The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, MAY 20th, 1922. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, MAY 20th, 1922. THE WEEK.

Ttik «In tiiwork lias boon made ut oilt-

standing importance to the district because ol the holding "l the AA intei

School here. It is an ariram-e 111 educational mailers which this district can well .ilford to cultivate. The rising geueialion ol Westland hew done well

s< hulas 1 tea Ily over a long term of years. Many of the leading men ill New Zea-

land tli-day at tile head of professions and industries passed through the local schools. The head of the Public Works Department was a dux of the Hokitika State School, and malty other names cah be reddled of young men who have gone far in the public and conlmercial life of the country, to the credit of the district which cradled Them. 111 connection with this week’s scliool we have had with Us several of the learned professors of Canterbury College, and it is indeed pleasing to learn that the piesent generation passing through their scholastic career are the greatest credit to their home towns. Two ol the most promising young men at Canterbury College now graduating hiiil from Hokitika, while a third is of Ross. This is a record distinctly creditable to the place and shows what can bo done The people here by every means possible should afford facilities for a wider diseinanation of matters educational. The visit which concluded to-day, will, we believe, leave behind effects which will have the greatest value on the training of the young. The school teachers who were fortunate enough to sit at the feet of professor Shelle y during the week and drink in his ideas about modern educational methods must stored up much winch will inti lienee them for all time in their professional work among'the rising generation.

The school teachers patronised the School in better numbers than the farmers. The loss was that of the latler, The lecturers on fanning topics hnd much knowledge to impait. Science must play a great part in the advancement of every branch of agi iciilture, and it would he helpful for all who ale pursuing one branch or other of farm work, to glean first hand from the experts various points of information dealing with their every day surroundings. Nor were the lecturers all a matter of dry detail. The speakers in their main address put all they could into the hour allotted them, hut at the close there was the discussion on details, and all could ask questions dealing with any local problems. It was in this manner that so much direct value was got out of the instruction, and the regret is that the hall instead of being sparsely filled, was not crowded to oveillowieg. The numerous farmers who missed the opportunity of attending the School, lost a golden opportunity to gain special instruction of a high class nature. However, we hope the Winter School will become a recurring event. The value it will be to the district is the occasion for our desire to see the opportunity enjoyed to the fullest. The period of the School was really a time of recreation for those who attended. There was nothing severe or dogmatic about the lecturers. They were all anxious to be in the closest touch with their classes, and the happy spirit pievaiimg shows how well they succeeded. The week had much to be appreciated, and one of the most pleasing aspects of all, was the bond existing between all associated with the School work.

Tiik attention devoted to economics during the week should prove of the highest value to all who paid regard to the instruction. 111 Professor Cuiulliffe and Mr Belshuw the local uudionces heard two of the gentlemen who are the foremost exponents of economics in the Dominion. Their instruction was solid and most valuable in affording new outlook upon the finances of the country and the future elements counting for the material success which is to return the country to the comfortable times of prosperity again. Although the statement was not new, it was none the less alarming to lie reminded again of the private debt of the country in regard to its lauds. 111 times past there were political battles royals on the issues of freehold and leasehold, and outwardly the former won hands down. But with upwards of 99 per cent of the land mortgaged bv tile freeholders, can we say that there is any real freehold in the Dominion at all! The alleged freeholder is working for the lending institutions all the time. They are the actual freeholders, ipid hold the deeds and fee simple. AA’e I'ftimot help thinking that if those who rushed freehold land and burdened u«mseive» with hear,v

charges had been content to succeed modestly with a leasehold title, they would have less burden to bear in difficult times, and many who bought at high prices would not have been left OH the pinnacle of high Costs when the slump came. The travail freeholders are passing through just nOw, is the strongest example (and the most unfold innate) which eoujd he put for Wald tb the detriment of the freehold fallacy.

The lighter side of the School as marked by the evening lectures, was of special general interest. The lecture, s were capable men and for many a day we will carry grateful memories of the field of instruction and entertainment cover, cd by Professors Shelley and Condliffe in their illuminating addresses on the educational subjects dealt with. AVe get far too little of the elevating address here. There is a palpable lack nf this class of information, Or the means to pursue it. The time is overdue when a library and debating society should be tecised for mental training of the individual. These societies and the com petitions which they may foster, imolving excursions into the best literature of the times, open and widen the mind, and create a love for good reading which is the pathway to rt fuller knowledge and understanding. Pnlessor Shelley’s addresses in re.q.'ict to | the drama and Shakespeare were much j enjoyed, while Professor COhdlilie’s adi dress in regard to the Midr’e Ages in England, supplied history in a very attractive form, The Canterbury promo* j ters of Ike Winte r School expressed ' their satisfaction with the initial reI suits, The people of this district are | much beholden to them fob their invnlu. j able help in securing the opening sre- [ cess. There has been some remark I about the date, but that has to Ire left to the visiting lecturers and the local people have so much to gain froin the advent of our Christchurch friends, that they could afford to make the date fit in, if given reasonable notice of the next school fixture.

The late tension at Genoa lias ended in what is practically a stalemate so far a- results are concerned. A contemporary points out that this is partly explained h.v the fact that France refuses lu recognise the Soviet Government of Russia until it pays the debts of the Cz.irist Government. The conference lias beeli deliberating for- live wdfiks and this point has coibc to the front time and again, leading to clash of hosti.e argument accompanied by threats of a complete split iimiilirs the Allied statesmen. Great, Britain’s aim has never been clearer. She wishes Russia restored to a place in the European family of nations anil she is willing to make concessions the very hint of which raises astonishment and fire in Paris. In the crisis of the past week-end France was again aggressive. Her icpresentaive, M. Barthou, refused to discuss the Russian suggestion that a mixed commission should he set up to deal with the three questions of private property, debts and credits. Evidently carrying out to the letter the policy advocated by M. Poineaire, “the most stubborn figure in the world’s affairs,” M. Barthou firmly objected to Russian representation, and it is apparent that the difference of opinion between, himself on the one hand and tire representative of England on the other has dwarfed all other considerations. Europe is full of distrust and the snarling among the nations increases.

Russia, Germany and France to-day stand more or less prepared for war, enemies of peace, with little inclination to deal patiently with their neighhours. France, with growing suspicion, and growing demand for safeguards, maintains a front not calculated to impress her friends. Even in Paris, there is doubt as to the wisdom of the attitude adopted by her representatives. Commenting on ah earlier situation, "L’Oeuvre” said:—“lyet Ms Poineaire be not deceived. Never has public opinion in France been more in contradiction with the newspapers supposed to represent it. The majority of the French people will not have war at any price, Or oil any pretext. No reasonable Frenchman can fail to perceive that France’s present policy of provocation is inevitably tending towards another butchery. Is it not enough that 1,500,000 Frenchmen lie dead?” Cabinets in France have been known to collapse with dramtic suddenness. A development of that kind may reduce present dangerous possibilties to a minimum. If, on the other hand, the viewpoint of ju. Poineaire threatens to go on keeping Europe in the shadow of catastrophe plain warnings from British and American statesmen seem the best method of restoring sanity. France ought to be told the risks that attach to sabrerattling.