Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, APRIL 17th, 1920. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, APRIL 17th, 1920. THE WEEK.

Durino the week the lists for the Westland War Memorial opened, and judging by the announcements to date an auspicious beginning lias been made. Tho task is to raise £ISOO by gunday week, Anzac Day. That commemoration will he a, real reminder of why a permanent memorial should be reared to the fallen. To-day is published the draft list of the nanies of the Westland men who fell. Readers jvill find it moving reading, for who will not find the familiar names who have gone hence in the prime of life—laid down their lives that others may enjoy the freedom we do to-day. In a very short time the Prince of Wales will be here and all will be gaiety and rejoicing At present he is speeding across the Pacific Ocean in one of Britain’s bulwarks. But had it not been for the sacrifices in the war, for “the bravo that are no more,” the Prince and his entourage could not travel abroad today and could not roam the high seas at liberty. Hie success in the war lias rendered a notable visit possible, and in conjunction herewith gives to us liberty of action and social freedom which had the war ■ gone amiss would have been a very precious privilege which would now be missing. It seems to be a peculiar duty* now to rear amemorial to the fallen. The names recorded in this issue recall many old friendships, and who would not wish to be associated in rearing a monument to their memory. The town and district can add to its credit greatly by doing the right thing spontaneously in this matter.

The local branch of the Returned Soldiers Association is being re-established on enthusiastic lines. Under the new management it is showing signs of life which tlie puiblie will bo glad to see. The public haye the keenest desire to help the men, and if they but show a disposition to held) themselves, they will have the people with them in any well directed object requiring assistance. Just now the local branch is taking an intimate interest in the commemoration of Anzac Day. The Headquarters Association has laid down a form of service to mark the fallen in the war, and it is well that this service (should be aiwi'ualty recurring. The landing at Gallipoli marked the real entiy of the colonials into the war, and the nobility of the sacrifice, and the splendid bearing of the men, in the face of the ordeal they had to face, set up a standard which was emulated throughout the war by the colonials who came after. The traditions which the New Zoaland soldiery gave to our history will never pass out of memory. The deeds done in the Great War will bo recalled always, and we jof this generation so close to the great episodes in our enjoyment of the victories won have a special duty to perform to record in a last memorial the names of the men and women who fell for freedom’s cauisp. I’ll ere are over 120 names on the local list already. This will grow probably to 150 names, which will he so many reason's why tho people should hasten to associate I themselves with the movement to honor the memory of the fallen.

Tire deplorable condition of affairs in Ireland lias passed through anotlier stage. During tlie week, tlie cable news has been charged with incidents in and about the Dublin prison where the alleged Sinn Fein offenders have been hunger-striking. The hungerstrike was maintained with marked perinstance, and the condition of tlio im-

irisoned men has aroused great feeling n Ireland. The proceedings at Mount ; Toy have overshadowed other events in [reland,, and during the week fortunately there lias been no reports of fur- , her murders or incendiarism. The authorities at Dublin Castle maintainsd a firm attitude for a. time, and the strong position was shown by the Government in the Commons, also. Ul- j timately it was announced officially

that the imprisoned men whose lives were considered in jeopardy by the starvation methods followed were to be released. This clemency has afforded relief and ended the railway and other strikes which were commenced as a protest against the authorities for refusing to release the sufferers in prison. The new position may have the effect of bringing about a better state of mind among the recalcitrants who hitherto would not be reasonable in their attitude towards constitutional authority. The gravity of the situation in Ireland is to be deplored from every point of view. The whole Empire desires to see a satisfactory outcome to the position and apparently that can be hoped for only if both sides—or are there three sides—each concede something to the general situation.

Mr Edie’s election for Bruce is more significant than appeared on the face o; it. On the eve of the election the Re form press looked hopefully for th< return of Mr Begg by “a comfortabh majority.”;lt was stated that Mr Begg had won general admiration for hi lucid common-sense views, and is mud ahead of the Liberal candidate in th matter of oratory. Mr Edie had r been much in evidence in addressin public meetings, relying on his previou record. Sectarianism in the preseii contest had not been introduced, an personalities have been conspicuous b their absence. In the end Mr Edie pr< vailed, so that his victory judging b the Reform estimate in advance ws more substantial than it appeared c the surface. As already intimated Reformer more or less in the House ; • present is not of vital importance the Government, but an additional I j beral will be welcomed by the Oppc i tion ranks which is in need of strengt , ening. ’Mr Edie will follow in the foo

steps of Sir James Allen and the new member for Bruce will have a difficult role to play in that respect. Judging by his local record and the position he c-ained by running Sir James Allen so close after the latter’s 30 years representation, Mr Edie is not without talents and promise. It is interesting to record that Mr Edie is at present, and has been for many years past, engineer and clerk to the Taupeka County Council, and is widely and popularly known in that area of the now extensive Bru c e 5 electorate, which also includes portions of the extinct' Taieri constituency up to Middiemarch. He has long been as- ■ sociated with the Taupeka districts, and was in the early days engaged in • mining and subsequently in farming. Ho is a strong supporter of the Prohi'bition movement.

The threatened breach between Britain and France has been happily repaired, ■’ and relations may be said to be ba i normal. Any break in harmonious relations between Britain and France, comments the Dominion, is a tb

both countries are supremely interested in averting, not merely for their own sakes, but for the sake of the world’s peace. All the more since the Un't States has reverted to ostrich tactics, the firm friendship of Britain and France is a vital condition of worldwelfare and of steady progress in establishing a better international order than obtained before the war, or, for that matter obtains to-day. The questions of detail raised in the present controversy are inconsiderable in comparison with the ultimate issues involved. How far the French view, or the British view, is to prevail matters, in itself, comparatively little, but it would be an unspeakable calamity if the two nations which have endured and accomplished so much in loyal comradeship wore now to fall part in anger and distrust. It may be hoped that the representatives fo both Franco and Britain will conduct the deliberations in which they are now engaged with a

clear perception of the fact that any serious misunderstanding between tne two countries at this stage would go far to destroy the hopes that have been raised of establishing a League of Nations on a secure foundation, and “organising the world for peace.” The overshadowing thought at this time must b.e that if France and Britain failed to agree and work together in harmony it would he futile to talk about, stilling the clamour of hostile nationalities and adjusting their differences in accordance with justice and common sense. Fortunately, and ill spite of the jubilation of the Germans over their alleged success in ‘ driving a wedge into the Entente,” there doe*not appear to be any insuperable obstacle to settling the present difficnltj in a manner satisfactory alike to Fiance and Britain, and taking measures to prevent the recurrence of any similar difficulty.