The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” SATURDAY, JUNE 11th., 1921. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” SATURDAY, JUNE 11th., 1921. THE WEEK.

Natuiuu.v it is hoped that the measure o! self-government now taking shape in Ireland, founded on the Home Rule Act of 11)1-1, will have the eventual effect of settling the Irish question - as the hroad issue is referred to so often—peaceably, and - incidentally, quickly. • The Home Rule amending hill of last year was intended to ameliorate the situation and offer a basis of settlement. In effect, however, it failed to nullify the Sinn Fein element and this dominant party seems to overrule moderate Irish opinion so that it dare not make itself heard, lho principle of the bill was sound, for it offered self-government to Ireland on „ basis of self-determination for l Her open to reversion or possible revocation in the course of time, when a completely united Ireland might be possib’e The principle was forced in a spirit of compromise aiming at meeting a mod difficult question unsolvu,ble by any other process. It is succeeding in pa 4 only, for though the North has its Parliament, and is getting into working order, the South which has an elected Parliament, refuses to go to constitution. Sinn Fein dominates the po sition there; nor will it permit any other organisation to constitute ordered government in the South. It prefers tin justify its position in Ireland and liefore the world by force of arms rather than by force of reason, and on this account is in a fair way to alienate sympathy all round the world Anarchy and rebellion are rife in Ireland to-day, when sane action on the part of the uproarious throng might, lead the people to settle their o,:iey-

ances and attain their aspirations through an ordered form of government administered by their own Parliament To miss so great an opportunity 7surely the most grievous error Ireland could commit.

The plight, of Ireland is all most pitiful and tragic. Fate seems to tVlight- in intensifying the Anglo-Irsn relations, and at the moment what a disaster it will be for Ireland if the greatest and grandest opportunity of all to direct the affairs of the counti ’ by constitutional means administered hv their own Parliament, is lost. An evolution of the affairs of Ireland, not a revolution is the sane way to lend the country hack to the first principles of sensible civilisation. Indeed, as bis been remarked, the present situation in Ireland is an offence' against civilisation. The British side of the question has aimed all along for a fair way out of the impasse. The North had hs rights as well as the South and England and Scotland had to be considered also in regard to a national defence an 1 security. This triangular condition ot affairs had to he brought into a cireulir position wherein each and all while conceding something, might yet retain the degree of security it- deemed of paramount importance for its national welfare. So was brought to pass the legislation of 1920, to make more effective and acceptable the original Home Rule Act of 1914. The whole trend rf this has shown bona fides, and the willingness of the North to co-operate in a state of self-government which as a matter of fact they were prepared to do without, and continue as of old, shows the length to which the concilritoi’y movement went. The three cardinal features of the present situation are: (1) That Ireland must remain within the Empire—may not become a Republic; (2) That matters of defence are reserved to the British Government to safeguard England and Scotland from a hostile force; (3) That Ulster, loyal to Britain and the British Parliament must not he coerced by an Irish Parliament. Outside of this there is ample scope for sound internal government, the establishment of law and order, and a reign of progress and prosperity for Ireland.

Ouk Government is, very properly, being called to account over the unemployment question. The financial stringency is blamed for the situation, but accepting that as a primal cause, its approach was foreseen and the Government did not prepare for it. Again, Ministerial utterances on the Dominion situation have been conflicting. Mr Massey as Minister of Finance was supposed to know all about the condition of the country, yet he lias offered kerv conflicting explanations. Early in April last, Mr Massey, received i deputation from the Post and 'Telegraph service asking for increased pay. On that occasion the Prime Minister told a- story very different to the one related in London last week. In April herein New Zealand he said this:—You ask for an increase; hut do you know, the position of the country to-day? Do you know that the bottom has fallen out all along the line? Do you know it is with the utmost difficulty that 1 find the money to pay the men to-da ,s . Do you know that the Government is going to have the utmost difficulty to carry on, in view- of .the load of expenditure of the past few years ß . T have made a desperate struggle to keep things going: and I don t know whether I shall he able to keep things going right through the slump. No man in the country is carrying ; i heavy a load of anxiety as I am at this time. I am making a desperate effort to keep things going. And more to the same effect. Honestly, we think Mr Massey on April 5 was painting the picture in darker hues than was accessary, though lie had to resist further raids upon the public purse, by tjlie Civil .Servants. But if he was right then he cannot have been aim right last week in London. For instance:—Dealing with finance, he said the Dominion was prosperous, probably more so than any other part «f Die Empire. He had information that last year’s surplus was over six millions, and though Customs and income tax livenin' must be expected to fall, he did not anticipate, with the economies made, substantial reserve, and cany over, any difficulty in making ends meet .

In commenting on tile divergence between these two statements, the Lyttelton Times notes that it would re-' quire a very nimble mind, even in a politician, to reconcile Mr Massey’s doleful story to the Post and Telegraph deputation with his glowing recital re the distingushed company in London Perhaps a reasonable conclusion Is that, the right honorable gentleman overdid his part a little on both occasions. W*. do not agree that “the bottom ns fallen out all along the line.” M r e have tried, as best ho can, to dispel pessimism of this kind without igm-.r ing the conditions that exist. But it e not easy to understand how a Prime Minister can say that he does not an ticipate any financial difficulty, owing to his careful management, his economies, his reserves and his surplus, it it was correct to say a few weeks before that the struggle to keep going was a “desperate” one, giving him f.

heavier load of anxiety than was borne by any other man in the country. However we do hope that Mr Massey’s later and brighter version of the country’s state will make an impression upon the minds of his colleagues causing them to realise that there really are a surplus a substantial reserve and a carryover sufficient to remove all difficulty, in making ends meet. Ministers and their officers are quoting the financial stringency in season and out. It was offered as an excuse this week for not putting in a few small culverts on the main south road! Yet we have been told there was a surplus of over six millions on last year’ account and in less than six weeks the country is astounded to find the Treasury is empty and works are being stopped in all directions. Colonel Mitchell and the Labor members for Canterbury are seeking information on the subject and a statement without reservation is due to the people to clear up the fact where the money has gone and what justification there is for the present fihaneial inuddle.

Another alliance is in the air, and the most interesting feature is that in every instance, Britain is regarded as the se nior partner in the unity of international affairs. There is the Anglo-Jap-anese alliance to be renewed; the reapproachment bound up in the AngloAmerican alliance—most desirable of all- and finally an Anglo-French alliance. The desire to have the goodwill and esteem of Britain is very evident and it is very complimentary to our nation. Mr Hughes has put the case for the renewal of the Anglo-Japanese treaty very well. As Prime Minister for Australia lie recognises the genuine » work of Japan under the former treaty during the test of the war; and realises such a treaty will continue to he of special benejjt to Australia and the Pacific as a whole. America has a racial antipathy to the Japanese, but stress of circumstances will overborne this no doubt, combined with effective statesmanship, ‘lor after all Britain having hard tangible proof of the value of Japan’s friendship, cannot discard so powerful an ally offhand. Besides if to the Anglo-Japanese alliance, there could be linked up America’s good will, the peaceful security of the East and the Pacific might be regarded as ail accomplished fact. Now we have talk of the Anglo-French alliance. Undoubtedly that would be useful as affecting tlie Western Europe position, and if America c ould lie induced to join, which seems somewhat doubtful, there would bo a very powerful league of nations leading up to a more omnipotent League emliiracing the other important nations of Europe. It :s good to hear of this trend, towards more intimate alliances. There are a guarantee towards peace, and with Britain a- powerful partner, peace should be guaranteed.

The coal strike and accompanying industrial crisis at Home is again reported to be nearing its end. It lias heel) operating now for-'fully two months, and has carried enormous loss and misery, in its train. Mr Lloyd George’s announcement that the Government would withdraw its offer of financial support of ten millions to help stabilise wages, has had the desirable effect of hurrying the miners to a sense of the ]M>sition. Time and again sane leaders of labor have pronounced against tlie crass stupidity of strikes as a means to settle industrial disputes. The workmen are so easily led in the moment of crisis ,without stopping to think for themselves. The inflammatory speaker knows how to tackle the imagination of his dupes, and pitching the right key leads them from the path of sanity. But while wrecking their own fortunes by striking, the organisations wreck also the industry affected, and on this occasion as the coal supply affects so many other industries, including transport, the industrial wreckage is widespread. The prolongation of the strike was wrecking also the f°** tunes of Britain itself, hence the tinß, limit of a fortnight given by the Prime Minister forethe acceptance or rejection of the Government offer of help. The trade of Great Britain will receive a deplorable set hack by this far-reach-ing strike, and the laboring section ly and indirectly. Probably so drastic must suffer the greatest, both directan experience will bring enlightenment to employer and employee and will show yet again how inter-dependent one is upon the other. If this great service results, the strike might lay the foundation for a mutual understanding whereby reciprocal relations in the future will prevent a recurrence of strikes and so save the country from the inevitable disaster which is entailed hv a serious industral disloeatio*.

One is inclined to think that the most harrassed individual these times is the holder of a pithlcan’s license. He seems to he* fair game for all the inspectors this inspector-ridden country suffers from, while on top of that lie has to he mindful of the tireless activity of the police, who neither slumber nor sleep all the year round—for there is someone always on the beat. The recent sitting of the Licensing Bench served to emphasise all this, and the proceedings seem to call for some comment. The zealous Board of Health reminds us of the story of the mote and the beam. . It can pick up many motes where its fancy lures it, but cannot seen the beams in many Government offices and institutions where, also it does not please it to cast its eagld eye. Candidly, this business of hotel inspection seems to be rather overdone, and the local Committee had occasion to modify many of the demands nniide. New brooms have their virtues, hut like olid brooms they do not get under the mat, and it is what is feft, rather than what is (removed, which is often the mor e offensive. Also there is reason in all things, but judging by some of the requirements in the reports a condition of affairs out of all reason to the trade done, or even the business possibilities, is being required of some proprietors. All the hotelkeepers appear to be called upon to face considerable outlay at a very inopportune time, with commodities dear, skilled labour scarce, and quite an uncertain term of license to face. The police replorts on the whole appear to have been fairly rendered, but the suggestion to close the fire escapes from Princess Theatre because they afford an outlet to hotel yards, shows that even this zealous arm of the public service may err flagrantly. It was a most short-sighted suggestion and the Corn-

mittoe very rightly refused to entertain it. As for the struggling hotelkeepers who meet public wants in very 'difficult times very creditably indeed, they have our sympathy, but that will not avail them much when the inquisitorial inspector gets to work.

Mention of hotels and hotelkeeping recalls the action of the Westland Cham- 1 her of Commerce in suggesting that the licensing polls as regards license or nb license should bo taken every ninth year, instead of every third year. The object of this was to give the proprietors of valuable hotel property some security of tenure, and the opportunity to do trade over a period which would justify the enormous expense hotel proprietors have to go to equip modern premises and conduct them on modern lines. There is all through New Zealand complaints as to the inadequacy of the acconnnoidatioit. It is not sufficient for the moving population for Dominion dwellers to travel about. To help overcome the troubles so apparent j to all who travel, the idea was to give a longer settled term of license, and with | that security hotel-keepers could he i reasonably expected to build and equip their premises on more modern lines, and with a more amplo accommodation I for travellers. This suggestion was ! S ent out to various Chambers tof Commerce asking their support, and it is amusing to note the proposal invariable bad a hostile reception. It was looked on as a covert suggestion fi J om the Trade, but ns a matter of fact the proposal emanated from the Chairman of the local Prohibition League, who happens to be a member also of the local Chamber of Commerce. In this respect the matter has its amusing side, for coming from the West Coast the idea was attributed at once to the Trade. But the Chamber acted in good faith, and for the reason so plainly stated. One Chamber thought the issue a party political one and so vetoed it, but surely the comfort and convenience of the travelling public cannot be so classed. All parties and all politcallv bent, travel, be he or she for or against prohibition, and it is essential for one ns the other to find a home away from home when business caVs to another town—and that was all the local Chamber sought to do for suffering humanity.