Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, JANUARY 10th, 1920 THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, JANUARY 10th, 1920 THE WEEK.

Many people have sought to discover a remedy for the industrial unrest, the high price of living, and the other varied ills which afflict us nowadays; the latest is Mr F. Lock, whose panacea is to be found in “The Nationalisation of Credit.’’ Sound finance is the first and foremost need, and finance cannot be sound under our present system. Mr Lock regards the gold standard of currency as inherently vicious; he would not merely demonetise gold hut get rid of it altogether, ns far as possible. Individuals would be allowed to have gold ornaments and jewellery in quantities limited by statute, and manufacturers and jewellers would be licensed to • hold a specified amount for trade purposes only. Mining companies would Ih» permitted to produce gold ip certain purposes under Government supervision, but save in these cases it would be a pcnaj offence to have any gold at all. Those who were lucky or unlucky enough, to possess any gold at the date of the enactment would be compelled either to export it or hand it over to the Government in exchange for paper money, which the Government can issue up to any amount. Mr Lock claims that this reform is “great but simple.” It is certainly the latter. The value of the Russian paper rouble today shows what can be done by an industrious printing press.

TriE contemplated visit of the Prince of Wales is causing a stir in the overseas countries to he included in the (tour. Commenting on tho visit in question the Sydney Morning Herald of a recent date goes one to say that Australians will hail with iinmixed satisfaction the announcement that the Prince of Wales is to continue his travels round the Empire and will visit the Commonwealth next year. The Prince can count upon a welcome a>s warm and spontaneous as that with which he met in Canada and America, We wi I) greet him both for his own sake and for that °f his father. And although he has never been in Australia before he will not come as an entire stranger. Our soldiers knew him in France and Egypt, and declare that he is “a real good sport,” which is perhaps the highest compliment that an Australian c<"i bestow. In thus following Ills father’s example the Prince is maintaining an excellent tradition; it is surely only right and proper that the j heir to the throne should have a first- !

hand acquaintance with his far-flung domains. Of course, there have been times in the history of England when those royal tours would have been embarrassing for guest and hosts alike; we can imagine, for instance, that if a son of George 111, had visited. America just before the War of Independence he would havo had a mixed reception. But it is different in the commonwealth of nations which forms the British Empire to-day; a son of George V. is assured in advance of our heartfelt loyalty and devotion. The present King occupies a peculiar place in the affections of ■ Australia, because apart from the fact ■that he understands the problems and aspirations of his oversea dominions as no king has ever done, by opening the first 'Commonwealth Parliament, ho so to speak, presided at our national coming of age. We extend to the son the cordial goodwill which we feel for the father. It is sometimes said that, the institution of monarchy is obsolete, but there is

no sign of this as far as the' British Empire is concerned. In constitutional monarchy the British have evolved a form of government which is particularly suited to their temperament and ideas. It satisfies their instinct for democracy, it preserves and crystallises a great tradition which they would not ( willingly lerfc die. In this “crowned republic,’ ’ as Britain has often been called, the Crown is a symbol. But it is something besides. Although the powers of the King are limited, his opportunities for influence in personal and indirect ways are immense. The King is remote from party or politics; lie has no axe to grind; his motives are disinterested ; he speaks for no class but for the people as a whole. The result is to endow him with an authority which , is none the less real because it is moral rather than constitutional. Everyone knows how much the tact and urbanity of Edward VII did to preserve the peace of Europe and to promote the entente between France and Great Britain. It is within recent memory how effective

was King George’s interposition . in some of the strikes during the war. Other thrones have commanded devotion, but few have commanded such genuine affection. In Germany, for instance, it was the office rather than the man that claimed the subject’s regard. In {Britain it is both the office and the man, and no one who remembers the spontaneous grief of the nation at Edward’s death or! the angiety felt after King George’s accident in France early in the war can doubt that the British King is firmly established in the hearts of his 1 people.

The war put monarchy to a .severe test-; the fate of a, throne was decided by the character of its occupant. In Britain and Belgium the royal family emerged with increased popularity and pres tige. In the Central Powers the reigning dynasties were swept away and the one which had made the greatest pretensions played the most undignified role. Tlie deposition of "William 11., Charles, and Ferdinand was not due merely to the exasperation of defeat; if these monarchs had been really close to their people the latter would have remained loyal to them, even in adversity. But there was no personal tie; between ruler and subject was an unbridgeable gap. It was not so in Belgium arid Britain. Albert, a king without a country, when all seemed lost save honour, placed himself at the head of his people and unfalteringly led them to victory. In Britain the Royal Family identified itself absolutely with the people. No sacrifice was asked of the nation to which it did not itself submit. The King might not take the

field, but he sent ms sons m-ucm. royal menage set Britons an example in temperance and simplicity of life; rationing began in the King’s household. Sympathy and practical aid from the Royal Family were never lacking, and many a stricken mother remembers with undying gratitude the consolations of the Queen who, too was a mother, and who too, had her boys at the front. The contrast is' instructive; tlie British King and his son are greeted with demonstrations of unparalleled enthusiasm wherever they go, and the former German Emperor and his son skulk in exile after an ignominious flight. Australasia will welcome the Prince of Wales both for himself and for what he represents. He is the outward and visible sign of the great Empire to which we belong, the embodiment of that concept to which we owe allegiance, tlie link which binds the do. minions together in their new won nationhood. On all these counts lie is ■one whom Australasia delighteth 1° honour.

Thu Westland Chamber of Commerce has done the district excellent service dry its action in securing the cinematograph views of Westland for exhibition in the Dominion and abroad. During the current week the first part of the scenic has been on exhibition in Christchurch, and has been applauded greatly. The “iLytteiton Times in commenting on the exhibition of the 'picture in Christchurch goes on to say that it has been stated often that New Zealanders do not know enough about their own country; that they do not realise the wonderfuf gifts of nature with which their country is richly endowed, and that it is mo-stly oyoj seas tourists who visit and appreciate the many beauty spots Which are hidden away in the remote corners of both Islands. With this preliminary the paper goes on to sav that the “Tour Through Westland” then being exhibited in Christchurch is considered the finest specimen of scenic photography taken in New Zealand. It speaks of the beautiful and wonderful scenes of Westland depicted on the screen, and points

out that the beauty spots are easy ot access, yet unfamiliar to the great body of the people of Canterbury. I'liis is very true, and the local Chamber lias done a great service in the fine advertisemnt displayd nightly in Christchurch to attract more visitors Coastwards. If only flu* Otira ‘funnel were an accomplished fact what a stream of visitors there would be to Nature’s wonderland in Westland! It is understood that the picture is to be shown further afield now. Mr Seddon is arranging for a public exhibition in Wellington, and sessions will be arranged for in the other of the chief centres of the Dominion. The action *of the WestJsind Chamber of Commerce in this matter is to be commended from evor v point of view as the advertisement will be one of the best the district has received abroad.

j The holidays close with this week eiu and it may be said at once that tli< festive season has been vigorously observed. In this little corner of th< ' country there has been no lack of patronage to everything provided for the entertainment- of the public. What lint happened here—-crowds everywhere—has been a pocket edition of what transpired elsewhere. Tn other parts of the country the same report is being made. Crowded trains, steamers, coaches, hotels have all been run at liigh pressure to accommodate the people holiday making. There have been and are complaints about the high cost of living, but no outward and visible signs that the folk have to deny themselves in con-sequence. Money appears to have been very plentiful, and record takings appear to be recorded generally. The public have had a. good fling: at pleasure making, and it is hoped now that the long year is ahead, they will settle

down to work. The good times cannot go on indefinitely—nor is it good for 'ns that they should. We have got to be mindful of the day of reckoning and instead of wastefulness, the people should cultivate thrift. Those who study the financial barometer of the world, toll us that there are stringent times ahead. Money will be scarcer and therefore dearer. If that comes to pass, the frolic .must oea.se, for production will be the only way to meet “tlie position. There must bo more earning power to meet the newer conditions. Perhaps to some extent we have been living in a deceptive paradise. Things perhaps have not- been whal they seemed. AVith tlie reckoning time will come the reality of tilings, anc in those earnest days which have to b< faced, tlie nation requires to he reso lute in its determination to meet ai (overcome its peculiar difficulties. I is high time, therefore to settle dowi in sober earnestness, and to set abou putting our house in order for tin difficult periods ahead.