The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY. DEC. 16th, 1922. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY. DEC. 16th, 1922. THE WEEK.

Tim value of Mr Lloyd George’s special articles in au English paper is being apprised for the special reason that they convey from the source best able to’elucidate many points, m very clear view of international issues which have grown out of the war pe.ibd. In his own country the ex-Prime Minister lias munv extremist critics. Those opposed to him in polities have been almost violent in their criticism. But even from within his own party, the radicals had no love for lus policy. In France there was a determined set against Mr I.loyd Georg,e because he was not toady nor pliable in affording France any,easy way to obtain revenge upon Germany.’ In other quarters, too, there was much unfriendly criticism passed upon Mr Lloyd George, and naturally one so full of fight as he. could not sit still under an undeserved stigma. or least of all. remain passive while' Britain was being wrongly blamed lor her attitude on international questions. As has been indicated, Sir Lloyd George is the fountain source for the most direct explanation and review of the European situation, and as Ims been remarked, his reply to the milies has been both eloquent and impressive. The first article dealt with the French attitude, which Britain through its government, of which Mr Lloyd George was head, could not approve. It is interesting to recall that though now there is a new government and a new Prime Minister. Mr BonarJ.aw in essence is taking the same view of the aspirations of France that Mr Lloyd George did. This is cold comfort for the French, hut the confirmation of the Georgian view gives point and interest to the articles which review the situation from close range, and which because of the stern arraignment of the facts, lias made the French press and the volatile French statesmen angry again. It is due to Mi Lloyd George to say that his review of the position is illuminating for the public at a time when it is most desirable for the public to understand the facts and to realise exactly the why and wherefore of the British policy.

However helpful Mr Lloyd George’s statement of the case maybe, it is at least satisfactory to find that the general outlook for the immediate future of European affairs is more hopeful that it lias been for some time. The recent London conference of Premiers in regard to the reparations although not reaching exactly a conclusive point, the official report made it clear that a settlement was possible. Again, the negotiations on behalf of America, indicate that the United States is at last disposed to come into the financial question, and to adopt a. course which will he helpful, rather than negative, in the desire to achieve a finality. The Balfour Note is to ho scrapped according to all accounts. Tlrt does not lipccssnpily sot’pd fail-

ure, for the Balfouir Note has served a good purpose in openly demonstrating the bona tides of Great Britain, and the readiness and ability of the country to do the right thing by her debtors. It gave also, the assurance to the United States that Britain was not disposed to escape payment of her own liabilities to America, and that since the issue oi the Note and iirespeetive of that important document, j Britain has gone on discharging me- ’ thodically her financial obligations to the States. Finance, of course, is the determining factor in reaching a period of international tranquility in Europe. I- It is the one string, for instance, that 'the belligerent M. Poincare harps o'i in regard to the French attitude. It ij s the particular stumbling block which 1 keeps matters in a ferment in Germany ' t—..inkn beset bv her incubus

of war debt. The settlement of the reparations and the inter-Allied debts is therefore of the greatest importance all round. Conferences have been ic.llowing in rather rapid rotation of Lte, hut the day of settlement cannot he put off indefinitely, nor in fact much longer. It would appear that the new year will see some bargain arrived at. and its adoption will he a welcome event indeed, for it will he the beginning of the end of Europe’s present reign of difficulty and even despair cahsed by the complicated nature of the financial tangle. The inauguration of the Irish Free State Parliament was happily accomplished during the week, The King’s message through the first representative of the Crown—Governor General 1 Ilealy—-was happily pitched and gracefully acknowledged by the GovernorGeneral. The phrasing of the official

language was nil that' could be desired, I breathing and promising loyalty to the Throne. Mr Healy’s reference to the poliev of the Government did liot indicate a state of any internal unrest in the country. The Government is to proceed with purely domestic matters, dealing with boundaries, franchise and establishing a national administrative system. It all augured well for the future of Parliament which has at its head men who have proved their loyalty in a very set and determined manner. During the week General Mulcaliy has been warmly eulogised by a press correspondent for his action in upholding the Constitution against fill (Kids. The prompt action of the Free State Government in imposing desperate reprisals for the assassination of •i Free State member of Parliament appears to have had the desired effect, Th murders have ceased—at all events

for the time being. The miscreants are resorting to house burning as n new method of Vengeance, but it is plain the Government will not allow the auarehial party to go too far in that direction. before imposing remedial measures. The Republicans profess t*> be devoted to their cause, and not prepai* ml to submit to constitutional authority on any account. They are taking up the position of outlaws, and in that

category cannot hope to make any real advance for the cause they have at heart. They are now up against a constitutional form of Government directed by their own countrymen—many of them their former comrades in arms. Tf they do not see any hope of justice for Ireland from such a fountain of authority, then indeed is the cause of Ireland beggared. But the indications are more hopeful than that and the course of events is shaping satisfactorily if very slowly.

The general trend of. the comment on the liquor, question as revealed by the late referendum appears in the direction of calling a halt in the frequency of the appeals to the public. A clergy-; man in the North Island, who will he credited with approaching the subject with an open mind, and speaking quite impartially, has put the matter rather well during the week. There is no doubt the country would welcome a vest on the matter. Many parliamentary candidates would be equally pleased if the licensing poll was disassociated with the period of the general election. The licensing issues bring in many cross currents which affect both the parliamentary and option pulls unduly, and do not give the opportunity for that degree of considered opinion which should be indulged in. 'Apart from tlie American experience of applied prohibition, wo have been always against prohibition, because it is, in our opinion, inherently opposed to the freedom and welfare of the people. The Amorenn opinion has accentuate! this to our own mind, and made our view point doubly sure. The Revd. Taylor who would seek for gradual reform along tempera nee lines, is quite on the right course, and if the churches would work in that way instead of lor extreme action by some short cut to prohibition, the public advantage would lie the greater. It is noticed that the Prohibition party which states it has started already on its next enm- ' paign, is going to agitate for the elimination of the State purchase and control issue. If this he so, this is a distinct breach of faith, because the party | accepted tlie issue as a quid pro quo for the abolition of the three-fifths mni jority and the winning of a hare ma--1 jority, which was considered n great | victory at the time. But despite this J advantage the party has not achieved l success, and now wants some further concession. Public opinion will he against any such action because the State issue is a useful phase of the question as a half-way house and the increasing vote in that direction shows its popularity. Really tlie matter has now been voted on so thoroughly over so many years that it is not unreasonable to seek for an amendment to the ! law whereby a surer tenure will he I given the trade, a factor which would j be of the greatest moment to ensure '-internal reforms altogether satisfying j to the general public.

The seamen’s strike—lor such it is—is continuing its course and. the sentences caused is now coming home to the seamen themselves. This was inevitable. A Christchurch telegram on Thursday indicated how the pinch was being felt by the voluntarily unemployed -Seamen at Lyttelton. This, however, is the least objectionable phase of the unfortunate situation. The seamen appear to he receiving what was the natural consequences of their stupid act. The other side of the ques. tion is that so many people are inno-

cently suffering with tlieni; The holding up of tne ocean transport is making itself felt here, where tlit sawmilling industiy is brought to a standstill practically/ The range of timber on the skids and at the mills is the result of the shipping hold-up, and the cause is not local. Short as orders have been of late, they are still ample enough to keep the wheels of industry moving, if transport were normal. That it is not so, is to he laid at the door of the seamen who by their action, have laid up so many cargo carriers, and who are holding up the Australian export because of the complications likely to arise in those waters, if a timber laden vessel with a volunteer crew entered an Australian poit. What the seamen hope to gain by prolonging the present inoperative conditions is not at all clear. In trying to harm others, they have themselves been beggared. They

are losing time and opportunity which they can never make up. Industry is clogged and markets are being lost, which might not he recovered again for years. They are hitting brother workers all over the Dominion, and dislocating trade in such a way that the effect is adverse to most struggling families through rising prices. It is a crass line of action, throwing away the substance for the shadow of something which will not not materialise. But this is an age old experience now. It is not peculiar to New Zealand or Australia. Labor hadiv led has had the ! si'imc negative results in Britain and other countries, hut there are none so blind as those who will not see, none so ignorant as those who will not understand.