The Hokitika Guardian SATERDAY JANUARY 20, 1923. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATERDAY JANUARY 20, 1923. THE WEEK.

Fuanck is in the limelight ibis week holding the centre of the stage in the effort to extract reasonable reparations from Germany. There is a sharp division of opinion as to the wisdom of the action, and the ultimately possibility it that it may cost France to to collect £l. In the negotiations which Imve gone on heretofore in regard to reparations. Fiance lias held to her demands and disregarded all interests other than her own in relation to the problem for the financial reconstruction of Europe. So too in regard to disarmament. France has been careful to retain what must nowadays lie deemed to be a gigantic army of over 600,01‘9. The purpose of that army is now apparent, for France is riding like an all-conquering power over irate Germany. Fiance poses as a greatly wronged country, and we know she had a million and a half killed, over n million disabled, wan pensions for about three million and a half of people. Her public debt went up to nearly eight thousand millions, and ten of her important departments were devastated. Hut it has been pointed out that in her catalogue of wrongs arising out of the war, Franco invariably omits to state something of the other side; of the increase for instance in her national wealth due to the leeovery of Alsace Lorraine, which added a great tract of country, carrying upwards of two millions of population, and gave France added national wealth estimated at a thousand million. Then France had a

mercantile marine of 1.300,000 tons more than in 1913. Before the war •die was mainly an agricultural conncry. and her industries belonged, in a largo measure, to what might he termed the luxury group. She now appeared to have embarked upon a policy of intensive industrialisation, and hade fair to become in a few years, the second greatest producer of steel in the world. The fact could not lie ignored that if France remains in the Ruhr Valley, the control of that coalfield would fit in very well with her natural ambition to dominate the coal, iron and steel industries of Europe. France bad less than 100.000 unemployed, while Britain had 1.366.000. England depended upon imports of food for four and ft half days of every week, while France was practically self supporting I a

On tbe other hand as Colonel House had pointed out, it must l>e recognised that France felt that she was Uot in nearly so advantageous a position, as she was in 1914. Then she had a strong and militant Russia as her Ally ; she had Great Britain as a near Ally who afterwards proved a most potent one; she had Italy, and later she had the United States. To-day, she felt she could not count upon any of them—therefore, her sole reliance was upon her army. Her economic position made it inadvisable for her to maintain that army definitely. If France was to he persuaded not to do something drastic she must have some sort of security. but her potent Allies. Britain and United States could do not more than say “wait and see”. France would not wait, and she elected to go into Germany with an armed force, to see for herself, and impose her will for payment as circumstances served. She lias taken a decisive step which will bo history making. Britain ha* made it plain she cannot support the French excursion, which is likely to lie governed by the attitude of the. Germans themselves. France professes lwr readiness to go to Berlin if necessary. Well supposing Berlin streets resound to the march of the French military, what then? The cobble stones are not likely to reveal nnv hidden wealth. The I further France goes, the greater will | 1,0 the cost of the undertaking, and the less France can retrieve for tierself. while what can possibly remain I< u her sometime Allies will he a Well defined negative. France was not disposed to cut her loss and make the best of the bargain which was possible. She has elected to play the armed bailiff and realise what she can on the seizures. It is an expensive method of debt colleting, and may injure the collector most ol nil. Ihe relations with her best allies are openly strained, and there can be no easy return m lhe old feelings. France is likely to pay dearly for her action in more ways than one, and it she loses the respect of the -Allies themselves, millions would not measure the loss of such friends who in the hour of danger, were so practically sympathetic.

It is In-ill"; (lointcd out that since the passing of Mi Lloyd George from puwei- Europe is missing the dominating force which at. least held drastic notion in check, and was able in avoid open ruptures which were not good for tile pe.ice or prosperity of Europe. The ex-l’remier was against nay coercive action such as France is non taking, for he held the obvious view that it could not make foi the real peace of the continent. If there were mistakes in the past in regard to the reparations they erred on the side of clemency. A situation such as now prevails in Germany. was at least, avoided, and to that extent they erred safely. France is now seeking productive guarantees” which are going to he costly in Id lid. as also dearly bought in sentiment. Germany is being aroused probably as never before. Tile victories French ranging over Germany unchecked, is an affront to the national spirit which will feel the position keenly. The affront can never he wiped out in the German mind till the nilion is in a position to turn on France and administer probably a more hitter form of revenge. The arousing of such feelings does not count for the peace or economy of Europe, and in the present course of events we can sec civilisation in the future seriously menaced by a war of revenge. The continental spirit will wait tor the birth of the new “day” which will render national vengeance possible, and on broad grounds of humanity tile Froi'ch action is not to he approved. For the time being France is making ducks and drakes of the economic situation, and postponing more indefinitely than ever a financial settlement between Germany and the victorious Allies. The latter outside of France realise this very plainly, and all along have stood out from supporting the French action which is bringing upon Europe another avalanche of trouble which will beset the people for generations to come.

Ink Unman side of Hie Franco-Gormau |>->sition was touclied upon by an American journal two nr three nioiii!is ago, mid its remai as scum to hit off tlu- ordinary attitude of human nature in such a situation as has now arisen. The paiier said:- -‘‘The collection of reparations is an eminently practical proposition. It is right for France to get reimbursement to the last dollar of her reconstruction work, if that is possible. but in dealing with masses of people it is well to understand that the number who arc impelled to exertions bv any other motive than s It'-inlcrol. is ivgiigiblc. IVople don’t pay taxes willingly even to their own governments; they jay grudgingly, as the pri o of being free to make and keep a go ti deal more for themselves. All experience goes to show that great bodies of j nople cannot be coerced into making efforts and snerifh es' for what seems to them the exclusive benefit of ether people. The whole philosophy of successful social relations is based upon the principle of mutual interests. A people may be willing to work voiv hard, to pay a debt if they think its payment is within their power and that after it is paid the benefits of their !:•! :.v will belong to themselves hut if they believe the load is more than they can carry, no way ever has been found by which their own government or any foreign power etui make them try to carry it. It is not in human nature to try to do what is believed to lie impossible. ’’ So if comes about that France is not now dealing with the statesmanship of Germany, hut with human nature. It is a nature which already lias had its pride affronted. so that in addition to the natural resentment arising from the personal objection to working primarily for the financial salvation of France there is the intensely human objection to do anything to assist a foe which after the present invasion and heaped up obloquy, will be more hated than ever. And so there can he no real peace between Germany and France.

Thf, polling for the municipal loan yesterday was very even, but only about half of those entitled to vote took the trouble' to record their opinion. This is rather to be regretted, as for a matter of such public interest there should have been more concern for the W'T C ;'r* f’e i'uvn srn

about 600 ratepayers on the roll, and some 628 voted. There was a rather narrow margin of sixteen only in favor of the proposal being carried. It, was reported yesterday some of those intending to vote for the proposal found after leaving the booth that they had struck out the wrong line! Whether

this lie so or not, it is certainly to he regretted a more pronounced public opinion was not made. 'l’he proposal will in due course he declared carried, and it will be for the Borough Council to proceed with tlie works. The preliminaries will take some little time, hut before the present Council goes out of office we hope the works policy will he definitely formulated, and some of the more urgent works laid off. There is a good deal to do. and not a great time to do it. if the works ore to he out of hand before the end of the year. The Council may count a good deal on the favor of the non-ex pressed vote yesterday. During the day n certain amount of heating up went on and the opponents of the scheme were probably heard of to full strength. 'lhe indifferent ones who did not bother to vote may he considered supporters of the town in the great majority, and taking that view the Council would he justified in lieing considerably encouraged after all by tile poll yesterday. 'flic fact that the new Council will have responsible duties and work ahead of it next year, should stimulate greater public interest ill civic affairs, and for that reason we ate counting on greater interest la ing taken in the .Municipal polls now less than three months off,

Tui-: fuel that the movement for a central dairy factory is being taken up in earnest in this district, is a good omen of the times. The settlers of Kokatalii-Koiterangi are meeting tonight to go into figures, and judging from the favorable manner in which the suggestion is being received, there is reason to hope that the reception of the idea will lie a very friendly one. The present moment is a very opportune time for the opening of the question locally. Koifcrangi had decided to build a district factory; Kokaiahi contemplates a rebuilding scheme ; and Arahura proposes ail expenditure of a few Iniltdrerl pounds in necessary alterations. The three main supply districts to be drawn into a centralised scheme are thus on the eve of expending separately a considerable amount, which pooled, might secure almost the one central factory said to he the ideal form of management. Canterbury and other districts have long been adopting the centralisation scheme, and at Boiler the same idea is flourishing. In Christchurch the central factory has had a great vogue, so that (here must he a good deal iii the matter. Here the’settlers are now asking for details and at the meeting at Koklitahi tonight the scope and cost of a proposal suitable tor the district south of the Tcremakati is to he gone into. It is well worth investigation. Settlers have found out a good dual about the benefits of cooperation in dairying, anti the enterpri. e has Juki results hereabouts which hath been of great benefit to those participating. The centra] factory means an enlargement of the district scheme, and under careful direction the advantages should he enhanced. Locally there is sure to he a very friendly feeling towards the expansion of the industry in the manner suggested, which will supply to the town and the business people a boon greatly needed. Cool storage will he of great service, end the fresh supplies of tliiirv products will he greatly appreciated. ‘ As lucrative customers no doubt the townspeople would he ready and willing to lend n very helping hand.