The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1922 THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1922 THE WEEK.

Tub United Kingdom is now completely in tin* throes of the some time expected general election. The event is going to have a marked effect on tlio Empire’s general policy, which in turn must alfect the werlil at large. Tlio British Empire alone of all the Powers is the host aide to affect the foreign policies generally in vogue, and come weal or woe in the present election, there is almost sure to lie a special revision of (treat Britain’s foreign policy. Even matters of moment rs (outcomes of the war. including probable revisions of treaties, are sure to come up for very serious review. The European policy of Britain in ) articular will be overhauled. The late Xear East situation in which French tactics left Britain alone, has opened the eyes of the people at Home to the complexities of the Allied intercourse, and the situation is sure to be reviewed in the light of late experiences. France has been gloating over the “fall” of Mr Lloyd George, but events are now shaping a course that will create a now situation in which British decisions will be governed by the voice of the people, and mit by the desire of the Coalition to lx? all things to all men. Franco and her affairs will lie viewed from a. different standpoint, altogether. So. Loo, with regard to Germany, British opinion lias long been shaping for a revision of the treaty terms which it is being recognised in the best informed circles are beyond fulfilment. If the elections endorse that principle France, which contributed largely to Mr Lloyd George being ousted from office, will stand alone if she wishes to exact tlip uttermost farthing from the enemy.

Tjie most important phase of the British dections will ho that revolving around* domestic affairs. During the war and since, the affairs outside the Kingdom have eclipsed internal affairs, but the position of trade, the lock of ernplojujlfut. pud t>hf negjoofed dop)f??-

tic problems have all become accentuated, and these will claim more and more of the public attention. Britain was allowed to stand alone in the late Eastern situation, and Britain with her wealth and power, and independence will not he desirous of going on indefinitely pulling the chestnuts out of the fire for others, to the neglect of her own concerns. If as will probably transpire following the elections of next month at Home, England decides to mind her own business and lttave the affairs of others to themselves when serious liability is involved; if, in fact, Britain pursues a negative p Iky akin to that of the United States, which could so much better afford than Britain to take some part in policing the world at large, there will he more time and attention for purely domestic concerns, and the House of Commons can have a very full hand over an extended period. Britain owes it to herself to pay more attention to internal matters than she has devoted of late years. A policy of action and not «f compromise with regard to trade and employment and public betterment is now well due, and the election . in process is shaping towaids that de- ' finite goal. The course of events sur- • rounding the contests will supply food j for thought for those abroad who have been ready to condemn England, even while readily leaning on. if not. snp- ■ ping her national strength. It will he o period of disillusionment for such and the enlightment should be o! sonic benefit to Europe as a whole.

The political quidnuncs at Home are busy trying to peer into the future and realise what the elections will disclose. They will not have long to wait for full realisation. But the contest at this juncture is completely obscure, for there never was an occasion when matters political among the parties were more at “sixes and sevens.” The Tories are somewhat sharply divided into two main camps. The Liberals

are practically in three camps. Labor alone is the most cohesive as a party. But the tarn of events will bring the partitioned parlies closer together. Disunity "will not be helpful at the polls, but the misfortunes to arise will he of some service in bringing the divergent portions more in unison, and it may he expected when Parliament reassembles, the definition of party

lines will be more in accord with prewar conditions. In tlio late developments, Mr Lloyd George must be credited with playing the game, for he gave way to the dominant partner in the Coalition, permitting that section

to go to the country according to its own choice as a concrete power. Notwithstanding Mr Lloyd George is the most conspicuous figure in the fray,

and he still holds the futuro largely in his keeping. He has had a long term of office, and could judge clearly what

it meant to go on longer without a mandate from the people. The posi-

tion of affairs in Europe in particular had reached such a stage that the national control was hardly for the Cabinet—a mixed Cabinet at that—to determine. It was necessary for the people to give a lead, and that opportunity the coining election is to afford.

Events have been trending to the inevitable appeal to the people for some time. The English newspapers havo contained many pointers in that direction A couple of months ago an article appeared in the ‘‘Manchester Guardian” signed by ‘‘A Parliamentary Supporter”. The writer of that article prophesied that “ere long Mr Lloyd George is bound to make a definite move.” and he went on to suggest that the most logical move would he a retirement from office, which would absolve Coalition Liberals from their allegiance to the Coalition. “Tn the event of such a declaration and action on his part.” the “Guardian” writer continues, “the probability is that a Conservative Administration would the formed with either Mr Honor Law or Mr Austen Chamberlain as Prime Minister. One might quite safely predict that the retirement of the Prime Minister would only be temporary and that no power <m earth could prevent Air Lloyd George, no longer Prime Minister, from becoming the leader of the Opposition and therefore eventually the leader of the United Liberal Party. I venture to tliink that if Air Lloyd George goes into temporary retirement —and soon—the reunion of the Liberal Party would in a short time lie an accomplished fact.” There follows a discussion of the elements of the political situation in Britain. It is argued that the virtual stultifying of the Liberal Party as an entity during the last eight years has resulted in a large recruitment for tlio Labour Party. Tlio industrial electors are “deserting in battalions” to the Labour Party because there is no Liberal Party and no Liberal leader. Tie thinks that with Mr Lloyd George as a leader the Liberal Party can be rehabilitated. It is not. unlikely that Mr Lloyd George shares that view, as a contemporary remarks. How he will make his peace with Air Asquith and Sir Donald APLean is a matter for conjecture. But the facts as represented by the most reliable section of the British Press are | that the country is sick of the Coa- : litiou, to which all the political evils I of the times are ascribed, and that the electors will welcome an election in j which political principles will pity a ‘ more important part than coupons. If that is the position then Air Lloyd George has a great opportunity. Everything will depend oil how he uses it. and to what end.

; “Geoaminu still champion” was the ■ caption which recorded the result of the Champion race at Trontham on Laj bor Day. An account of the race says j that there were six runners in the Champion Plate the stakes being £I,OOO. Gloaming saddled up well, . and the race w«s regarded as an exer- ’ cise gallop for him. ft proved so, hut it was much more severe than his supj porters thought, for Whining Hit had : him doing his best until the last furlong, when the champion forged ahead. ; Enthusiasm sot a very fast pace and j followed by Winning Hit, Gloaming, ! and King’s Trumpeter she led down the back and into the straight. Two furlongs from home Gloaming and Winning Hit joined the leader and the filly shortly afterwards gave way, but it was not till well inside the last furlong that Winning Hit was emiqnprod, T}ie chajppioii won bjy a Jopgtli, while

Enthusiasm was the same distance away. King's Trumpeter was fourth. The winner’s times were: Two furlongs, 26 l-ssce; three furlongs 38 2-5 sec.; half-mile, 49sec.; six furlongs, 1 min. losec.; mile Imin. 41 l-ssec.; full distance 2min. 6 1-5. This is not Gloaming’s host time for the mile and a quarter distance, which is 2min sJsocs. put up at Rand wick. The great rival, Heauford has done the journey in 2min 3'Ssees—also at Rand wick. The great Carbine’s record for the distance was 2min. Tsecs. The fastest time in the Commonwealth States and New Zenland, strange to say, was done by Winning Hit which at Riccarton last year ( recorded 2inin. 3 l-ssecs. Winning [ Hit ran second to Gloaming on Mon- [ day. The record for the Hokitika course, if not for the Coast, was Rose Pink’s time of 2min. 8J secs, which is . not an odious comparison by any means. Gloaming is now one of the great assets of New Zealand. As an ndvertisI ing medium of the Dominion the raceI horse is easily our greatest aid, for the prowess of Gloaming is now known far and wide. Gloaming like Carbine of old is a very consistent performer. ' There is nothing of the flash in the pan but a genuine trier doing ’most nnyI thing be is called on to do. Gloaming i.s one of the great horses of the times | and bis outstanding merit reflects greatly to the credit and renown of I New Zealand wherever sports do con--1 gregate to discuss the equine champions of the day.