Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, AUGUST 16th, 1919 THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1919, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, AUGUST 16th, 1919 THE WEEK.

'I nkiik was a notable announcement Uus week in regard to the end of coiiscrip- . lion for military service in Now Zea-

land. The notice was purely formal, t

for conscription ceased automatically with the armistice; but the formal notification was now the less necessary to make the situation legally clear. The imposition of conscription was one o f ' the essential steps to winning the war, and it was to tile credit of the National Government that the step was taken. New Zealand did remarkably well with her voluntary force—probably no country better —and although it was essential in the end to legislate

for conscription in order to keep up the strength of the force abroad, the percentage of voluntary service men was far above that of the number which went in under the compulsory clauses of the Military Service Act. Here a word might be said of the fairness, if not the leniency, with which the called up men were treated. The Appeal Boards travelling round the country, dealt patiently and generously with all cases of apparent hardship, and it must be admitted that the Act was enforced with studied consideration for the men called up. The essence of conscription was to bring about a better equality in the sacrifice called from the nation. This principle was worked out on a sliding scale. The single eligible men were in the first ■ class, and then came the married men in sub-classes according to the size of their families. The adjustments under this call were with the military appeal boards, and their administration was on elastic lines by which all cases of apparent hardship had the fullest consideration. The provisions' of the Act were enforced on very reasonable lines, the whole administration reflecting credit upon the National Government.

It is regrettable that the coal conference which had protracted sittings at Wellington, was unable to reach a decision leading up to a workable agreement. The conference at the outset was open to the press which gave the parties the opportunity of ventilating their grievances for public information. In doing so, both strained naturally for effect, and as a result some beat was shown. On the whole, however, the conference passed off hopefully. It was expected that when the parties got into Committee with their heat cooled down, they would deal with the situation in a compromising spirit. A committee of nine members from each side was appointed, and empowered to discuss a complete working agreement on the lines of present agreements, with • such additional matter as the committee may consider necessary. It was hoped with so broad an order of reference, something tangible would result, but the hopeful expectations were not realised—the conference closed abortively. The National Alliance of Labour is now considering the position, which it can be expected will be referred to the Government. The men ask for a Royal Commission to investigate the whole situation of the coalmining industry, and probably this will be conceded in the end. The Board of Trade has gone into the situation very closely and made proposals which might at least have been given a trial. If a TJoval Commission sits the proposals of the Hoard of Trade will come up for review and their strength or weakness disclosed. This will be as well. What the country needs in the coal mining and every other industry is a settled state of affairs so that abnormal conditions will not be arising continunlly and the industrial world dislocated at a time when the country’s whole resources should he used for the betterment of living conditions.

Titeke was an echo of the timber legislation this week in the complaint from the North Island that “millions” of feet of sawn timber were being exported to Australia from tho_ West while parts of New Zealand were un-' dergoing a timber famine. The North Islanders, as usual, were exaggerating about the timber question. Only one steamer has sailed from Grey-mouth for Australia, and she took less than a million feet. What is interesting about the matter, however, is the reply of the Minister of Railways who pointed out to the North Island extremists that every ship bringing coal to New Zealand from Australia might want a back load of cargo, and tint uer was the only commodity going in great bulk from this country 'to Australia. It is clear if the ships have to return empty, the cost of this will be added to the coal cargo, the freight of which would become prohibitive. This would men that Australian coal would have to be abandoned, or the people submit to an exorbitant charge, all of which would assist to increase rather than otherwise, the cost of living. There is the Australian view also to be taken into account. Timber is required over there, and as a quid pro quo for coal supplied it would not be unreasonable to ask for timber, load for load. Prohibitory measures are always dangerous, in that they tenet to recoil in some direction, and while a certain degree of relief might be given in one quarter, there is a direct loss in another. Tins is what will happen in regard to the timber legislation if its restrictive sections arc rnpidlv ~enforced, and the result promises to be felt worse in New Zealand than elsewhere. Theory s all very well, but unless it is applied with a statesmanlike regard for actualities, it can have very bad effect, and that is what threatens the Coast just now.

Another move is being made by the Chamber of Commerce towards urging the Government to establish a Minister of Industries and Commerce, who will devote his whole time to the furtherance of industry and commerce. In the Cabinet already there is a Minister who has charge of the Department, but his hands are full, also, with other portfolios, and tlie result is that the branch of the public administration is represented largely in name. The move now is to avoid this duplication of offices, and that the Min ister shall centre his work solely on the interests of his Depatmeut. The commercial war now! being entered upon calls for attention no less keen on the part of tiro country, than the determination with which it fought through the military conflict. There might he a difficulty in having added to a Cabinet already rather large for the population, a Minister specially devoted to the commercial side of our life, hut it should be possible to establish an Export Department, with business men at the head of affairs to direct and control tho organisation of

industry find commerce throughout tho Dominion. An efficient department on j broad lines might do a great deal to end the industrial unrest which per' vades the country, also. In the late war when the winning of the conflict. I called for the highest efficiency in lie ! management of the industries, a ciyil- | inn Hoard was set up which rendered i important services. Such a Board i with larger and more direct powers | might still be utilised to carry on the

work of national organisation on the lines then begun. If the desired reform came along these lines, we believe it would be niore in keeping with tlie real requirements of the country's needs.

There was an interesting cable item yesterday referring to the Dominion generals who had not been recognised by the British War Office and Parliament with special emoluments. It will be recalled that General Birdwood (the Soul of Anzac) was included in the list approved and provided for by the British House of Commons, but some remarks have been passed on the differential treatment accorded the officer compared with other British generals. In the case of the oversea commanders who saw the war through, and did not gain pecuniary recognition at Home, the War Office has intimated that it would like to do so, but did not desire to affront the colonial governments. This is a nice way of putting it, and the Doniinon Parliaments cannot fail to respond to such an insinuating invitation. The colonial generals specially selected are Generals Monasli (Australia), Russell (New Zealand), and Currie (Canada), and no doubt. ;imi- the Governments concerned will confer and probably act in consort, so that no invidious comparisons might he made. General Russell has been described as the soul of the New Zealanders, and he is held by the soldiers in Tery affectionate esteem. The Diggers will be glad to see the New Zeainnd Government do the handsome act to their popular General. By the way, General Russell is to he a candidate for parliamentary honors, and if he were disposed to lead a fusion party, which is so often spoken of, lie would he sur c to secure a substantial following.

The information disclosed at the Repatriation Committee yesterday indicates that the Department appointed to deal will the discharged soldiers is giving the work very commendable attention. The figures mentioned yesterday show that both locally and in regard to the Dominion, large sums are being loaned out to give the men a start in life. Fur the five months the Department is in running order, some remarkable totals are shown. To deal so quickly with the routine work involved, indicates that commendable celerity is being shown. The work in this and other Departments affecting the soldiers show that the country is bent on doing all it can for the men. As Lieut Frockleton Y.C.,' put it in Christchurch, recently, the machinery is there to help in all genuine cases, if the men will he reasonable in their applications, 'and none nee<7 go away dissatisfied. There is a difficulty, of course, about light employment, or any ready employment for a large number of men at- short notice, but this will be overcome as the season progresses, and in the interim there is relief available hv way of sustenance for men out of employment. Special instructions have been issued lately with regard to men having a recurrence of any war disability, free hospital treatment and pension allowances are being provided for. This is highly proper and commendable for recurrent cases of illness from war injuries or complaints are certain to arise, and the State is tnkng tin right course in liberalising its scheme of treatment. '