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Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1922, Page 2

Tun analogy which has been drawn between the South African confederation and Ireland in regard to the settlement of the racial disputation, is further accentuated by tile march of events surrounding the gradual adjustment of matters by the almost tragic denth of the Irish President (Mr Arthur Griffith). The history of the South African settlement records in the early crucial period tho no loss sudden demise of General Botha, who like Griffith, rose superior to-personal feelings and thought, and worked only for the advantage of the nation. The tribute which the British Urimo Minister has paid the memory of the late Arthur Griffith, generous and spontaneous ns it was, gives full measure of the late President’s work. The Irish question hnd reached a crisis when only strong leadership could save the nation from utter disaster. The time and the hour had struck for a decisive step, and Griffith was the leader among those who had the foresight to see what was needed, and the courage to go through the task. Once putting his hand to the task he never faltered. There was occasion enough for him to swerve from the path of duty he was following. Former comrades took a more extreme and opposite course, and hod behind them a notable following. It was no mean trial which Griffith and his comrades hnd to pass through. But they were resolute and loyal to tbe new order of events, and this resolution and loyalty so conspicuous in their leader Mr Lloyd George has praised so generously. The passing of Arthur Griffith at this juncture is very unfortunate for Ireland, but his example and his worth to Ireland are perhaps more accentuated by his death, and in that connection it is at once a lesson and an inspiration for the nation. He died in harness, his dbaith no dmibt hastened by the strenuous duty he was performing. The cable nows indicates how much his work is being revered.

The Groat Reaper has claimed nnothor notable figure on the Empire horizon—- ■ Viscount Xorthcliffe—the groat ambas-

sador of the “Fourth Estate.” lord Northcliffe was a member of the Harmsworth family, so notable in the publishing world. He was the founder of the London “Daily Mail” in 1896, that remarkable half-penny journal which made such strides in England and abroad, and enjoyed a daily circulation of far above a million even when the price was doubled as a result, of the war conditions. Lord Northcliffe was also the chief proprietor of “The Times”, the great newspaper mouthpiece of the nation. He was a man of many parts

and of great achievements. He took a great imperial interest in the promotion of aviation prior to the war, offering huge prizes for various exploits which assisted greatly to develope flying. He founded a great newspaper producing

plant in Newfoundland, and was intensely imperial in his views. In the • war time he became Director of Pro- | pagenda in enemy Countries, and is credited with performing no mean work by helping to win the war by the par- , ticular channel through which he de- , voted his services. His wealth and influence lie used for Empire service, and wts not slow to attack those in high places who., his own ideas clashed with

the progress of events. Latterly he made an Empire tour almost in the guise of an ambassador of Empire,, and was received almost like royalty wherever he touched. His mission a s

he believed in it, was very thoroughly done. He was a free lance with ideals he expressed per medium of his newspapers with all possible emphasis. His removal takes from us a notable figure a man of conspicuous parts who shone fearlessly and untiringly for what he conceived, to he the shortest cut to a given point affording the greatest good for the greatest number.