grey electors the choice between New Zealand continuing to do her duty\ as a member of the family of Empire, andof undoing the excellent work already (lone to assist in safeguarding o'itrselves and posterity. It should not lie hard for the electors of Grey to make up their minds on such a clear cut is. sue. In deciding tile question, they should weigh the issue gravely, and answer tho question in the same, spirit of patriotism in which our men are today giving their lives (not their votes), for the salvation of the world at large.

Thk ran did ato opposed to Mr. Holland is Mr T. K Coates, an ex-Mayor of Greynioutli. He is well-known through out the district and we understand lie will stand as an Independent supporting of course the National Goberninent in regard to seeing the war through to a final victory. Mr Coates has an excellent knowledge of the district and a practical understanding of its wants. In personal service lie should make an ideal member. His opponent, if elected, would go into Parliament with a mission against the Government, and is already setting himself an Itinerary to stump New Zealand in a campaign to defeat the Government. Mr Coates will he content, if elected, to mind the business of his electorate, and to cast an intelligent vote in supporting a general policy working for the. common good of the country. Mr Coates will he talked out of sight, probably, by his opponent, hut there are times when even silence is golden, and oratory can he misapplied at times. But,these are not factors which are going to count when the electors visit the ballot box. The issue is going to he a plain one, and the sides will organise aV'cordinglv. Labour taught the political parties a good deal about, organisation. To them the blessed word of solidarity is practiced as .well as preached. But this is not' a "Labor fight in the ordinary sense. If it were, Labour would be entitled to the Grey Seat without any opposition. It is Labour, so called lighting against what is considered best for the nation in regard to the war. Mr Coates will have a large silent following, but it should be no less quietly active and well organised if his following wishes to maintain the truly loyal traditions of the West Coast.

The long overdue appointments to the Upper. House are forecasted, and as if to make amends for the, delay in meting out justice to Westland, in this matter —so long disfranchised—the names of two gentlemen are mentioned for elevation. The war has submerged polities, and for that reason the proposed appointments need not be reviewed, perhaps, jn a strictly political sense.. The joint selection appears to be in the nature of a compromise as it wore, as between the parties in power. It is this. too. in a double sense, apparently, from a district point of view. In the ordinary way both Westland and Grey would he entitled to a separate representative, but G roy at the next, election is to he largely fused into West land, and the Ministry sought to do rather more than one service with a single operation. Be that as it may, the choice in the end will meet with a good deal of approbation. Mr Griminowl by very long public sendee arid an intimate association with public affairs has had an honor thrust upon him well earned. In the case of Mr. Michel he is on the threshold of a political career which long ago might have boon his reward under different circumstances. It is not necessary to recount the circumstances at such a time ns the present. Mr Michel has certain qualifications which must be considered when such an appointment as the- present is at disposal. With regard to both gentlemen there will .he no doubt as to their zeal and Ability to watch over provincial affairs in and out of Parliament. Now that the Government appear to have made up their mind on n course of action it would bo best for all concerned to put the matter through without delay and place the district in a position to have at its disposal a measure of direct representation which it now sadlv lacks.

Our weekly supplement is unavoidably held o/cr to-day.

Nurse Bishop, of Rewa Hospital, Grcyinouth, has received word that her services arc needed for the next hospital ship to leave tho Dominion.

Tho youngest son of Mr Haszard, formerly Commissioner of Crown Lands for "Westland, has been seriously wounded at tho front.

Notice of the annual meeting of the Westland Licensing Committee, to he held on June 7th, at noon, appears in this issue.

A special train will leave Hokitika for Ross on Sunday at 1 p.m., the return leaving Ross at 5 p.m., in connection with the funeral of the late Private Henry Ferguson. Fares, 4s return. Tho members of the local band are requested to meet at tho bandroom to-night at 9 o’clock, for the purpose of having a specinl practice. The band are journeying to Ross to-morrow to assist at the military fuineral.

A young man named Humphrey Shannon had the misfortune to get his, fingers crushed while at work at the Greymouth Dispatch Foundry on Thursday. The third finger of his right hand was subsequently amputated.

A little girl, aged two years, a daughter of Mr John Mundy, Runanga, was severely burned on Wednesday. The little sufferer was removed to tho Grey River Hospital, and is making satisfact. ory progress.

A Social Dance will bo held at tlie Mental Hospital ball on Monday 6th. Music by Mr A. Lawn. A collection will be taken in aid of a gramophone for the patients. Refreshments supplied by the Nurses. A very enjoyable evening is promised.—Advt. in' connection with the fire at Okarito on February 26th, which destroyed the Royal Mail Hotel owned by Mrs A. E. Friend, and two adjoining buildings which she had recently bought, and in which the fire originated, wo have been asked to state that there was no insurance whatever on any of the destroyed buildings,

Gu Tuesday next, commencing at 11 a.m., on tho premises of the Exchange Hotel, Mesrs M. Houston and Co will sell by auction on behalf of Mr "\V. H. Batson, the whole of the furniture, chattels and effects, including two original water colors. Particulars appear in another column.

There was another large attendance at tiie IToiritika District High School Bazaar at the Drill Shed last evening, the hall being a very busy scene of activity for several hours. Practically all the goods were disposed of, a Dutch auction getting buyers for those articles .previously unsold. There was great interest shown in the surprise packet competition, and other competitions. The tyazanr lias proved very successful and should have a substantial profit.

Wanted known, a night out for the children—young nud old—the spectacular pantomime “ The Babes in the Wood,” at Westland Opera 'House, on Tuesday, 7th, Gazette, Travelogue and Comic; good orchestra. Come, and see the Pox Kiddies, Francis Carpenter and Virginia Lee Corbin, in the Fox Film. Rimu motor leaves for McLean’s Pictures Tuesday and Friday evenings.— Advt.

Mr M. Hannan has been re-elected chairman of the Grey Charitable Aid Board. Tho Board has decided to apply for exemption from military service of the Board’s Inspector of Health and Secretary, Mr Jos. Fletcher, who holds both positions named, having been drawn in the last ballot. The chairman (Mr M. Hannan) said they did not know whore to get a replace inspector, and favoured tho Board, as the employer, applying for exemption as had been done in the cose of their medical superintendent

The Grey Charitable Aid Board last year called upon the Grey, Brunner and IRivnanga Borough Councils and the Grey County Council for levies amounting, in all, to £3,566, and it was indicated on Thursday that for the current year similar demands would he made for £4300 odd —an increase over last year of over £BOO. The levies are made on a revaluation basis, and the details of amounts proposed to be levied on oach local body concerned will be submitted to next meeting of the Board, and subsequently to the other local authorities interested. The Labour Ball which eventuated at the. Opera House on Wednesday night was a complete success,.the floor being taxed to its full capacity. The music which-was supplied by Mrs llolling (niano) and Mr Martini (cornet) was of a very high order. >Songs and recitations were rendered by Messrs T. Hogan and M. Fitzgerald. The hall was picturesquely decorated with evergreens and bannerettes bearing the. motto of the Labour Party. The supper which was arranged by the lady supporters of the Party left nothing to be desired. During the evening the President thanked those who had assisted towards the evening’s entertainment, especially the Ladies’ Committee, and gave a pressing invitation to the ladios present to attend to the more serious side of tfio party’s work, and actively participate at all meetings. Mr Fitzgerald (President of the Grey Branch) also delivered a short address, and conveyed fraternal greetings from Greymouth for the success of Ihe Party. Mr IT. Breeze capably carried out the duties of M.C.

If you are in need of a winter coat, call and inspect Mrs «T. Lloyd’s selection which combine quality and low prices. Gooch’s cars leave tho garage at 1.30 p.m. oven,- Saturday for tho Golf links. Advt,. Paterson, Michel and Co., recommend “NO RUBBING” Laundry Help as the best for washing all clothes clean. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. When buying NAZOL—the moneysaving ' remedy for coughs and colds—look for the name NAZOL on the red carton. No cold is NAZOL-proof. For Influenza take Woods’ Great

Peppermint Cure. Never fails. 1/6, 2/6. Head stuffed with coldP Try some inhalations of NAZOL. Penetrating and germ-killing—NAZOL acts like a charm. IsCd buys 60 doses. Use the Nazo] Tubalcr HERE’S RELIEF FOR THAT SORE THROAT! Tho throat becomes easier after the first dose of Baxter’s Lung Preserver. A few more spoonfuls of this warming, soothing remedy—and all tho soreness is completely gonol Heals the strained nerves and tissues of throat, and removes hoarseness. Sufferers from weak throats find “Baxters” a great aid’ in strengthening that organ. The best remedy on the market for coughs, colds, bronchial and chest troubles. A > big ‘2s bottle should be in every home. [