The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY MARCH 24th., 1922. WAR IN HISTORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY MARCH 24th., 1922. WAR IN HISTORY.

Wiiii.e one would be most ready to | agree with the desire of Private Peat, as expressed at his recent lecture here, that war might be less extolled in history, it would be difficult indeed to convey the sequence of events in the history of any country, without some referuco to the development*} which followed as the result of successive wars. War has been essential in Che making of history, for it was the means whereby mankind imposed their will. From the earliest times might ruled as right, and it was not till civilisation began to evolve that a saner view was taken, and right became enthroned. But there were always breaks away from the accepted conditions—-and the latest and greatest illustration was the Groat War itself. That was not the result of any love for war. It was the result of an overwhelming ambition to rule, and to impose authority. When treaties were torn up and Huropc plunged into a state of turmoil, the avarice and desires were all on one side. The enemy possessed an unquenched ambition, which could he stayed only by a homoeopathic cure. What he sought to do, had to be done by others, or they could be numbered with the vanquished and reduced to a state of serfdom. It was a matter of self-pioservation with the Allies, and so they plunged into war. There are always at least two ro a fight and wars in the past generally sprung from causes bound up with the vanities of human nature. The wars of modern times from, down-

wards wore from c auses which play a notable part in real history. After all, history is an account of the origin an'3 progress of a nation and no nation has been without ii.t belligerent periods, whether external or internal. Indeed, some of the fieicost lights have come from within, and the outcome has helped to mould history. In all the wars, once the fray is in motion, the parties naturally become .villing fighters, because it is a case of survival of the fit-

test. The light keen as it grows, brings out certain attributes of the people, and these traits of character glorify war. it is noble indeed to seo the unselfish sacrifice of comrade for comrade. There is the ignoble too.

There is the treachery and deceit practiced and that is the inglorious sitlu of war. But there is a glorious side to war, that which brings out all that is brightest and best, not only in the man, but in the nation. Mr Real referred to the Ypres fighting, this was an instance where from the British point of view, the war was specially glorified. The British were outnumbered, and outgunned. They were almost overwhelmed but they knew they had to hold oil to their posts and every unit including noncombatants, was brought into action, and the British in face of the terrible odds, held on. It was a glorious scene jn the teniblc drama of war, a scene which gave but proof again of British pluck and endurance in the face of feartu] odds. And is not the nation proud ut these traditional fighting trials? Ah through British history there are examples of this splend,id ’.spirit in the face of great odds. Mr Beat, mentioned also the Charge of the Light Brigade—there, likewise, British pluck accomplished the impossible. At an awful cost certainly, but only with characteristics of Anglo-Saxon traditions that are our greatest treasure in all history. The story of our national history is of necessity crowded with war episodes but the nation would'not stand to-day where it dues, hut for the prowess of the race in battle. War is a necessary evil which lias to be faced at. times and it is the greatest makt‘ r of history, j Mr Beat pleads for an ideal which is : impossible at this juncture KowoveV much it may commend itself as a ri and proper national aspiration.

Thk control of industry is one of the chief planks n itli extreme Labour, and in the late conference in Australia the subject cropped up apropos of the manning of the new Common wealth boats now reaching Australia. The Government is having considerable difficulty about the manning of the ships because the Seamen’s Union is objecting to English unionists being aboard. Mr Hughes Prime Minister of Australia, preside,) at the conference between employers and employees which lately ended abortively, and the following reported discussion on the subject of control of industry, as detailed by a local newspaper, sets out the situation very clearly: Mr Hughes: You say in one part of your proposals that the workers inusrt have an effective share of control. That must be read in conjunction with the clause saying you must control it. Mr Voight.: Wv say “effective share.” Mr Hughes: Well, ‘‘effective share”—/is

not that an economic term meaning yether? Mr Voight: We have no share in the control of industry. Mr Hughes: You say that? Well, here are the Moreton Bay and Largs Bay They cost' a million and a quarter of money. We are told that unless we run these ships in the way the Seamen’ Lnion says they will not leave Australia. If that is not control of industry, what is? What ( .an I do.' Merely tie up the ship.‘l and. (lose money. The Seamen’s Union sends down men and says: “You will have these men or have none,” and throw the English unionists out into wind. Mr Howie protested that the Seamen’s Union was only asking , an agreement with the Federal Government should he carried out. Mr Hughes: When a man Git high comes to me with a gun I say: ‘‘Yes, sir.” Aon say it is an agreement. Whatever they got, they got- at the point of a gun. When you get into power you are bowelless tyrants, and have no idea of justice. Here is the people’s money socialised. How do you treat it. There is only one form of justice in this world apparently—the justice of the big stick. Mr Hughes’ remarks were both very plain and illuminative j,nd bis concluding statement probably fits the position all too accurately. With extreme labor, might is right. Where they can seek to impose their will on the conditions irrespective of the la.w or decent order. They are without compas- j sion and their justice is that of the ' big stick, the power to enforce their demands irrespective of what is fair , and right to the community at largo. To that extent they make no bones about controlling not only ind,ustry but everything else when the opportunity serves and the public are beginning to realise the course of events

There is quite a pleasurable revival in outdoor sport. Football which flourished so well last season premises to

bn equally popular this year; Cycling aiid above all, athletics, are being taken up actively, and there is the promise of healthy competition at the Easter 1 meeting on Cass Square. The ladies are again reviving hockey locally, and there is the suggestion that winter games will be pursued very actively. 4 lie prowess of our young men in the athletic field is worth noting. Steele of Kumara and O’Callaghan of Ross, iiow 1 residing hi Greymouth, were in the , forefront of the foot racing at Christchurch Inst week. Thei r success will be an incentive to other young men I to seek to emulate tlieir fine record, j George, the Christchurch cyclist, now 1 residing at Hokitika, brought honor to the local Cycling Club by appropriating the chief cycling Championship at the | Lancaster Park meeting. George is it j well tried rider, and his first b'g win , in the cycling world was in the 1912-13 i season when he won the North Can- : terbury road derby for which he holds the coveted blue ribbon. Sport and , pastimes are a healthy form of rccreaI tion for our young men and women, and it is good to see thc-m organising for an active winter season. That is reason enough to hasten the prepara- , i-' Oll °f Cass Square for all fieid sports and to see that the field of play is enlarged by taking in tho eastern half, ! hitherto unplayable, With senior uild 1 junior football teams and ladies’ hoc- ; key teams, all the playing room avail- : able should be brought into requisition and the Borough Council should not longer delay in the appointment of an efficient caretaker for the grounds, so ■ that the scheme for its fuller utility 1 and embellishment may be brought to t pass without further procrastination, j The various clubs are now busy organij sing and it is to be hoped an active, j busy season will be before them.