The Guardian. AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1921 DISARMAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1921, Page 2

The Guardian. AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1921 DISARMAMENT

()[.’ Into, cable messages from various sources snci_tc>st that the question of disarmament, shelved by the League of Nations which was primarily constituted to considered his very matter is being forced upon the attention of some of the (treat Powers as a commonsense solution of their financial difficulties. In Britain, in tho United States and even in Japan, there is a gipwing demand for economy in national expenditure, yet each is afraid to take the step boldly. The task of reconstruction and reorganisation at the close of a great disintegrating war is proving to be extremely costly, and the prospect of a new coin petit ion in armaments amongst the victors in the struggle is not at all to the liking of those charged with the financial administration of national affairs. It. is noteworthy remarks a contemporary, that proposals for disarmament have, come from three nations—from Britain, apparently with the full weight of official sanction; from the United States through the mouth of an influential Republican Senator, William Borah of Idaho, and from Japan through a former leader of the Opposition. Those three nations are the three groat naval powers of the modern world, and their supremacy over all others in respect of naval armaments is so marked that, for the- next two decades at any rate, they have nothing to fear from any of the other Powers. If these three can conic, to a mutual agreement not to compete one against the other in expenditure on armaments, each < an save an enormous amount of money and assist the cause of | national prosperity by substantial remissions of taxation. Sir Philip Gibbs has been bold enough to assure the United States Naval Committee concerning the good intentions of Britain, and it is ! not likely that be spoke wittiou some 'official warrant. It should* not he difficult to build a lasting bridge of pence and amity between Britain and the United States, nor impossible to convince Japan that her interests are not menaced by Britain. The task of establishing mutual confidence between Japan and America, the two great naval powers whose windows overlook the Pacific complicated by th e present bitter quarrel concerning the emigration of Japanese to the Republic. The issue here is racial and may well be regarded by both parties as of fundamental importance. A firm alliance b tween Britain and the United States seems to lie the first link in tho chain that will subordinate these warring interests to the common good. If the League ol Nations is to’ be a backward infant, as appears likely, its most conscientious supporters cannot be expected to object if in the meantime the world s leading naval powers make their o"u arrangements for beating their swords into ploughshares. Such an example would certainly carry tremendous weight with the smaller nations if at some future Conference the Eighth

Article of the League Covenant should be included in the agenda paper.

It is being mentioned that the volume of tourist traffic to the district shows a marked increase from year to year of late, and that this season in particular there is a very notable increase. This traffic is sure to grow, because gradually the harrier of isolation is breaking down and the public at large are beginning to know more and more about us. No doubt the cinematograph views of "Westland which the Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in inducing tile Government to take and afterwards display throughout the Dominion, have been an agency in popularising th ( . district as a holiday resort. So, too. our climate is being better understood, and the fact that here there is an average of 2,000 hours of bright sunshine annually is dissipating by degrees all the unfavourable myths about the climate of the locality. Now, with the Arthur’s Pass Tunnel on the eve of completion, it is to be expected the volume of the traffic will continue to increase substantially. Despite this there is little or nothing being done to increase the accommodation for travellers, nor provide the suitable means for ready transit to neighbouring beauty spots which should be established, \1 ready the local hotels are being taxed to their fullest capacity, and there is need for more facilities being provided In the same way, at this season of tin year regular services .to the lakes am the glaciers and other resorts should lx ( established, so that visitors would hav< no difficulty iu getting about withou loss of time. It seems to he no one’' business to organise local tours, yet ii the interests of tourist traffic sue! should be arranged. Before next sea son sets in. if local enterprise will no enter into the profitable busineis, tin , Tourist Department should be indueet to establish a branch here, and orga nisi' trios and excursions to .ill part of the district, as wall as take steps t< foster th<> provision of more aeeommo dation in the country as well as th< town. There is a large volume ;>f bttsi ness possible in this respect, and tin possibilities of the occasion should no be lost sight of.

As was to be expected, and as was full; anticipated, the Prime Minister bad very cordial reception at the Town Hal last evening. The building was crowd ed, and those present,enjoyed a length, speech from Mr Massey, Hokitika wa rather fortunate in this respect, fo last night was probably the first puh|i address tho Premier has given in 111 Smith Island for a long time past. M Massev was in affable mood, and covet ed a good deal of ground in his db sertation over public affairs. II touched on finance ; lie reviewed wa topics; lie dealt with mandates; Ii spoke brifly on local affairs ;Jie becam confidential and gave a verbal .review i his colleagues; and gave to the and once and New Zealand the text of tli hitherto secret message on which he i going Home. The latter proved to 1: a cordial and pressing invitation I'roi Mr Floyd George to Mr Massey to a tend the June Imperial Conferenei Only in general terms were the viti subjects mentioned. One might say a most guarded terms, and having ion the message, Mi Massey asked il audience what he shoujd do in the mu ter, and tin* public reply was , “Go' Mr Masse,v said some hopeful checrin things to his audience about the futm of Westland. He spoke his confident in toe future of the Ofira, railway, an gave tlu* people to understand the lit would he finished as soon as pos.sihh He opened his mind on the subject ( the mining industry, and in respect t that, lie has opinions which given etfei to, views which followed out, mu; mean the initiation of a progressn mining policy. This cannot come tu soon. Having expressed his faith, < rather renewed his views on the stil ject, Mr Massey will he expected no to act up to the principles, and do hi pact as Minister of Mines in lurtherin the future of the industry. An indm try, which as lie says, yielded nearly million last year in recovered wealtl is worth helping. Mr Massey is at tlt helm of State, and if he has the inclin: tion, he has the power to shape a r< viving policy. The district and tli country await his practical action i the matter,