The Hokitika Guardian. WEDNESDAY FEB. 14th, 1923. AMERICA'S RESPONSSIBILITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian. WEDNESDAY FEB. 14th, 1923. AMERICA'S RESPONSSIBILITY.

Many American journals have taken the view that the United States did well not to accept the mandate for the decadent Turkish Empire. It is lons•suring, says Stead’s Magazine, to see that this short-sighted view is discarded by at least one journal, The World’s Work, which holds that hud America done its duty, there would have been no mess in the Near East. TTie United States held a unique position; whereas the Turks distrusted almost every European Power they had faith in the disinterestedness of Ainei icans. Even the most cynical of European statesmen admit the good faith of the United States. Therefore, the failure of America, to accept the responsibility for Turkey, wbieli was a logical outcome of the intervention of the United States in the war, is one of the prime causes of the mess that some Americans congratulate themselves on keeping out of. As The World’s Work says:—

The appearance of the American (lag over Byzantium, would immediately have meant one thing; it would have informed Europe that Turkey was to be re-organised, and set on its feet in the interest of any European Power, ft would have meant, that massacres of Armenians. Greeks. Arabs. Syrians and other subject peoples were to cease that the rod rule of the Tuilc had reached its end. It would have meant the expenditure of taxes for building schools, highways, railroads. electric light plants; the stamping out of disease; tho opening up of the resources of the country; the establishment of modern agriculture. Tn a word. ic would have signified the spreading of civilisation once more in ureas which, ages ago wore the most enlightened parts of the earth’s surface.

America’s failure io rise to her responsibilities lias cost the world dearly ; it is a good sign to see the trend of enlightened opinion js all in favour of an abandonment of neutrality, and the frank recognition of the rights and duties of the United States in the work of restoring a shattered Europe.

A corrkrfondknt on Saturday last told our readers of a little known quiet corner at the, head of the Okarito lagoon where game abound in what is virtually a sanctuary, while from the neighborhood there is a magnificent outlook which visions a remarkable panorama of the Alps and the region in between. Mr W. 11. Chinn of Tctalio, who was a visitor to Hokitika this week, tolls us of another quiet corner in the south, where again a wonderful view of ‘Westland is obtainable. This is to be gleaned by the ascent of Mount Adams. The mountain is about 7.300 feet high, standing at the head of Dry Creek, near Toiaho. where motor traffic was held up last week through the rough, deep crossing. Mount Adams is best approached from the region of Parker’s or McCullough's creeks. It is not a difficult - ascent, and a sheep track is now being cut. Through the native alpine growth the top eoukl be reached in a little over two hours. With the track finished, the ascent will bo possible in a little over an hour. Mount Adams is the culminating point of Adams Range and during the surveying of Westland was utilised as a signal point with Hokitika. The range itself has been very little explored. Bv the route Mr Chinn has followed in climbing the hill, a plateau is reached of considerable extent over which horses could be ridden with ease. Horses could be led up the hillside now, and utilised to advantage, for the flat land on top is of very considerable extent. The top is covered with mountain grasses and plants, and nt certain seasons of the year, is a veritable native flower garden, presenting a most remarkable picture. The view from the summit is superb, wonderful in all its variety and extent of country revealed on all sides. Air Chinn spent the night on the mountain on one occasion to see the sunrise the following day, and was rewarded with a wonderful spectacle. He spent the day on the mountain roaming far across the range. At one period he was right above the billowy rolling clouds which shut out the landscape below. This view of cloudland was indeed a remarkable one. He learned afterwards it had been raining below, but up above the clouds, he had enjoyed a day of perpetual sunshine. Looking away to

tho east, the dividing range appeared ! to bo pierved by an easily negotiated pass, but as far as Mr Chinn knows, that locality has never been explored. Indeed no one appears to have explored the Adams Range region, not even the late intrepid Mr Charles Douglas who accomplished so much in pioneer mountaineering. Mr Chinn is of opinion a permanent track should be opened for tourists and holiday makers up the side of the mountain, and a camping hut built for the use of visitors. He would Ik? glad to act as guide for any tourist officer who cared to explore the high country, in the public interests and with the object of opening it up for sightseers. Air Chinn can hardly conceive that with all the beauties of AVostland, there is anything to be found within easy reach, so remarkable and so impressive as the outlook from Adams Range which reveals the whole panorama of Westland as far as the eye can see north and south, and to tho east into the snow-capped fields of the Southern Alps. Looking out over the country below which takes in the wnolc of the Wataroa Flat, the view is akin to the picture from an aeroplane, and the observer being stationary has the more magnificent spectacle spread before him. Holiday makers contemplating an Easter outing could not do better than have a trip "to Mount Adams in mind, and in the interests of tho district we are sure Mr Chinn, with his public spirit, will do nil in his power to make an interesting exploration to the little known territory so near at hand.

Tun price whicli is 'icing offered to- I day for both lambs and ewes constitute a great temptation to shcopowners to snatch all immediate profit rather than to build up tJicir (locks (states a \\ninuapa exchange). The slump coining after the riot of high prices did a great deal to reduce tile numbers of the New Zealand flocks io what they | are to-day, some millions below the level of 19]4. Farmers who found them- . selves hard put to it to scrape together the money to pay necessary outgoings could not be blamed lor selling off their lambs and ewe hoggets, "hen tlieii interests in the long run to hold. It was a matter ol soll'~|>Kservation and they did the obvious tiling. But the steady rise in the lirice°of wool and of other products Ims so improved the outlook of many farmers that they are really in a post-' tion to take the long view and keep ( what they require for their o"ii flocks. ' The great demand for stud and flock | rams, which is evidenced by the fact j that nearly 2000 of these animals went i out of the Wairarapa for sale >» . Hawke’s Bay last week, shows what , sort of demand there is likely to be during next year. It is to be hoped, therefore, that too many ewes which are still tit for breeding will not be fattened off for tho butcher whil* the New Zealand flocks are so far below , their standard numbers. i