Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1922, Page 2

One of tiu> most cbiispicuous figures on the political horizon at Home is undbuiitediy the Rt. HOll. A. J. Balfour Mr Balfour bos “work” well. He is old in the political service of Great Britain, and has a wonderfii record behind him. He lias done his country great service, and despite his years continues to be of outstanding service to the Eillpihe—if not the world at large. Mr Balfour lias lately returned ffbiii the Washington Conference, whereat he was one of the very conspicouous figures. For. his brilliant services at that historic conclave, the King has recognised his work personally. It was an honor well earned. When Mr Balfour returned a fortnight or so ago from America, and was acclaimed by his fellow parliamentarians Mr Lloyd George, who presided said Mr Balfour, above all otlier s at Washington, had helped to clear the skies. He had treated great problems in a great way. Mr Balfour had a nurd passionate love for his country. He Had won the honour and respect of the Empire atld the civilised world. He had won more than ever the trust and affection of his fellow-countrymen. Referring to the Washington agreement, I Mr Lloyd George said it reduced b-iif- ! derts ahd removed anxieties, hot merely ih Khginttd, the Empire, Australia and New Zealand but in ail lands. It was ohe of tb§ most conspicuous services rendered to humanity. Mr Balfour, ih i replying shid four months ago, nobody expected that the vast area of the Pacific Ocean in which anxiety, suspicion prepartion for possible wars, competing in expenditures and something ap- ' proaciiihg mutual fear were prevalent I would so soon change to cohditiohs urtI der which all those wretched symptoms j threatening the East with the horrors which had passed through Europe had completely ended, and the foundation had been laid on which any- great question might be settled. Mr Balfour added that the world owed an unaccountable debt of gratitude to the United States. Mr Balfour was one of the ‘‘big” men of England during the war. He did yeomen’s service in enlisting the practical help of the United States—a country where he is always highly honored. Mr Balfour is one of the assets of- the day, and despite his years, is fresh and. vigorous ready to serve his country at all times in the highet work of the Empire.

Lately at the instigation of some of the good people of the Kokatahi district a list for the Russian famine relief fund was opened at the Count'y Chambers but so far the first amounts acknowledged have not been supplemented from any other source. Th e list is to remain open for this month, at, the close of which the amount in hand will be forwarded to the Department of Interna] Affairs for remission to file proper European quarter. The genuineness of the appeal is beyond question. It will he recalled that last month in London, Dr Nansen, lecturing in the Central Hall, Westminster, said that would be his last desperate appeal to the British Government to assist Russia. How could other nations stand callously aside and allow twenty million Russians to die of starvation. The audipnee shuddered when Dr Nansen declared that he had the names of .

scores of Russian fathers and mothers who had killed their ehildfeh not ih order to end the children’s sufferings, but ifi order that the parents, might eat and live. They must, he said, be prepared to hear of cannibalism spreading. Within an area 100 miles by 600 miles of the Volga nineteen million out of thirty million people were ill danger of death fl‘om starvation, while teii millions must, inevitably die, whatever was now done. A story so appalling as this must move the world. Starvation is rampant. Russia, of course, is in a deplorable state, but that need not be discussed at this juncture The plight of the innocent people, the victims of the cruel leadership, which in four years has undone the work of four centuries in the matter of national stability, is b e yond question. Any relief must bio welcome, and will do service somewhere and assist a few units to resist the awful ravages of stark starvation. The call now is to humanity, ahd ho doubt some r e sponse will be made before the list is closed,