The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, DEC. 15th. 1921. THE FOUR POWER AGREEMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, DEC. 15th. 1921. THE FOUR POWER AGREEMENT.

It having become a opinion, anil very likely n correct one, that till* international danger zone lnul shifted from the North Sea to the Pacific, the Four Power Agi cement, recently detailed in the eable news, says the Lyttelton Times, has profound significance for Australia and New Zealand. Subject to ratification by the contracting parties, tli is agreement will have the effect of cancelling the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, and from that time Britain, America, France and Japan will respect and mutually protect one another's interests in the Pacific. Thus, the agreement hears the promise of a considerable assurance ol peace in that part of the world where prominent statesmen and publicists have apprehended danger. This appears to us to lie a remarkable and a splendid outcome of the Washington Conference, and should have a great inlluenco upon the (piefition of disarmament, or at least the limitation of r.rninmcnts, A ppm';

o„ll. 111,- maker, -I «'» W™;"* have come, to a proper understanding as to China, and one that meets the views of that country's representatives. China’s integrity is to receive recognition. while protection is to be afford,.il against any scheming by another Power to undermine that integrity. On the face of it, the Four-Power Agreement is an enormous improvement upon the alliance which it will terminate upon ratification, and there is little observable ground for doubting that the work of the delegates will be approved by Parliaments of the contracting parties. To our mind, however, the outstanding fact, and the most inspiring, is that at last the two great English-speaking nations have come together and cemented their kinship in a pact that is intended to, as \vo hope and believe it will, substantially reduce the chances of war; and this pact is. of course, made much grander and stronger through hoing shared by the most civilised nation in Europe, and the most prominent, powerful and progressive one in Asia. Now Zealand in 'common with Australia has unquestionably lived more or less under the shadow of a menace which neither the statesmen nor the newspapers have cared to describe in very plain terms. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance was regarded by many people as an insurance against the development of that shadow into material form, but behind it- all there has remained u feeling of apprehension. The Four-Power Agreement has only to be ratified and honourably observed for the shadow which we have hinted at to entirely disappear. The sentiments upon which the agreement is established—the desire for peace and the determination to promote it, so that the mad competition in armaments may cease—are shared h v all sane people in a world that is intensely weary of wars and rumours of wars. Intensely weary, also of armaments and of paying for them. The Four-Power Agreement comes appropriately on the eve of Christmas. Ma v it prove a great and noble instrument for the preservation of peace. What must he accepted as a very satisfactory report in regard to the position affecting the South AVestland road bridges was presented at the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday night When the present financial stringency is considered, it must he admitted that the Government has been very fair in its treatment of the southern public works. At the same time the authorities have shown wisdom m promoting the works in question a: this juncture, for in a very short time now the through railway *,o the East Coast will be an fact and it is well to have impirta.it feeders of the line ready to carry the increased traffic which will result. Thj Midland railway will give South Westland direct outlet to an all year round market, This applies to all tho products from the south, and it is wise to have the communication with the south in the most serviceable order. Likewise, with traffic south, the volume will grow rapidly. Tho fame of tlie south with its many scenic attractions is going abroad, and tile railway will bring a steady stream of tourist traffic to the Coast. Much of it will be diverted south, and the better the means of communication, the greater the volume of traffic. It is pleasing to find only one of the larger streams now stands in need of attention This is a happy circumstance indeed and seems to show that matters are falling out very well for Westland just now. We have the folk outside singing our praises and bringing ns prominently under notice. The improving times are at hand, and the coming year, which it is Imped will see the principal road bridges south erected, should he a very important one for the whole community.

Titk County Council keeping pace with the times isr now agitating to open tho private railway line south of R.oss to the Waitaha, for public traffic. The 1 Council out of loan money is building a traffic bridge to connect the main south road with the. private tramway of Stuart and Chapman Ltd., so the country folk are doing their part in the general scheme of development. Tho connection desired over the private line would be a boon to the south people sending out their stock and dairy produce. This will increase in quantity as time progresses, and the southern | people utilise the Canterbury markets. | The south trade will therofore, be a | useful feeder to the railways which at ; th moment stand in need of increased , revenue. The department if alert to j the position will ico-operate, tabling | of course the business-like safe-guards , which present themselves in such matters. Tlie private tramway in course of construction will coon roach the first stage of its objective oil the southern extension, and presumably the line would then bo available for general transport work. It is well therefore to open negotiations with tho authorities so ns to adjust matters botiracs. The line while intended to promote

mi important industrial undertaking will thus bo of special service in helping settlement over a large area. The project undertaken by the millers is i very large one involving a heavy expenditure and seeing that the Government baulked at the work which private enterprise carried through there is a special reason why the people should not lie denied transport facilities but be assisted in every way possible bv the Government