The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” SATURDAY, AUGUST 13th, 1921.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” SATURDAY, AUGUST 13th, 1921.

T H E W IS E K. The removal of the coal embargo thi-i week is another indication that matters are returning to normal. It was of course something more than the necessities of martial war which call ed for the continued control of coal long after the conflict had ceased to rage. The social war going on within our own borders compelled the (Jovernment to look alwad and seek to save the national position by seeing that ample fuel wore stored to provide for industry, light, power and transport. Xo doubt*, in the ordinary

course the duration of the war has taught many sharp lessons on subject of State control and subsidies. When national-existence is at stake all ordinary rules by the board, and with the back to the wall, it must le the nation first and all the time. In times of peace tlu-re i.s less occasion for this, though perhaps there cannot be a ready revolt from war conditions to peace conditions. Circumstances impose a gradual change, and that lias been going on now for some time. Trade, the basis of all industry, is in its full effect an international transaction, and a writer on economics has laid it down that “the fundamental interests of all nations are complementary and in harmony instead of in conflict. We hear of trade rivalries of course that is legitimate but commercial warfare can lje just as disastrous to a nation as the more ghastly game of war and the statesmen of the day, are realising that. There is no royal road to industrial rehabilitation, otlief than bywork and reduction. Tariffs, subsidies bonuses etc. can never be completely helpful, unless behind them all is the organised bone and sinew of the nation.

Thk trade slump which is now being felt, is largely the outcome of industrial chaos and the irregular nrtereliange of products. Tt has followed as a. result of the war conditions, which dislocated labour and caused congestion in regard to various commodities and which resulted in the inevitable glut. An American exchange, the * economic writers of which have made a close study of the financial aspect, has pot the position in this rather plain statej nient: “The competitive condif-oiis "p on which so much emphasis is laid are superficial and relatively unimportant just as tlie competition conditions which exist within each country are incidental to the organisation of industry. Competition is the method by which individuals and nations find their places in the industrial organisation, but there is work enough and business enough for all. Prosperity is found for all in a state of balanced industry, which enabled each cojuntrv to exchange its products for the products of others. The prostration of industry at present all over the world is due to n state of social and industrial disorganisation that is preventing the normal exchanges from being made. The remedy is not in measures that arbitrarily interfere with trade, the far-reaching effects of which cannot be foreseen, but in closer co-operation to restore normal production and trade throughout the world.” Tn seeking for reform and a restoration |of the balance of trade to the del conditions, the former methods of customs barriers, embargoes- and such like will need to be revised carefully. It is going to be a question bow far protection of industry and manufacture should he provided for if the world’s markets are to be available for a trade revival, and on that era. depends the return to more, truly national prosperity. A customs tariff is enforced first for revenue purposes, and second for protection New Zealand will soon be revising its duty charges and it will become a question to what lengths the country should go if it does not wish Ito shut out the trade revival for which it is hankering and on which the future prosperity depends. His Ma.iesty’h tribute to the Imperial Conference is notable as indicating the . more palpable feelings ol sentiment and j goodwill which help so much to bind the Empire into one Imperial whole. King George lias been always very painstaking in the nice discharge of his highly important office, and 1 1 i.s kindly tribute to the work of the Conference, and the personal touch with which in- closes bis reply to the loyal address from the Conference, indicate just cx- : actl.v how well his Majesty is caretul !of all .the details which count. ’! • loyalty of the Empire is the guarantee for its future. Probably, despite the difficulties and dangers of the hour, . Great Britain never stood ;n greater honor than she does to-day. Her King and her statesmen are responsible for the regard in which the nation is hell by other peoples, and the responsihihty is certainly well placed. His Majesty is solicitous for all parts of the (Empire, and in that connection wc must not overlook the fact it was lie who caused the first bold stop to 1 ■ , taken in regard to the present negotiations which it is hoped will lend fo lasting peace in internal Ireland. King , George has much to his credit during a reign crowded with epoch making events but nothing more notable will stand to bis credit when history re- • cords the full story than the noble and . personal part he has played n assisting lo initiate the peace overtures for Ireland. The oversea Premiers will rotu’ii to their own countries charged with ( personal messages from his M-vie-f--Tbe King is the pivot of Empire in the political sense, just as the Premiers * arc the links of Empire. Tt is pleasant indeed to have so strong a chain and so "firm a pivot holdfng .lie Empire intact. | i Patience is a virtue of special excellence, and the mention just now of the i’.ffnirs if Ireland suggest that- it ia still necessary to exercise the greatest pn- j Hence iii re«nrd to fhe outcome of the

* be well if we all exercised the fullest faith in the final outcome to the situa--1 tion. Our whole stability as a nation, politically and commercially, rests on faith—confidence —for that is the very foundation in the maintenance of national discipline. We must respect law and order, and that we can do only by exercising confidence —which is faith—in our leaders. It is till too soon to attempt to study the pros and cons ol the Irish settlement. Those in haste over the matter, those lacking patience, are trying to do s°, but without success. The present apparent confusion becomes worse confounded il we try and reason out tilings as they are supposed to be with the present incomplete data before us. There are signs of hope, reasons lor faith and confidence, and those signs justify the patience which the whole nation should exercise. It would lie a great piece of news to flash round the world that the Irish question is settled! If, also, it should not be, wo shall know it lias failed not for the want of a generous attempt, nor for an effort which called up the full spirit of sacrifice. Failure rrnlly is unthinkable, because it would be such a disaster, and would carry in its train a set of circumstances more deplorable than we have vet known. So we must trust the authorities to the fullest extent, and wlrere we do not see eye to eye with the actions of some people, let us remember that upon them rests a great responsibility, and make our allowance’s accordingly, patiently in full faith, and believing impli -illy in them confidently.

1i is countrymen have done honour to Mr David l.loyd George, Prime Minister ol Great Britain, by unveiling a, week ago. a statue of himself in his honour at Carnarvon. It wag a happy choice to select his countryman .Premier from Australia to perform the act of unveiling. Tho Welsh people are naturally very cliinish. They occupy but a small portion of the United Kingdom, but they people it closely, and throughout the centuries they have kept their nationality intact. The account of the ceremony at Carnarvon supplied this week indicates that great and well deserved tributes were paid to the little Welshman Mr Lloyd George represents Carnarvon Borough in Parliament, being elected thereto by a sweeping majority of fully 13,000 votes. Naturally lie is something of an idol among bis own people. To see him amongst his countrymen at their national gatherings is to find him very much at home and idolised. Long be-

fore be reached the zenith of bis political power, and when but a Commoner, lie held great sway with his people. Gifted speaker its he is, in the English tongue, ho requires to lx> heard in his mother tongue to see how his rhetoric can sway a Welsh audience. The language is more elastic than the English, tin idiosm wider in meaning and mote cvpressivo of thought, and a. finished speaker Ims a less labourious task to make bis points. Naturally the Welsh people love their countryman, and it is but proper that the honour done him at Carnarvon should not be posthumous, It bits becui well said of the British Prime Minister that he is a great historic figure. Britain called find le was the nfttn for the hour of crisis, and weathering every storm has remained in cilice through the most strenuous years of tho country’s greatest trials, both nationally and internationally.