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Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1923, Page 2

The . new Singapore base cannot be construed as a menace to 'Japan or the United States, or as an infraction of either the Washington Treaty or tho League Covenant. The most bigoted pacifist living dees not pretend that the British navy is a menace to either the League or to world peace. From the territories and possessions of the signatory Powers in which the status quo is to he maintained, the Washington Treaty plainly excepted Singapore also the Panama Canal zone, Hawaii, and the coasts of Canada and Australasia. Besides, it must he a matter for astonishment that any critic, let alone a British critic, can even suggest such a charge against Great Britain. Britain alone of the Powers which signed the Washington Treaty has both ratified tlmt treaty and put it into effect. Britain alone reduced her armaments promptly after ratification, setting an example for tho others to follow. Neither the l nited States nor Japan—said to he menaced by the Singapore base—lnis scrapped any of their existing fleet listed to be .scraplied. As a matter of cold fact, neither of those countries shows the slightest anxiety concerning the British navy’s intentions—not because, as they can clearly see, the British navy is at present almost impotent to carry on war against either of them in the Pacific, hut because they are familiar with the navy's policy, and harbour no distrust of it whatever. AYhat is clear, however, is that neglect to modernise British Pacific stations would he to abandon delilierntoly our sea. power in these waters. Freni such abandonment would arise much more danger of conflict than a dozen new British bases. We in Australia and New Zealand, shall shortly hi- considerably interested in Singapore, for it is not unlikely that our defence policy will he to contribute to its cost. Singapore is tho base for maritime defence of our western and north-western trade routes behind the chain of islands which stretches from New Guinea, to the Malay Peninsula. Any enemy meditating a descent upon Australasia or Australasian .sea-borne commerce must in the future, under the Admiralty scheme, first take action against the Singapore base and the battle? fleet centred upon it,. Australia, will b.'.< contributing ships and men to that battle fleet in one form or other. Australia will probably decide also to maintain adequate oil-fuel depots at Sydney and Fremantle, and to provide an adequate floating dock in Sydney alongside the i’or.katoo repairing yards, and New Zealand will bo required to act likewise. Those provisions may he as confidently forecasted as to-morrow’s sunrise. But in time of war emergency, if such again occur, the Australian depots will he subsidiary to the main base at Singapore, which is at once the strategic centre aml the most suitable service pipe-head for Persian and Batavian oil.

Gass Square was a bright- and busy spot on Saturday afternoon. Half the town seemed to he taking the air. for football and hockey matches wore in progress. Gass Square lias taken 011 a greatly improved condition of late, thanks to the work initiated by the Beautifying Society. It was good to see tho young men and women enjoying themselves in healthy sport, and providing pleasure for the interested ones looking on. “Mho is tho happy warrior?” asks Wordsworth, and proceeds to answer his own question :

ft is tho generous spirit, who, when brought Among the tasks of real life, hath wrought Upon tho plan that pleased his boyish thought. The lines express a great truth, the significance of which is being home upon 11s more strongly every day. The boy is father to tho man, indeed; and, as the twig of the “boyish thought” is bent so will the tree of adult character be inclined. It. is this which makes the inclusion of sport within the ambit of education so good a. thing. For, as competition is the essence of life, and rivalry its most persistent feature, to teach the young idea the proper way in which such rivalry should he encountered and effected is not only a worthy branch of instruction, hut is probably of all branches the most essential. After all, character is the great tiling, the most important thing in life. To undertake, therefore, to implant the seeds of strong and honourable character in the fruitful and assimilative soil of the youthful mind is at once the highest ambition to which a teacher may aspire and the greatest responsibility which lie can assume. And of all means by which the seeds of strength and honour may be so implanted, the contests of the playground are probably the best. To he “a good sport sums up an exchange, has come to he synonymous with all that is frank and high-minded; to be enabled at all costs and under all circumstances to “play the game” has come to he the great _if not the greatest—aspiration of every honourable man. And, above all true sport must inculcate the noble attribute of unselfishness, lo play not for himself, hut for his side and for tho honour of his school that is the creed it teaches. The words of Newbolt's “Vitai lampada” recur to the memory at once :

It’s not for the sake of a ribbon’d coat

Or the selfish hope of a season’s fame, for no one who ever r»ad them can forget the lines, nor those even finer ones with which the poem closes. They summarise the whole matter—a great thought expressed in noble language; This is the word that year by year M’hile in her place the school is set, Everyone of her sons must hoar.

And none that hears it dare forgot. This they all with a joyful mind Bear through life like a torch in flame, And, falling, fling to the host behind—- “ Play up! Play up! And play the game !”

Tire Railway Department advise that the usual train connection with Christchurch will continue from to-morrow, the passengers having to tranship at No 9 tunnel.

Drill Hall! Wednesday, May 23. Monster Empire Eve Hall. Come and have a good time and assist in raising funds for the R.S.A. building scheme. Entrance bv Town Hall.—Advt.

There is a crying demand in -Verier and England for New Zealand rugs, yet to buy one in New Zealand is hard enough, remarked Mr W. Appleton of Wellington, at Masterton at the wollen mills meeting.

“There might to bo no such thing as separation by consent. A Magistrate has no right to separate husband and wife, yet I have actually seen it on the order ‘by consent’,” commented Mr Justice Salmond in the Palmerston 'ftorth Sup reme Court (states an exchange).

A fine haul of plaice was netted at the Manawatu Heads last week by local fishermen (says the Manawatu “Daily Times”). Those fish arc like the flounder in shape, but very much larger. Their appearance in the river is somewhat of a mystery, none having proviousl.v been caught locally. The river at the time was in flood and the sea water for some distance out was discoloured.

When a Wellington deputation made a request for largo expenditure on educational buildings, the Prime Minister dealt with the general financial position, indicating that penny postage concessions would ho introduced at an early date, and also reductions in railway freight. Ho had requested the General Manager of Railways to prepare a statement setting out the most urgent freight reductions required.

Attention is drawn to the monster fair and sale of work to he opened on Thursday at 3 p.m. in St. Mary’s Club rooms. A strong ladies’ committee has been working for some time past and the result- will be a beautiful display of plain and fancy work. There will also ho n produce stall, where housewives will find all their requirements. 'I ho sweet stall and fish pond are sure to he in great demand. The refreshing cup of tea will also he procurable. Come all and secure some of the good things offering.

Residents living along the hanks of the Waimata River (states a. Gisborne paper) regard the seagulls which haunt the vicinity as pets, and in some cases have induced the gulls to take scattered food from close to the houses. The birds are fine scavengers, and, it is claimed, do absolutely no harm. A group of those regularly visited the Gisborne Rowling (’lull’s greens, where they alight among the howlers, whom tliev amuse by their antics in avoiding the howls. One old bird, has been named the “green keeper”, and is alwavs on hand.

German traders' in anticipation of the resumption of commercial relations between New Zealand and Germany are allowing no grass to grow under their feet (states the •‘Manawatu Standard”). A Palmerston North merchant has received a communication from a gentleman, the last syllable of whose name is “Stein” informing him that Mr “ —-stein” has let the very obviously German firm which he formerly represented in New Zealand and is now associated with Messrs Jones and Co., but there is much about the communication that leads one to suspect that this prosaic British name is merely Teuton camouflage.

The prospects lor next season being an exceptionally good one for the producers of the Dominion were discussed in an interesting manner by Mr lb Buchanan, of Tiakitahuna, the wellknown Ayrshire breeder, "hen inletviewed (states the Daiinoviiko “Evening News”). Mr Buchanan has just returned from a visit to the agricultural districts of New South Wales, where lie studied closely the conditions prevailing there and the possibilities that might accrue to New Zealand as a result of the drought. “I am convinced,” he said, “that the prospects of the next season in the Dominion are exceptionally good, partly as a result ol the terrible drought that lias prevailed in the Commonwealth for so long. “I shall nut bo at all surprised if, very soon, we exi>ericuoed a long demand for fat sheep and mutton from Australian consumers, because their own stocks arc depleted and they must draw supplies from somewhere. Graziers should he on the look-out for this demand, which 1 feel sure must come soon.”

ilr T. .M . Wilford kiiijj; at IVtoiic on Thursday hint-, strongly conclein lied tlio Government's do-nothing attitude in regard to housin';, unemployment, tlio adequate relief of soldier-settlers, so many of a lioni had had to walk off their farms, and the reduction of Customs taxation. The rich man did not need help, lie declared ; but something ought to be done for the workers in view of the fact that the cost of living was still some 50 per cent above prewar level, in view of the difficulty of finding decent housing accommodation for many of the people of this country, ill view of unemployment, and what was almost worse-, the constant dread of unemployment that was always haunting the workers, lie contended that the duty of Parliament, of the Prime Minister, and of the Cabinet was to get down to the solution of these basic problems, lie was going to begin at the beginning of tlio session with his team to insist upon adequate steps being taken for the housing oP the people, for the curing of unemployment, for doing justice to the great mass of the people in regard to taxation, and for dealing fairly and equitably with the soldier-settlers on the laud. (Loud applause).

farmers light: A 350 C'.P. lantern—rain, wind and storm proof—lights with match, suitable for inside or outside lighting. 70s post free. Manning Machinery Co., 5 Bedford Row. Christchurch.—Advfc.

Ford new prices.—Truck Chassis Clso, touring £164 with starter £lB2, runabout with starter £l6B, all f.0.-b. Wellington. We also offer used Ford runabouts with starter £9O. touring car ditto £l3O in Greymouth. Mark Sprot and Company Ltd. Selling Agents, G reymoutli.—Adv t. A true and tried remedy for coughs, colds, influenza, and sore throat is “XAZOL.” 60 doses Is Cd.

Messrs Mark Sprot and Co. Ltd., have been appointed West Coast distributors for Bell’s “Special Reserve” Scotch Whisky, the territory including from Murchison to South Westland. Bell’s Scotch Whisky is the only .standard draught whisky gold by the Royal Oak Hotel Wellington, Grand Auckland and Grand Wellington, and leading clubs through New Zealand. Belt’s is now the leading line in New Zealand and is a fully matured Scotch whisky. Shipments are expected to arrive early next month when the firm will be pleased to supply.—Mark Sprot and Co. Ltd., Greymouth; sole distributors for West Coast.—Advt.

Apples! apples! Just landed a fine consignment of dessert and cooking apples, all varieties. Paterson, Michel and Co., Ltd. (Phone No. 2.) —Advt.

Doctors recommend Oatmalt Stout, brewed bv the Lion Brewery Coy., Auckland/ bottled in crown top. Bottles in quarts and pints especially for Mark Sprot and Co. Ltd. C)n sale at all leading hotels, any of which will supply small bottes for home consumption at one shilling per bottle. Lion ale, too, is par excellence, light and refreshing.—

The Murchison correspondent of tho Inangahua. “Times” reports that word has been received from Nelson that there is every chance of saving the limb of the little girl McCadam, who was shot in the leg by the accidental discharge of a shot gun. The local agents for Ford Cars, Messrs M. Houston and Co., announce in another column n further reduction in prices. They are now lower in price than over before in the history of Fords, and being equipped with all the latest improvements are wonderful value for the money. Intending purchasers would he well advised to book orders as the cars are selling as quickly as they arrive in the Dominion.

The cold blasts of winter arc now making themselves felt in earnest, making it an urgent necessity for every woman to possess a serviceable overcoat. Those who are experiencing this need should pay an early visit to Messrs Paterson and Lloyd, Revell Street, opposite the National Bank, where a very fine range of velour coats is now being offered at specially reduced prices. Messrs Paterson and Lloyd have also just opened up a further consignment of ladies’, maids and children’s woollen frocks and costumes. These are smart and dressy in appearance, and have a further advantage of being most moderately priced. This enterprising firm also reminds readers that it is the local ageut for Messrs C. Taylor and Co., the Dominion’s leading dyers and French cleaners.

A new range of coloured velveteens, extensive range of colours; reliable qualities at much reduced price is now offering at Schroder and Co’s., where also a huge stock of new silks, leading makes, in satins, Oriental and floral. Japan silks and gauntlet fringed suede gloves also on view. Inspection invited.—Advt.