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Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1921, Page 2

I v whatever direction the policy of Germany tends it is not to tin* penitent form. Pretext after pretext lias been used to delay the day of reckoning with the Allies, and the latest manoeuvre is an attempt to inveigle President Harding into pulling the chestnuts out of the lire for the benefit of lierlin. It is a noil need, with an effrontery in the eirettinstances almost sublime, that if tlie Vnited States will mediate between Germany and the Allies on the reparations Germany will “agree” to abide by the President’s decision. President Harming has naturally refused to he drawn into any such trap. Only 11 few weeks ago he announced 1 that his Administration held that Germany was morally guilty and must he made to

pay for the damage she had wrought. It must by now be plain to everybody that the idea that Germany has changed her heart and really wishes to make atonement has to he dismissed as the fantastic delusion of visionaries. The only sanction that, a people bred to arms ,as the Germans have been, will recognise is the sanction of force. The German indemnity will be paid when the German people are convinced that it is humanely impossible to avoid pay« meat. France recognises this, and is going about the task in a wav to enforce satislaction. It is in this extiemitv that Germain- throws hersell on the

mercy of America to seek out a way ol further tricking the Allies ol a Inir measure of reparation. A few days will see the culmination of this crisis.

Tiik municipal polling throughout the Dominion seems to have been, as might In- expected, generally heavy. Diking the position as a whole extreme La hoi will find very ilttlc consolation in the results. While this is what might be expected, it is as well to have the concrete fact exposed, because the extremists are so noisy in their methods that their blataney might bo accounted a, substitute for success, in Wellington there was something of a pitched battle between law and order and extreme Labour. Mr Wright (who by the way is an ex-Hokitikia.ii, having been on the staff of the “West Coast Times” in the old days) might not he considered the most popular of standard hearers. Coit a inly he is an ardent Reformer and a member for Parliament, but he would not be as likeable publicly as for instance the retiring Mayor (Mr Luke). The Labor champion was Mr Hickey, notable for his expressive phrase “to hell with agreements.” Of course Mr Hickey was badly beaten by about two to one. hut even then he received too many votes, and the poll suggests the reactionaries have a. good volume of support in the Empire City which fact is not surprising seeing industrial labour is so strongly organised. In other large centres, Labor has nothing much on which to plume itself. The popular Mr Sullivan M.P. for Avon, did extremely well in the City Council election at Christchurch, hut he really is not considered a rabid Labour representative. The elections are useful as a means to keep popular opiniefn in time, and as an outlet for the expression of that opinion. Locally, the recent poll will, we believe, have good effect in regard to municipal activities. The interest of the public indicates a keenness in their affairs, and we shall not he suiprised during Ihr period of the sitting Council, it a more healthy publicopinion in regard to civic allairs is not aroused. The present Council is not likely to be ak “silent” as its predecessor. There will he more disposition to debate matters, and that ventilation of ideas will he the best guarantee towards more sound work. Altogether the stirring up of municipal matters and enlisting democratic attention is a wise thing counting for tin* general public- good.

Tub Secretary of ihe Teachers 1 fiistitet favors us to-day with a communication on publishing school reports which we hasten to print. We must confess that we can see no weighty reasons yet why the reports should not be published. In the zeal to spare the leeqngs of indifferent teachers, the case for the pupils is quite, overlooked. It is for the benefit of flu* children and not for me teachers, that the country is spending its millions on education and the children should be the first and not the last considered in the matter. Outpoint is that when the report comes to the School Committee, which body directly represents the_ public. being elected therefrom, the Committee should have the right to communicate the reports to the public. This may he done in one or two ways—or both—either by reading the report in open committee as part of the public business —which we maintain it undoubtedly i;—or else of formally handing the document to the press for publication. If it is desired to keep public interest maintained in the free, secular system now established, ~ie public who are calk'd upon to maintain the system should he taken into the confidence of the authorities by showing to what direct advantage tin-

money on education is being spent. The belated annual reports from the educational authorities are not helpful to the situation. It is the local information to he directly communicated to the public when the statements are fresh in mind which is of value. The course while safeguarding the children’s interests is also in the interest and for tile protection of the teachers. If criticism is to he helpful to discipline in a matter such as teaching were daily efficiency and application are necessary, thi'ii candid reports from the inspectors are most essential. The public- are very good judges of right and wrong, and can make a fair deduction from a report. 'The publication of the -eports regarding the school maintains the parents’ alert interest in all that pertains to the welfare of that school, and it will help to attain a higher standard of efficiency to ihe iR-nefit of the pupils and the advantage of the hard working teachers, if the public be in closer touch with the periodic work of the school