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Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1923, Page 2

Tijk United States has cut finally the Gordian knot, winch iieid il hound to the Europcai situation. The AmI email troops hauled down its Hag it i Coblenz ill Germany, and departed by I way of Antwerp for home. The quiet exit of America at the time of crisis is significant. France is invading Germany and oxeieisiiig the force ol her military power to impose her wishes on the defeated. Neither Great Blitain nor the United States appiovc the methods adopted, and the statesmen of both eount-ies have lad the courage to say so. But America lias gone Itirther and tail'd oil he’ troops of occupation. There is a growing I ceding in England U do l.keuise. In» fact that tile two English-speaking countries are at one in their view ol the political and military situation in the newly created Franco German position, is plainly indicative us was remarked at Coblenz luncheon, of what was ‘‘fundamental in the hearts of the two nations.” Both desired peace not at any price, nut at a reasonable price which at least avoided war or a condition akin to war and the making of a fresh war sooner or Inter. 1 1 at this juncture there should be any real weakening oi the ties between Britain and Frince, and it wn.iM appear that, they .'amt he more or iessseriously strained, seeing that Fiance is acting so determinedly in opposition to British views, then it would be more than satisfactory as a result to witness America and Britain being drawn closer together, and a truer n.uional alliance of peoples with a common tongue brought, -.'loser together. The time is ripe for that happy consummation. The old prejudices cherished so long between the two peoples are being removed by one cause or another just as in the case ol England and Ireland happier relations are slowly coming to pass. In the language ol Great Britain and the United States, the. two people have a common heritage which is a basis for alliance of the first importance. The two nations can understand 'and comprehend each other hotter, and the intercourse now going on on great international questions must pave the way to that fuller understanding which gives confidence the true basis of any alliance, written or unwritten. No country has done more than Great Britain to earn the confidence of the world, and the United States is realising the fact, and is alike displaying her good faith and goodwill along similar lines of action.

Although Rnrlianieiit is to meet so soon, there is still great uncertainty as to the position, and what will conic to pass in the next ferv weeks. I ho fact that Parliament is assembling now instead of at June is indicative of the insecurity of the parties. Lhe loader of the Labor Party in the recent telegrams interchanged with the Prime Minister blazoned forth the fact that Mr Massey was in a minority and that constitutionally his government should not continue in office without dem<u’strating that there was a. majority in Parliament prepared to support the Reform party. This plain, and as itwere, somewhat official disclosure of the position, is said to have led to the earlier meeting of Parliament than at first contemplated by Mr Massey. To that extent Mr Holland has made the first score. But no one seems to know what is going to happen when Parliament meets. Ministers profess not to know, and the Reform'press while now approving the calling together of Parliament. is still making overtures to ilie Liberals to come over and help. The way is said to be open for Mr AVilford t-o commence bargaining, but on the other hand, the loader of the Liberals is not disposed to bargain, if at all without the consent, and with the approval of his supporters. Another element of uncertainty exists in regard to the election petitions still to he determined. AA T h’le. of course, these may not be discussed, it is obvious the result of the major enquiries shortly to proceed might have a matevia! effect op the ultimate fate of the Reform party, At the same time there is a feeling abroad that for various reason® something in the nature of

a patched peace will he arrived at, if only as a preliminary to a trial of strength Inter under an amended electoral system. As matters now stand, to fight the position over again on the tri-party system does not give much hope for a material change. V'inspiriting would ngn-iii he rampant, and the country and individuals might be put to considerable cost for very little alterfltion, when the inevitable patching up would have to be done then, This is the main argument for leaving matters as they are at- present, the Liberals to bargain as to their terms in the way of remedial legislation to remove the possible electoral deadlocks of the future. As matters stand nt present Reform is anxious for the Lib- | erals to make the next move. L it : is not made it is likely Labor will he 1 passive for the time lieing. ami will ; wait the advent of the regular sc-sion 1 following tin* declaration of the Goj vernment policy, before bringing the r augmented forces into political •"t on ' in the House.