The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” SATURDAY, APRIL 30th., 1921. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” SATURDAY, APRIL 30th., 1921. THE WEEK.

Anzac Day commemoration occupied attention at the first of the week. 1 lie .mental attitude of the pe •p 1 e was distinctly reverential and a tnil measured observance of respect was shown, 'there was the right air of loyalty about the proceedings, and if any suggestion might lie made in connection with this distinctive annual recurring event, it is that the rising generation should he more and more identified with the proceedings. so that the future men and women of the times will learn more intimately the true inwardness of Anzac Day and what it stands for When we remember that on Monday at Greymouth,, May Day is to be celebrated with speeches and rebel songs, there is occasion to give the voting a right up-bringing in their attitude, to the nation which cares for 'hem in their youth so that tlu-y will understand what true loyalty to one’s- country means and implies. We want to see that symbol of our nationhood—the Flag--and all that it stands tor, respected at its true worth and with a loyal people that will Iw ensured. Speaking at Napier the other day, Mr I’arr said he thought it would he a good idea il every school had the Union .lack flying and the children every day saluted the flag and sang the National Anthem. Mr Parr is Minister of Education and he

might well take the steps necessary to have the ceremony introduced into the schools throughout the Dominion New Zealand does not need ceremonies to create feelings of patriotism in its people and ]:ride in the great commonwealth of nations with which the genius of our race has encircled the world At the same time it is well that every child should he brought up with knowledge and respect for all for which the Hag stands. In itself the daily ceremonial of hoisting the colours aboard a warship is a little thing, ft is all over in a couple of minutes, hut. familiar as it may become by daily repetition, it is a symbol for all who witness it of something larger than of < nrselves of which we are part, and which demands of us the best that we have to give. And it is a good thing ,f we can get that feeling into our bones before we begin our day’s work.

The census figures are now going on record. It is pleasing to find that our own town is more than holding its own—in fact is increasing. The increase in Hokitika however, is discounted by the falling off in the neighbouring boroughs of Kumara and Ross —hut they are two centres which yet might “come” again when the Dominion has a genuine mining policy devoted to finding out why, when and where Mie alluvial deposits of gold in the rich places of the country have abruptly lost themselves in the shallow' depths sc. far worked. The figures of population affecting the Country of Westland v> ill not he known for some time, but these in the aggregate should likewise ikow an increase so that on ths whole Westland is

growing. Considering that we are 011 the threshold of a new era in the way of inter-communication with other parts of the Island, the position is quite satisfactory and there is the pleasing prospect that ere the next census has to he taken, the growth of population will he more substantial still. The district is now at a point where it cannot look hack. Even the slump which is now overtaking the Dominion is not going to be felt here as critically as other places. The drop in staple products while it will mean less money coming in, is not going to spell ruination because the more frug'd methods of living here have not wasted the earnings of the past. The folk in anv ease arc not heavily involved. Hu land is cheaper here, and a smallci investment suffices to carry on The financial pinch will not he as rigorous and thereby,we shall carry on in comparative comfort. Snwmilling may. and probably will slump to some extent, but the Government will nave to he statesmanlike about the position. Instead of prohibiting exports they will have to permit them, so that industrial elmos will not result, It is all very well to suggest keeping the standing timber for the unborn r illions, hut it is more expedient to use that gift of nature to help feed the living rather t han worrv about the unborn. Ihe Government will have to he practical, •md being practical Westland will carry on through the stringent tines.

Uavinc got through the municipal elections satisfactorily, the next business will he for the new Council to consider its line of policy for the next two years It would he a good idea if the Council were at the very outset to determine upon a municipal policy to cover its term of office, 'o lay down a line of action to he pursued; not rushing into a heap of expenditure; but seeing in the first instance what is the more urgently required works, and then setting about the task of performing them in due order. A committee of the whole Council might well make themselves familiar with the condition of the streets, footpaths and drains throughout the Ixmuigh. Indeed this knowledge is obviously necessary if justice is to he done to all parts. By ns--1 curtaining the liabilities ahead the members can adjust their expenditure accordingly. In view of the state of the waterworks, the worn condition of many streets, the need for attention to various drainage undertakings, it is quite possible that a works’ loan will he needed to do fair justice to the requirements. If this is decided upon it would he as well to provide for it first as last. By so doing it would he possible to adjust the revenue to meet the new position which would have to he faced. It is conceivable under a moderate scheme for a works’ loan that he revenue which now goes for works could he saved fur interest payments and by that saving permanent work could la 1 earned out without any extra charge being imposed on the ratepayers for interest on the loan. It has been suggested that a loan of a. reasonable amount can he raised locally at a very favourable rate, and if this he so, then the councillors would he justified in weighing the merits of a borrowing scheme to carry nut urgently necessary works, which il not done by that means might 1 nve to stand over indefinitely and in the end cost more by being carried out piece meal than under a comprehensive scheme following the lines of a definite municipal policy.

It is unfortunate at the moment Germany is again a suppliant for easier terms under the reparation clauses of the Treaty, that in Britain there should he such shocking disclosures in regard to the treatment of prisoners of war by Germany. Memory is short at tiroes, and though it is only a brief interval since the armistice whidfi was the virtual ending of the fighting and taking of prisoners, many may have forgotten for the time being the heinousness of the crimes German officers and soldiery were guilty of in regard to the prisoners. There has been much evidence both during the war and subsequently ns to what the arch fiends did, hut in the pleadings of Germany for leniency for her nefarious acts, the brutality ot most of them was obscured. They come to light now with startling appropriateness. It were as if that solemn declaration of old: “Vengeance is Mine;

[ will repay,” were as literally true of these times, and that under the penal clauses of the Treaty Germany is going to he made to pay, and in the payment vengeance will he wreaked. The disclosures will remind the public ol what the unfortunate prisoners had to pass through, and opinion will he stiffened accordingly. Germany lias appealed to America, and appealed in vain. I*or Germany to unbend to that extent was something, but having unbent in vain, Germany will realise that until atonement is made in due and- proper course, she must stand alone and remain ostracised. There is another factor to remember in regard to the making of Germany pay, and that is were the position reversed, capital in the Allied countries would have been scooped up by force of arms, and alt workers made I Kind slaves .working for an indefinite period to provide more and more money for Germany. Germany showed no mercy in the zenith of her power. '1 he Allies on the other hand hare been merciful to the point that Germany counts much of it a sign of weakness, and has sought to wedge a breach between the Allies to further profit by the result. But yet again Germany has over-reach-

ed herself, and next week will see the crisis of it all.

The .“Times” Washington correspondent who forecasted that America would refuse to transmit the German note to the A Hies, stated also the outline of a slim plot to capture American favour. It appears that American business men in Berlin were working in with Hugo Stinnes. whose circle of intrigue embraced also groups of business men in London and Baris, all co-opera-ting to the same end. Hugo Stinnes has been for some time a rising power in German politics. One of the direct results of the general election in Germany last June was the success gained by the Peoples’ Party. It became a a force to he reckoned with in politics. Behind that party, says a Huropean writer, is a sinister figure, that of Herr Hugo Stinnes. He is a millionaire who controls a network of enterprises, including mines, steamships and newspapers. Since the war he is said to have

purchased over sixty journals with a view to - promoting the influence of the Peoples’ Party. Several well-kmnVn German papers including the “Zeitung” is now under his control as proprietor. Herr Stinncs stands for the commercial capitalists who realise that the only chance of recovery for Germany is by trade. Hugo Stinnes graduated when he was 16 and for two years work cd as a miner in his father’s pits. His father, dying when die son was only 19, left him the sole heir to about six millions. The courts were successfully petitioned to allow him, though underage, to administer the great estate. Before the war he had coal interests in Yorkshire. In 1919 lie was 011 the Armistice. Commission, but bis removal was demanded because of his association with Belgian deportations. At Spa in 1920 he made an insolent speech, which however was repudiated by his colleagues. It is not difficult to believe that a man of his position and character, evidently distinctly German, would he full of intrigue, and that his scope of action would he thorough and farreaching. Apparently the position has been closely watched, and the Americans have got on his tracks and spoiled his plot.,lt is clear that the Allies must deal firmly with Germany if there is to he a satisfactory ending to establish the peace terms. How that end is to he brought about will soon he revealed now.

1 That was a remarkable cable message this week which revealed a Sinn Fein split. It is possible the whole thing might be a hoax, hut the events are told so circumstantially that this is not probable. There is again a woman in the case to mar the progress of events, just as in the time of another great leader in Irish affairs, a woman intervened to dislocate a promising situation. Sinn Feinism has chosen to justify its position in Ireland, and before the world by force of arms rather than by force of reason, and according to the story given out in the cable mesthe orders for the force are is- ■ sued from a queer place. The tale of ■the story unfolds a situation which it is conceivable is literally true; namely that the dupes of the Sinn Fein leaders * are. being grossly mis-led, helped 011 by lying statements, and controlled only , by tlu> fear of suffering or death. If half-what is said he true, nay if there is hut a fraction of truth in the whole ’ story, it is reasonable to believe that tin Sinn Fein movement must languish very soon. The other evening, also, there was a significant message from America, wherein the views of the New '. Vori< “Tribune” were jfiven. These i made it clear that the Sinn Fein move- | ment had its sole support in American dollars, and these once ceasing, the movement would lose its strength. Allusion was made also to the rush of I Irish people to America and fear at the j possible consequences was expressed. : while some sound advice was given by the paper to those in America who were propping u]i a lost cause hv supplying the sinews of war in dollars. AH the same, as a recent critic has put it, the position of Ireland is pitiful and tragic. Fate seems to dog the Anglo-Irish relations and yet Britain would he cordial friends with Ireland 011 the simplest of terms; (1) That Ireland remain within the Empire: (2) That matters of defence are reserved; (3) 'That Ulster must not lie*coerced. With these three reservations only, surely a happy solution is possible, and should he found. The present state of affairs is an offence to civilisation. To the Empire it is something of a. danger—a situation Sinn Feinism is endeavouring to intensify. May we he at the darkest hour before the brighter dawn all must be hoping for fervently.