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Hokitika Guardian, 9 November 1920, Page 2

There is a strong trade union opposition in Australasia to the running of ships manned by Japanese crews. This is largely an international question which will become more involved. Now that the United States has elected a President who does not approve of entering thp League ofNations, the sus pended Angfo,Japanese treaty is icviv. ed again. It has fQ be confessed that the British treaty was very useful to Australasia in , particular during the early period of the war, for the presence of the Japanese fleet favorable to Britain and Allies in the Pacific wa- : a restraining influence of a marked degree on the movements of the maraudering Germap ships roving these seas. At the moment lawyer, the Japanese are greatly exercised in mind over the operation of the United States Merchant Marine Act, known as the Jones Act. The principal item of interest in the Act, is of course, the provision I that goods, whether import or export, carried in foreign ships, may be charg- , ed about three times the railway freight i in America that goods carried in Amo- . riean ships will pay. At the present I rate of increase, there will soon be more I American ships on the trans-Pacific run than ships of any other nation, whereas for a time, after the old Pacific Marl was abolished, and until its resuseita tion, there were no American ships on that ocean at all. The Japanese shipping companies naturally look on these developments with a good deal of trepidation. The operation of the Act has been postponed till January, but that is not a very long period, and if it goes into effect in all its rigours in 1921, there will .he very little chance for a. continuance of the considerable North Pacific trade which the Japanese steamers carry at present. If they divert their energies to the “homeward’’ or European run, says an English shipping journal, there will soon he an outcry for reserving British inter-port trade to British steamers. Some of the Japanese, foreseeing such possibilities, have advocated a more liberal policy. aB the opening of their own coasting

trade to foreign shipping would give | away very little, hut so far the authori- , ties have not been able to rise to the . height of sacrificing a sprat in order to maintain a lien on a whale. Raw silk is the most valuable of Japan’s exports, and it practically all goes to New York. Of course, Japanese vessel-; could carry it via Panama, but it is a cargo so valuable that it pays to send it by train, the difference being less than the loss through tying up money during a prolonged voyage. It might be found worth while to sacrifice in ferest in order to compete with the American transit via Seattle. There are many other ways also in which the Jones Act may have, the effect not onlv of favouring American ships, but of creating enormous diversions in trade And, ns has been pointed out, this will , create a large number of important [ vested; inlterests which will make a revision of the arrangements almost im- [ possible.

Mr Seddon M.P. hopes to visit the electorate shortly after the session closes.

Consumers are reminded that accounts for October must be paid before 4 p.m. to-morrow to secure discount.

Tlie Cotunty elections, including the machinery loan poll, takes place to-mor-row. . The hours of polling are 9 a.m to 6 p.m.

A meeting of all sawmillers interest, ed in siding accommodation at Hokitika is convened for to-morrow (Wednesday) evening at 7.30 o’clock at the Education Board rooms. A social gathering will be held in the One Mile Hall, Arnhura on Friday next 12th inst., at 8 p.m. to hid farewell to members of the Woods’ family who are leaving the district. Everybody welcome.—Advt.

The Overseas Club will hold a public assembly dance on Armistice night* (Thusdny) at the Supreme Hall. Returned soldiers and their wives are cordially invited and will be admitted free. The ladies’ committee will make the usual arrangements for the function and it should prove very enjoyable.

The weekly tournament a.nd dance will be held in St. Mary’s Club rooms to-morrow (Wednesday) evening. As this is a special night patrons can rely on good prizes being held up for compe. tition and also good music secured for the dance. Donations of refreshments are kindly solicited.—Advt.

Here’s some items of interest from the mercery department at H.B’s Men’s hand black and white stripe shirts, 8s lid each, striped collars 2s. 2s 3d, 2s Gd, neat wide-end ties from 2s Gd each, pyjama suits from 13s Gd each. Always the best collection and values in all mercery lines at the N.Z. Clothing Factory.--Advt.

Great Sale now on.—lt is your chance —the surplus stocks must go. All seasonable news goods at bargain prices. A visit will convince you of the genuineness of the offerings; bargains in general drapery, millinery, hosiery, underclothing, fancy goods and men’s wear. Positively every article marked down. Spot cash trading enables us to give the best value that money can buy.—McGruer and Co., Hokitika and Greymouth.—Advt.

Messrs Wild and Bassett have just in. stalled a new 14»24in. Barnes sliding extension tap, hollow spindle lathe in their motor repair shop. The machine is oi tho latest design and is specially suitable for all classes of motor repair work. This machine together with their cylinder re-boring, acetone welding plant, air compression and up-to-date vulcanising plant brings their shop up to a high standard of efficiency and should be a; great boon to all motoiv car owners.

Now is the time to select your Sac Suits men! H.B’s have a beautiful range of Sac Suits just to hand and the fit is guaranteed. All sizes in dark grey, med. grey, brown, checks and heathers, £5 IQs, £5 15s, £5 19s 6d, £6 6s. These values are wonderful. Call early and inspect these goods fit the N.Z. Clothing Factory.—Advt.

A large and representative gathering of fhg ‘All Saints Church members was held in the Schoolroom yesterday afternoon to bid farewell to Miss B. E. Michel who is to foe married this week. The Vicar (The Rev. Dr. Holloway) presided, and referred to the large part Miss Michel had taken in Church work as one of the regular organists and in many other ways. She had been always ready to help, as he himself had found during the time he had been in Hokitika, .and as those present that afternoon would know even better still, and she would be very greatly missed. The members of the congregation hnd joined together to give hejr a wedding present as a token of their good wishes and of their grateful remembrance of her good work, and to this end two of the ladies (Mesdames J. 0. Mae. farlane and Bennett) had collected a suns of money with which they were going to ask her to choose a suitable wedding gift. The individual subset iptions had been purposely limited in amount to a small sum, the aim being rather to make the present one from the whole congregation. The Vicar then naked Miss Michel to accept tlte gift, which was enclosed in a dainty little bag (the work of Mrs F. Williams), with the heartiest good wishes of her fellow church members, and with it also an autograph book containing theft signatures. Miss Michel then rose and thanked her friends for their kind wishes and for their present. Afternoon tea followed, after which those present took the opportunity of saying good bye to Miss Michel as she was to leave for Christchurch early the next morning. The very line of trousers bushmen and workers engaged in arduous work have long been looking for, can now be purchased at the H.B. The new dark brown molette trousers are guaranteed to wear like wire and are priced at19s 9d. This is the most economical line in the long run.—N.Z. Clothing Factory.—Advt.