The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, MARCH 17th, 1923. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, MARCH 17th, 1923. THE WEEK.

Tub British press has been rein forcing Mr Lloyd George this week in the matter of critical eonunnts on the Franco-German position. The House of Commons also took the matter up, and the division indicated that the critical opinions passed by the press were very much akin to general pulilie opinion. The position of the .British troops in Gorinany apjiears to he somewhat undignified, for, so far as patrolling German territory, they are .surrounded by the French troops, who appear to have taken on the job of control which the British are there primarily to perform. The position reached such a pass that the British Government made representations to the French Government in the matter and received a “sympathetic’’ reply. According to the latest Ministerial statement. Britain appears to l>e still standing up to France, though it is clear that .France is undermining the whole resources of Germany to pay up to anyone. Britain is thus getting deeper into the mire of debt shouldered for others, and for France in particular, and it is perhaps not any wonder that the “Times” the “Observer”, and othei influential journals are speaking in no uncertain strain ns to the position France is bringing about, wherein sooner or later she must be evidently confounded.

Tiik financiers continue to point out the crass stupidity of the French action as a means to the end of securing payments. Sir It. Horne this week said that the only way to keep capital ill Germany was to make Germany fit for caiptal to live in it. Without capital Germany can never hope to overtake the reparation claims. But Franco, it is alleged, wants neither to see Germany industrially strong nor militarily powerful. Without productivity Germany will lack the means to pay. and incidentally the ability to become a powerful nation. But. can this oppression hy France go on indefinitely ? Belgium opinion is to the effect- that it. is good that Germany should suffer as France and Belgium suffered during tlic period of the invasion, but that disposition is hardly the civilised way to bring about the reorganisation of Europe. Rather will such stops bring about retributive action the moment Germany is again strong enough to assert herself, while at every opportunity in the interval Germany will take what revenge she can from France and Belgium. There is no healing about- that process, and the national undoing which will come to pass will he a constant burden for all Europe to bear, for while this dissension goes on there can be no prosperous peaceful times in view.

Titf.he is but little outward sign that France is faltering in her determination to wreak vengeance upon Germany in her own way, and equally the signs in Germany point to the nation growing more determined to resist the French oppression. How long the two parties can afford to hold each other at arm’s length it is difficult to say, Britain and America are expected to intervene, but not yet. On the whole the signs in England are in the direction of public opinion requiring a move by the British Government of a definite nature. France and Germany alike have so far taken up an uncompromising attitude, and it would Ire derogatory to their self-respect to go back, or at all events lie tile first to capitulate. At the same time it is conceivable that both would welcome friendly intervention, and if Anglo-American action could be concerted it would be . the surest- means to bring the impasse

to «n end. The struggle is an exhausting one for both parties and in each country, a pile of debt is being accumulated which will be beyond'their resources to liquidate in any reasonable time. Little wonder that the English press and English statesmen are calling a spade a spade in their critical comments on the Franco-German situation.

Thf, iron rule is maintained in lieland, where the position is as difficult to settle or to understand, as it is on the continent adjoining where France and Germany are at variance. The Irish affairs continue to lie a sad daily record of excesses, with guerilla warfare full of destructive episodes, constantly recurring. The law of the land is being enforced with set purpose and without regard for former comradeships. The republicans are recalcitrant and are continuing their hostility to law and order with a fixed determination and fierceness to defy the constituted authority of tlioir own countrymen in their own land. The “round up” of republicans in England and Scotland was one of the events of the week, and was a complete surprise to the malcontents. The event showed that the Free State Government had been fully alert to its responsibilities in the effort to clean up the rebellion, Imt arrests and executions go on, and the unrest and violence are undimiiiished. It is indeed a sad plight for the distressful country, and it is to be very much regretted that at this day for universal rejoicing in Ireland and abroad where Irishmen congregate, that peace is still denied the country, and that the rebels arc still bent upon overthrowing constituted authority.

Tin: stage appears to lie well set for the political Lout- at Tauranga. Premier and ex-l’rcmicr arc at grips, and needless to say, all eyes are turned north. There are various views expressed throughout the press, but even some of the Reform papers are hoping to Ssc Sir Joseph elected. The Wellington “Post” considers that Sir Joseph Ward’s candidature for Tauranga is a cause for gratification. “Tt was an unfortunate political event that deprived the country of his services in 1919, for a. man of Sir Joseph’s experience and undoubted ability can always serve Iris country well,” says our contemporary. “This was realised during the lifetime of the last Parliament, when the weakness of the Opposition parties in constructive financial criticism became painfully evident. ■ Such weakness may relieve the Go- j veniment of some difficulty at the j time, but it is not ultimately for the j good of tile country. Realisation of j this, we believe, was tlie reason for the | attempt made last- year to induce Sir Joseph to enter public life again and place bis experience and knowledge of finance at tho service of the countiv. People who believe that there is always room in Parliament for men of the best talent will now rejoice that the reasons which caused Sir Joseph to refuse nomination then are no longer operative. His candidature will be for Tauranga., but, if elected, bo will he pre-eminently a, New Zealand member. It is manifestly an election in which local issues should not be raised.” | Tin: “Dominion” until Sir Joseph was actually announced, was pro-Ward, hut afterwards it began to temporise and j write about ‘‘artificial party ties” sepa- | rating Liberal and Reform. “Artiiki- | al” is rather good when we recall the | voice of the Reform press. Reform Alin- ] istrs, and Reform candidates at last election, speaking with studied contempt about the “down and out” Li liorals! There was nothing very artificial about the Reform action when it set about vote-splitting to defeat Liberal candidates. Nor could it be said Mr .Massey’s visit to Westland was of an •‘artificial” character, when lie , spoke of the leaiities which separated , the Reform candidate from his i.ppn- j cats. Tlie attitude of the Wellington paper might "ell be said to lie “artificial” because there is no doubt where it stands in regard to party ties. Meantime the election campaign has been launched, and the candidates are daily before the electors. The Reform candidate lias the force and iallnenee of Ministers behind him. and perhaps that is not anything to wonder at, lor ehv fate of the Ministry may l>e at stake, and self-preservation being the first law of nature, it is perhaps not surprising Mr Massey and his colleagues are fighting tenaciously for their Cabinet seats. Hokitika did itself well tliis week in tin l spirit with which it took up the Exhibition movement. The citizens with little loss of time, once the position was explained, shouldered the major portion of the financial burden without demur. And now the big project is launched. It is a considerable undertaking which will make a call not only on the resources of the town. Imt also of tho Coast as a whole, to make the venture the success it is possible to achieve. ' The folk hereabouts are credited with the ability to make things “go” and to carry through tho ventures they take in haml. Never before lias anything so large been undertaken here- , nbouts, and realising this, and making an early start, it may be expected the promoters are nil out to achieve the j iceord all have in mind. Probably the j most encouraging factor about the uti- I dortaking is the support and backing f proffered by Christchurch friends. It J has been most generous and augurs well \ for the future generally. Canterbury j and Westland are already one ill spirit and in fact, despite the delay in tho final linking up. When the union takes place we be strangers to each i other, but rather mend ers of one fain- | ily reunited after years of unnecessary j separation. Good luck to tlie cxliibi- , tion !

Tttf. visit of the Minister of Mines was a pleasant event, chiefly because of the 1 affability of the Hon. G. .T. Anderson. We do not know that he was lavish in his promises, though he was generous iii his good wishes and because his pleasant nature left a good impression behind of his geniality. Tt does not appear that matters were greatly advanced in regard to the use of the tramway of Stuart and Chapman Ltd. It would have been thought that a simple matter such as that, not involving any cost to the Government, but certainly being of great service to the public might have been adjusted off-

' hand., However, in this much-governed , country, three or four departments have come to have a hand in the matter, and the old saying about too . many cooks comes to mind. While the , officials of the Governments are going ' and coining, and making up their minds the public convenience is suffering and

tile settlers of the south in particular are denied a simple advantage in transport which would be of great service to them and no injury to the Government. Mr Anderson appears to be so sensible about most things that we wonder lie does not size up the position for himself and assert his authority in the same way It. J. Seddon had to do when as he said New Zealand was domineered by government under secretaries.