Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1918, Page 2

'j This week we are receiving tlio results of the British general elections I held a fortnight ago. The counting of V the voting was cleferred to givo tima for the soldiers’ votes to be recorded on active service and the papers sent to England. It is generally expected that the Coalition party, the fusion of the Liberal, Conservative and Labour is roughly constituting the National Ministry at present in power, will be returned with a large working majority. It is realised that Labour as a separate entity will gain a number of seats and be rather more than a neglible party in future. Indeed, the party is counting on being strong enough to range as the official Opposition. It is expected that the Irish Nationalists will be a diminished party, but Sinn Fciners will make up the deficiency. There will be also the unattached Liberals and Unionists, who will include some prominent names. Mr Lloyd George appealed to the country in order tint he might he fortified with the peoples’ backing at tho coming Peace Congress.. The appeal was made to the country on the most democratic franchise the United Kingdom has over enjoyed. But Tho Prime Minister wanted a backing for other than influence at the peace settlement. Ho is pledged to bring down a. great domestic programme of national interest and tho new parlia- | ment will be more the peoples’ will than 1 1 any assembly, yet. brought together. With the need for the Prime Minister’s mind being attached so much to the conduct of tho war, gone, Mr Lloyd George can turn his mind wlicr o hie heart is ever to the welfare of -the people—and some striking national legislation may bo looked for. The arrival of tho French Mission in Now Zealand is an interesting event

connected with the war which will give those who arc fortunate in meeting General Pan and his associates, great pleasure. The party left Franco long before tho end of the war was in sight. Their object was to thank the distant parts of the British Empire, for their help in the war, and probably, also, to assist in stimulating recruiting in Australia. The fortunate, ending of the war spared ’he Mission the latter task, and so, very discreetly nothing has been said under ,that heading. General Pau is himself a distinguished soldier who has been maimed in the service in the present war and so great a soldier would hardly have been spared in the thick of the fight, just to say “thank you.” Tno ending of the war avoided the necessity of the more delicate duties of recruiting and so we find this peaceful Mission devoting its time to the arts of peace,by endeavouring to promote industrial union with the countries visited. France will bo glad of all the trade and commerce she can get to help build up her damaged fortunes and trading relations with tho rich British Empire will be specially welcomed. In the formal gathering at Auckland, Genera Pau spoke appreciateively of the splendid services of the New Zealanders. They were no mere commonplace remarks which were made, because tno New Zealand Division in France lias gained a reputation second to none on tho Western front. Tho compliments from General Pau wer© none tho less acceptable coming as they did from so gallant and distinguished a soldier of France.