Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1922, Page 2

ThKitk is tin 1 prospect tliis week of import it it t political events coming to pass in Client firitain. ’I In- newspapers have boon busy lor smile time pn.st endoavoring to work mi n situation in polities, and there is the eager anticipation on the pint of tile party press that the eventful time is at lmml. Air ( haniherlaiii is to speak to* day at Hirmingharn, where the name o! “Cliarnherlain” is a household word. As leader oi the Conservatives or Unionists, Air Chamberlain is first lieutenant to Air Idoyd Geo roe, the Urime Alinister, in the House of C ommons. Air Lloyd Geo roe is to speak to-morrow at .Manchester, and the newspapers attach some significance to the fixture. Naturally, following so soon alter his eliief Item-liman, there is the suggestion (hat samethino is stirring in political circles. Doth Air lionar Jiiiw and Air \sr ( nith hav> had

their “say” recently, and now that the Near I'.swtt position is el aring, respnnsihle .Ministers can speak with greater Irecdom in replying to their critics, and explaining to the peonle something of the intricate diflietilties through which they were passing. There is the further suggestion, that Air Lloyd George’s speech will foreshadow a now political situation which would mean the hreaking tin of the Coalition .Ministry and the return to Government, on strict party lines. The sittia tion is clouded in so much mystery and that the utterances of the two principal leaders in Parliament will he awaited with the deepest interest.

Tub visit of Afr AV. E. CPussyfoof) Tolipsotl the town io-day is sure tq

excite a good deal of curiosity to see ! one who has become a world celebrity. | The curiosity will doubtless be greater j than the interest in bis message fori the reason that Mr Johnson is what the London “Times” described as belonging to a class of professional prohibitionists. Still, that will not detract from his story, for lie will have a first-hand story to tell. According to a statement made to a Melbourne interviewer, Mr Johnson is not a “wowser.” He likes the stage; he used to attend race meetings, and lie enjoys outdoor sport. He claims he is not out to spoil sport, which is some relief to the average Englishman to whom sport is the salt of life. Mr Johnson comes on a missios aided by friends in America. In the recent past and in the immediate future a good deal is to be beard in New Zealand about the prohibition question in America, where to put it candidly, 1 lit? effect of prohibition in all its bearings. Jins two sides to the question. There will bo no doubt as to the ability of Mr Johnson to present the side- be espouses effectively so far as the delivery by an interesting address is concerned. The issue oil the question in this country seems to be evolving from the case for the enforcement of prohibition in Now Zealand to the defence of prohibition effects in the United States, and that instead of attack Mi- Johnson will r;,-,;:«re to be more on a defensive line as effecting bis own country, to carry the greatest amount of. conviction with the large audiences lie will meet in the Dominion .