Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30th., 1920. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30th., 1920. THE WEEK.

Thu decision to inter the body of ap unknown British soldier who fell in Franco on the occasion of the Great War in Westminster Abbey on Armistice Day anniversary, is one that will commend itself to the nation. It is a fitting tribute to the military sacrifice which had to !>e made for the defence of the nation, for for long decades past Westminster Abbey has been the final resting place of the great and noble of our race. There are many hallowed spots about the chapels within the •Abbey and the daily stream of reverent visitors to the edifice which is so much the pride of the nation, is a tribute to our noble dead. The ceremonial of the interment of this unknown soldier who died in France is to be made specially imposing. The fullest honors nro to be paid to the remains of one who fell fighting for King and Country, The King in person is to attend the obsequies as chief mourner, while the country itself will be represented by its great soldiers and sailors to pay respect to the honored dead. It will be a solemn and memorable occasion and recall the relief the world felt when on November 11th., 1918, the guns ceased their devastation, and the human sacrifice was at an end.

'J’ffE great strike of coal miners at Home has been handled with commendable effect throughout the week. The occasion produced a. crisis which carried far reaching effects in its train. Fortunately, the men were well led and now has come the news of a strike settlement. Matters had an ugly look tvjhen the rail way men threatened to join the coal miners, and in this con- ! nection too much praise cannot be given :to Mr Thomas MIL, for the courageous ' stand he took in advising the men to 'stay their action. Mr Thomas at the ' most critical juncture placed country ■ before self, and his action must have made a great impression on his party I The strike was never popular and could not have succeeded, but it would have thrown the United Kingdom into ter- | rible disorganisation, with unknown conditions to follow. The Prime Minister (Mr Lloyd George) kept a .tight rein on the situation, and was in close conference with those concerned rliroughout. flic Premier was reasonable and conciliatory throughout. Let , us hope the new adjustment will lead ,to a permanent settlement, and to a i hotter understanding all round. There is need for it surely in Great Britain to-day.

Tun Irish question by reason of the events which mark Irish affairs day by day is never out of mind. It is a sad commentary on our so-enllea advanced civilisation that murder and wrongdoing for the purpose of -enthroning might over right, should be so fashionable to-day. Even those occupying the seats of the mighty when they take sides on Irish affairs condone by their words and actions all that is passing in Ireland* to-day. When those charged with wrong doing seek further to defy the law and magnify their opposition to the forces of right by starvation methods, and fall victims to their own inclinations, the genesis of the trouble is overlooked in the sympathy meted out to the self made victims. Their sacrifice is praised, and not one word of regret is expressed for the actions which brought the folk within the pale of the law. Murder goes uncondemncd. Violence is not questioned. Th e whole febJrißc of community government is violated, and not one word of protect comes from those whose influence exercised might he the greatest deterrent of all to the orgy of crime and bloodshed now reigning in Ireland. Truly

I it is a mad world at times, and human * nature talkes some strange twists in I asserting itself. | Russia’s plight appears to grow more I desperate as time rolls on. Actually ] however, th e Lenin authority has ruled | rather longer than it might have been I expected to do. The present winter | will b 0 a sore trial in many quarters of 'RuSsifci. Lenin’s latest announcement shows that in Moscow and other workers’ centres, the people are a.bsolutely starving. As the winter advances the plight will grow morte terrible. Lenin in endeavouring to force food from the peasants, who*in I turn will be left at starvation’s door. 1 The dictator of Russia is forcing his will with firm purpose, and all opposed to the Republic. ar e sent to concentration camps—no doubt robbed of all they possess—and punished, doubtless corporally. Truly, the last state of Russia is worse than the first. The Russian people made a sad exchange when they gave up Czardom with all its failings for the horrors of life they now have to face. At least before they had food and a. degree of freedom which was liberty indeed to what they now ma.y have, for at present they have neither food nor freedom and are a goaded people who must be dying by thousands week by week. So much for Bolshevism.

The cable news on the subject of* the presidential campaign in U.S.A shows that the fight—now nearing its end—is warming up. The Republicans are counting on the victory of Mr Harding as a promising certainty. Mr Wilson the retiring President, is busy putting the plain issue of the contest before the people, and he has all the best of the argument—from an outsiders’ point of view'. Mr Wilson at last realises v'here America stands in relation to the ratification of the Peac c Treaty, and he emphasises it in plain and convincing lan_ guage. He makes an appeal to the spirit of tli6 nation, .and it remains to be seen what w r eight that appeal is going to carry. Mr Wilson entered the war tardily. At the time ok the last presidential election he was vague and indefinite ns to what he purposed doing, but once elected he allowed himself to be moved by the force of public opinion, and lpd America into the war with all the nobility of speech he has at his command. He is trying now r in the same way to save America from herself, and m this contest to win the nation back to the iMilitical line of action which will save her good name now' and always, w'ith the outside w'orld which expects tin) United States to do the right thing.

If Parliament is to finish in a week’s time as is generally believed it will, it mst keep very busy for the few days available. During this week 'bills and morq bills were brought down, and there are still more to come. The usual hasty crop of legislation wilt result.. The Public Works Statement has been well received, though there are comments that Mr Coates’ concentration scheme is not manifested as fully as it might be. As regards the Estimates this locality has little to complain of. There is more money provided for them than can he spent in the time available, so that if a good showing is to be made local bodies as well as the Department itself must create a concentration schome ,and put forward an effort to give the district the roads and bridges required for settlement and development. Parliament put through an amendment to the Mining Act, but the legitimate claims of the gold producers for participation in the subsidies the Government so readily provide for other industries were not recognised. There remains now the only course of appealing to Caesar in person when Mr Massey, Minister of Mines visits the district in the New Year.

It would come as a surprise to most people to find that the Tipper House during the week restored the deleted clauses in the Gaining Bill relating to the increase of totnlisator permits for country racing and trotting clubs. This is evidence of the real strength of the Government, or else is a, demonstration of the astuteness of th«j Leader of the Upper House. Whatever the decid ing factor, the result is a fair measure of treatment for the sport-loving public in communities not amply served at present with the permits. Tn the alternative, there would'have been a redistribution of existing permits, and that would have hit many,old clubs very badly. It would have been unfair in every way. Saved from that course now the the exrra permits will apply only to those districts which can make out a reasonably good case for consideration. Location and population will be the two main considerations, which will moan that the principal increases will be added to the North Island where in many new districts not served with local clubs, population has increased and justified that public should he further entered for.

Thk decision of t,lie Government this week to introduce a concession in telegraph rates commencing on Monday, seems to be rather a confession that the revenue from the late increase in tariff is not coming up to expectations. From the first it was urged all round the Dominion that it was a mistake to raise the rate, 3ind from all accounts the falling off in the volume of business demonstrates this. The proposal now' is to reintroduce the system of delayed telegjraps under a new namoj. The charge is to be half the ordinary rates, with a minimum of 1/6 per message. If

the staff and wires are available for tliis class of business, it would certainly pay the country to revert to the old ordinary rate and done with it. It is only make believe to say the “posted” telegrams are to be sent only when the lines are not otherwise engaged. That is the case now practically with ordinary messages, which are held up by urgent and other preferential business till thy wires are clear. Looking to the commerce of the country as a whole and facilties to do business w-nintly as an aid to general prosperity. it would be better for the Govern-ni-'Mt to assist readily with a low tarid' Ilian to retard business by an inci creed tariff which it is evident now is blocking business.

An announcement is made to-day of the six million Government loan at 51% repayable at par in 1933. Applications to participate in the loan close on 25th.

November. The small' investor may apply through the post Office for investment certificates which will have a currency of five and ten years, and may he obtained in certificates of £1 upwards. The loan is being raised for purposes of the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act, the administration of which has been hampered somewhat of late by the want of funds. The loan is compulsory so far as the ability to contribute is affected, and bonds and stock will not be free of income tax. It is significant that th e rate of interest is advanced from 5 per cent—the "rate of the public works loan floated so comfortably in April last. But it is still oheap money as the world’s money market goes, and local bodies are finding a difficulty in raising money at 5i%. Nowadays Colonial Governments are compelled to he self-reliant and raise the loan moneys locally. In England and on the Continent money rules much higher and is not always procurable. The Australian governments also have to offer better terms, than New Zealand to attract the money they require. It will be a good thing if New Zealand can demonstrate its ability to provide this large loan at this juncture. There is an uneasiness about th e money market generally just now which, suggests stringent times ahead. The money in the present instance is to assist to fulfil one of the prime obligations of the war—to settle our discharged soldiers on th e land and in business. Those who served were promised that consideration, and that promise has got to be honored. New Zealand came through the war with very little financial disturbance. Indeed its financial stability was added to, and there is now the opportunity and the need to show in a practical way gratitude for the wonderful experience the country had in respect to its | finances. The Minister of Finance has expressed his expectations regarding the successful flotation of the loan, and it will be to the credit of New Zealand to make it a decided success. It is part of the flotation scheme ‘to create a depreciation fund so as to stabilise I the par value of the loan during its currency. This is a. new provision which will make the investment more attractive still, and should help towards its successful flotation. j