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

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1920, Page 2

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

The state of Ireland is the most momentous, as it is the most deplorable event of the week. At this distance it is difficult to guage the situation. The events are really appalling, and the end is not yet in sight, lord French has reviewed the situation with some clearness. He very sanely said, that assuming that the present Home Rule Bill is bad, nobody was offering a constructive alternative. At the same time the House of Commons approved the bill by a sweeping majority. Behind Sinn Fein there appears to be an excellent organisation of the extreme kind. According to Lord French the authors of some of the most evil of the deeds done in the name of Sinn Fein, are known, and in that circumstance it appears strange that the people arc not brought to account. The financing of the rebel movement appears to he known also, and here again it is a c ase for wonderment that those who are assisting with the secret motive power for all the nefarious acts, are not- made 'to account f!or their interest in a movement which is against public interests. Lord French says England does not understand Ireland. Perhaps it might be said equally truly that the Irish do not understand themselves, the Irish convention failed to come to an agreement at a time when the way was left open to them to agree. 'Even now with Lord French an avowed Home Ruler, there is not a genuine move among the Irish people to accept Home 'Rule as offered. If accepted it could be quickly extended once the sincerity of the people were made manifest. Till then, political peace in Ireland appears destined to bo postponed.

Tiie advance of the French forces into German territory fippears on the face of it to bo a very proper show of authority—and only by that way will the recalcitrant. Germans be brought to a .sense of the position. The Allies appear to be falling out among themselves and the Germans are taking advantage of the disagreements. The United States attempts to override tho considered judgment of the Allies, despite the fact that America is outside the pact of peace. Now we have France acting alone, with Britain and Italy aloof. France has every renson to distrust the Germans, and every need to secure the position for the future. The Germans have too much' 'armament available and too many men under the colors for the security of the French peace. Now is the time for France to take action, and not later when blood spilling would be necessary to ensure peace. It can hardly be considered a surprise advance on the part of France as the event has been forecasted for some time. The French may be expected to act with circumspection, but as the French press are saying, “the Prussian militarists merit a stern snub.” Tlie Allies have been threatening for so long, and in the end compromising, that a little firm action now is to be commended. It is the safest way to ensure peace, to prepare for war. The advance is in itself an apparent act of war, and to that extent is a, warning to the Germans what to expect if they do not conform to the treaty conditions with some regard for what is at least reasonable action.

The Westland Patriotic Fund continues to prove of special service to the soldiers and dependents for whom it was 1 created. At the 'Returned Soldiers gathering this week, the lion. Secretary gave some interesting figures relating to the financial year inst closed. During the period the fund showed receipts to the amount of £4.324. while the expenditure was £4 2251, leaving a credit balance of GDI). The nrineinai item of revenue was payments from the National War Funds Council to the amount of £2 000. In addition there was repaid to the fund, tho sum of £1,385, being

refunds on temporary advances. On the expenditure side in relief to soldiers and dependents, £1,749 was paid out for the year, while temporary advances to soldiers reached £2,436. The administrative expenses were £4O, or | less than one per cent of the expenditure. It is very pleasing to notice the substantial amount of repayments from the soldiers, practically equal to fifty per cent of the advances, and it is understood this is as good a record as any in the Dominion. The advances now outstanding total £1,532, so that it will be seen that the accommodation granted from the fund must be useful to the men in helping them with various enterprises or in tiding over little ! difficulties. The volume of the tvirn over by the local Society discloses the wisdom .shewn in associating the money raised 1 here with the National War Funds. The Society is able to obtain the credit it desires with regard to relief and assistance to the men, and those carrying on the good work on behalf of the men are to be congratulated on the success which has attended their forethought in the matter. The fund is thus in the way of being kept .sound’ while calls are being made upon it.

matter referred to at the •Returned Soldiers’ function on Wednes- j day night was the repatriation work now being carried on by the Govern- | ment. This was generally praised and attention was drawn’to the “after-care” j branch" now being inaugurated in respect to men who are known to be tubercular or suffering from other complaints, or who breakdown from nerves or other causes after returning to citizen life and duties. This seems to be | a specially wise step to take, and , the soldiers and public alike will he grateful for so practical a. task being undertaken in the broad spirit it is. Another aspect of repatriation work, is the opening for the men in regard to educational training, the learning of trades etc., in preference to returning to laborious duties. Many men are not proving lit to go back to the class

of hard work they followed prior to enlistment, and lighter occupations can be followed according to their -own choice of tasks. The Department' assists with subsidies in relation to wages or fees, or purchase of text books, and the man who cares to improve himself and is willing to apply himself accordingly, has the opening to do so. Notmany men from these parts are availing themselves of this proper opening, but now is the time to make a move. There is room in the markets of the world for food and tradesmen, and the knowledge ,so fancied is easily carried It is for the men to decide for themselves with the facts before them. Certainly the Government deserves credit for this useful branch attached to the repatriation scheme.

Thk Westland Racing Club, unfortunate with the weather on the day set down for its autumn meeting, wisely postponed till the following day, and Thursday proved an ideal day -for the outing. The meeting passed off very successfully from every point of view'. The gathering was a very pleasant one, and there was naught to mar the progress of the day’s events. The visitors from all parts were numerous, and the Club appears to maintain its popularity with the sporting public. The fields were good and the racing very interesting. The meeting ran with the usual smoothness, all departments of the meeting being well officered, and so the management left nothing to he desired. The course and grounds were greatly admired l>y numerous visitors, several 1 of whom made their first acquaintance with the local racecourse. The visiting stipendiary official expressed, personal satisfaction at the completeness of the appointments, and congratulated the local officials on the well-appointed course and the completo equipment for carrying out both racing and trotting. The Club with a one day meeting cannot make much profit under the most favourable conditions, and the time appears to be opportune to restore the deducted day. The Club certainly caters for its patrons very liberally, and the public are well cared for. Some of the officials are putting forward suggestions to make the local meetings moio democratic still, and doubtless these ideas will have consideration m due courso. For the moment the Club is to he congratulated on its recent success.