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Hokitika Guardian, 12 August 1921, Page 2

>)k Into tlio cabled nows has contnined fi’ot)iifiit- reference to tlio delicacy ol tlio intern.ilional situntion i.rising out of uli.it is known ns tin- Silos inn (|UOM.ion. I'liis mutter is all outcome ol tlio administration of the Peace Treaty, anil theie luivo boon Fra neo-British differences of opinion on the matter. Franco in its /.etil to safeguard tlio territorial position is farnurini' the rights of the Poles as against the German element in Silesia. Britain. supported by Italy, is on the side of (Germany. The possibility of an Inter-Allied rift in the matter has net been at all remote, but the breach has been avoided up to the present by a postponement of the main issue, rather than an actual decision thereon. Tito matter was deferred till the present conference now in session, and the importance of the issue internationally is evidenced by the almost dogmatic statement which the British Prime Minister has made bo fen' the Conference. Therein France is openly warned of the delicate situation which is being created and of the effect should belligerency result France will stand alone. This public exposition of the case would hardly have been made were France amenable to what is considered by the British and Italian representatives as the right attitude. Although America is not a party to the Treaty itself, the United States is represented at the Conference, and there is reason to believe that the States sides with the British view. Hon Lloyd George put the whole matter forward in a very concrete form, and would hardly, have been ns plain spoken had not the gravity of the surrounding circumstances* ■ailed for that openness. The matter In disnnte is a very delicate one, much lo be said on all sides, but it is to bo j mped that the frank speech at the Con- | ■orence will lead to the whole subject • being thrashed out verbally and satisfactorily, without resort to noiser and • non* unsatisfactory methods j

>otahi river to tap what is known as told Head road. At present Stuart and Chapman Ltd., arc building an iron ramway from Ross to the timber areas )ii the south side of the Waitaha river. This line (which will he worked by steam) will traverse portion of the Bold Head road route and near the site of the proposed bridge will be quite adjacent to the main south road. By means of the bridge, the Little Waitaha river (known as Kakapotahi river) will be spanned and arrangements are being made with the firm referred to to transport goods etc. along the lino in question to and from the main railway line at Ross. By • securing this means of transport a considerable distance of road haulage over a hilly section of the road will be avoided, and there will lie a considerable saving in freight. The southern district is pulting out increasing quantities of dairy produce, principally cheese, and it will he both a saving and a convenience to transport this commodity by rail, from the Little Waitaha, instead of from Ross. The Council’s proposal is to raise a loan of £1,500 for the erection of the bridge and approach. It is proposed to spread and repayment of the loan over a period of 15 years, and a special rate to ('over interest and principal would require to he raised annually. The rate for the district suggested (namely between the Mikonui and Waiiangi rivers) would he a small one. The carrying of the proposal and the buying of the rate rests with the people themselves, who probably during next month or early in October will bo given the opportunity to vote on the question. The matter is now before the ratepayers for consideration and the ultimate decision is in their own hands. mil ——