The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, MARCH 10th, 1923. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, MARCH 10th, 1923. THE WEEK.

The British Government is having its peek of troubles in the electoral arena. Three Ministers have failed to secure re-election on their appointmnt to official rank. In one case a Liberal scored a decisive victory, and in two other instances. Labor candidates won the scats. Mr llonar Law’s Ministry, however. lias a large numerical majority, but it is significant that three of his .Ministers in one week should prove unacceptable to the country. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, one of the Labor leaders at Home, is something more than a good ligure-head, and it is not surprising that in many quarters his leadership should be considered acceptable. To what extent the course of events indicate a turn in the tide of political thought, is not clear, hut it is manifest Labor is making steady headway. In Mr Arthur Henderson, also, Labor has another leader capable of drawing men to him. so that the Conservatives must look to their cause. The alarmists at Home have boon pronouncing against Labor, but with what avail is becoming apparent. The opportunity is one for the Liberals at Home io reunite and enter the political fray as a united party. There, ns here,, it should prove the most satisfying political party for tho general advancement of democracy.

A aatiiku singular position is taken up by Great Britain in regard to the course of events in the Ruhr. The debate in the Commons shows that Mr Bonar Law is totally opposed to the French action, but it would appear Britain is impotent to act. No doubt the Prime Minister is speaking the mind of his Cabinet, and his remarks convey a complete condemnation of the French policy in Germany, but nothing is said or done openly to indicate that Britain’s material objections to the French action have been communicated to France, and if so. what was the reply? Great Britain appears to be extraordinarily docile throughout the incident, at a time. too. when all the British statesmen are expressing the opinion publicly that not only will Franco fail, but the action is going to place Germany in such a position that no other Power can hope for reparations. One of the American Senators put the matter rather well some little time ago when lie said if France could find the means to organise so great- an onslaught on Germany, France should find the money to repay her debt to the United States. The British politicians might he saying the same thing with equal if not greater right for England is paying hack to America, the debt she partly incurred for France. If America and Britain were to net unanimously on this point it would make a- difference to France.

France outwardly holds tlio embargo on all the tricks in the game, if force counts for anything. She is marshalling an army a million strong. Britain has less than a quarter of a million, and Britain, Germany, Italy and Belgium combined, number less than three quarters of a million. France is evidently counting that if there is to be an appeal to arms, might will have the first chance of being right. But Germany continues to keep a stiff upper lip. France has descended to imitate Boclie methods in war time, and Germany has to take the treatment lying down. Nemesis lias overtaken her rather quickly in that class of retribution. but it is not a commendable course of action, and will leave an effort on the German nation which will bode ill for France as opportuinty offers in the future. Still France marches on. occupying more and more German territory. and adding enormously to the cost of her expedition. It is an unusual development, and one which to the most fantastic mind could not have been conjoured up in advance. France by all accounts is estranging the goodwill of many of her international friends, hut apparently knows it. and evidently counting the cost, pursues her way in the search for adequate revenge and requittal.

Mn Ramsay MacDonald in summing up the position reached a conclusion

1 akin to the warning of Mr Lloyd George issued much earlier. Indeed Mr Ronar Law expressed the same senti- ■ ments in hut little different language but the tangle worse day hy day Germany has been advised of a wVv out, to give tangible guarantees | of' good faith as to future payments, , but so far makes no move in that prac- | tical direction. There is of course the general acceptance of the view by the Allies that the German Governments in power since peace was signed, have made no legitimate effort to meet the monetary obligations imposed by the treaty Germany is a very ric-li country and the Allies hare a clear knowledge of the internal financial resour--1 ces. Fiance is bent on cleaning up what she can in the way of fines and commodities, and though she is securing much wealth, the sum of it all will not recompense her for The cost of the action she is taking. So France while jrettincr 1,0 financial satisfaction is but hcapiim up more debt for herself and unmeasured trouble for the future. Her only hope now is the speedy break down of the German national pride, hut there is not any outward sign of that as yet.

It is not unlikely that the Angora Government has boon encouraged to refuse. the Lausanne Settlement of tho Near East position, by reason of the European situation. France is fully employed In Germany and in Britain there is open antipathy to war. Turkov will thus he encouraged to carry on its game of bluff with the object of securing the very best terms it can under all tile circumstances. There has lioen a very prolonged pause since tho Lausanne conference broke up, quite a marked pause considering the issues at stake. Both sides wore evidently glad of the breathing space. The British naval position has no doubt been made ns secure as resources will peiinit. while it can he expected the Turkish military position will have been reorganised. Last accounts published showed that Greece was preparing for cventualites, but there is talk again of a further revolution in that perturbed country. Now that the Angora Government lias taken positive action as affecting the international situation, the diplomatic centres will require to move again, but with the European situation so complex, the overtures are not likely to be specially decisive

Mn .Mass my is not as pleased with the political outlook as he was when tho House, rose. A telegram published this week said lie had contemplated a year's holiday, and had received an invitation to visit the Empire Exliobitiou, but ho could not promise, sis it was impossible to leave the country until lie saw things politically better than they wore to-day. All* Massey is still attributing the chaotic condition of party government to the vote-splitting at the general election, hut as he was the arch offender on that occasion he must take the greater share of the blame. The loss of Sir Win. Herries is a severe blow to the Reform party, for iSi.r William was one of their best political assets. Should Sir \\ illiam’s place in Parliament lie taken by Sir Joseph Ward as appears most likely, Mr Massey will have to wait somewhat longer before he will sec tilings politically better for Reform than they are to-day. The Prime Minister should remember that the voice of the people went against his party because ol its si >ort comings. The reckless administration went on despite the fact that Mr Massey was preaching econoii v and not practising it. It was inly when revenue began to curtail se"i'.iis’y that the Government was forced to retrench --only when a deficit appeared to be inevitable.

It would appear that the Taurangu contest will bo rather a clear-cut run between Reform anil Liberal. Labor is standing out. no doubt with the knowledge that it would he fruitless to oppose Sir Joseph Ward effectively, l'n n tliree party contest, Reform might have the better" chance, and it would lie more in keeping with the desire of Labor to see the Governmiit further weakened than strengthened. Sir Joseph Ward's candidature however, will •as it certainly should- -merit a large amount of Reform support. That for the reason that the people of Now Zealand generally recognise Sir Joseph’s outstanding ability in regard to Finance. in which department there is the greatest need for guidance in Parliament. As was to he expected Sir Joseph is standing as a straight-out Liberal and re-entering Parliament as such, he will l>e a tower of strength to tlie House. It is suggested ho is likely to ally liimself with the Government, but Ii is treatment by the Reform -Ministers when in the National Ministry does not give color to that sort of a report. Sir Joseph Ward with his ability and experience will he one of the most useful men the Parliament could have at this juncture irrespective of party considerations.

Tin' public arc notified to-day of the advent of two friends of tlie West Coast from Christchurch, who are offering advice and direction with regard to the forthcoming exhibition. In .Tonkin and Woodroffc there are two gentlemen most intimately associated with the success of the late Industrial Exhibition at Christchurch, and their knowledge and experience will be worth gleaning. The public meeting on Monday night to consider important aspects of the scheme should be well attended, for the townspeople will have the opportunity of obtaining useful guidance. The occasion can be made of great advantage to tlie district. Tt will be a form of advertisement which will have a lasting effect. While many people will flock to the Coast during the period of the exhibition, the after results in the knowledge gained of the district will be of great value. Tlie occasion will in fact put the Coast definitely on the map of New Zealand. It will be found to lie a place worth visiting with great latent resources and capable of remarkable development. The exhibition is going to lie the greatest opportunity to advance Westland.