The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, MAY 26th, 1923. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, MAY 26th, 1923. THE WEEK.

According to the calendar, Empire Day fell this week, but it will not lie observed in holiday form till Juno 4th, when in conjunction with the celebration of the King’s Birthday, a general holiday would in any case have been observed. (Empire Day was promoted by tho Earl of Meath ns an Empire memorial to Queen Victoria the good, whose birthday for so many years was observed on May 24th. Tho Empire has been extolled all round the world in that vast domain of British possessions weheron tho sun never sets. The King and Queen have sent tho message across the sca.s. Dir Massey has spoken for New Zealand. It is good to mark these anniversaries of national events, for the reason that the celebrations assist to keep alive the spirit of the public, as to tho true inwardness of the occasion. The British Empire grow to mighty proportions during the reign of Queen Victoria, and it is in keeping with the fitness of things that the work of the Empire should be kept in mind at least once a year. May the 24th is a most- fitting date. The flags Hew, the press extolled the day, and so were we reminded of the greatness of the Empire. That reminder carried with it an obligation, and it was particularly fitting that the Royal messages should be directed to tho rising generation, which will be the men and women of the future to uphold the Empire.

The best way of serving the Empire in peace, is to be good citizens. To assist where we can; to produce all we can; to submit to authority; and to build for the future good of the country. Citizenship is a service in which all are called upon to take part. There are obligations cast upon all to servo their country in the field where their duties lie. There is a better tone about the Empire of late. The upsetting period of tho war carried in its train a tendency to revolt and to deny authority. That phase of life which demonstrated itself in so many parts of the Empire, is passing away, and tho peoples are coming bM? to sanity, I]pho Empire earn? t' l ? W I**

riod ns no other country’ has done. It ■made sacrifices; ami ’ inclined responsibiliteis which at no period it shirked. The Empire stands higher than ever today in world esteem. To be British is a proud national possession. We should, as a people, cherish that advantage, and make more of it by devoting our talents and our labor so that- our country will bo magnified more and more. Empire Day should recall this obligation to the far flung nation, and all its creeds and colors should unite in the common objective to make the Empire of greater service than over to the world nt largo whicn looks so much to Britain for a national lead.

Tjif. faith-healing' mission of Air Hickson has concluded at .Sydney, and no less a personage than the Governor of the State has put his seal on the assurance as to the results of the wonderful mission. The mission is one which is stirring greatly the spiritual activities of the churches. The work of Air Hickson is known world wide, and has keen approved by ninny Anglican bishops. The missions have been held with marked success in many countries, including Japan, Palestine, America and South Africa. Air Hickson has drawn an inspiration for his work from a study of the scriptures, from which he became convinced that the gift of healing the sick had been entrusted by Christ to His Church, together with the command to exercise the gift. Faith naturally plays a great part ill our lives. It is through faith that much comfort is derived. Air Hickson seeks to apply faith spiritually, and so achieve through that agency the results which Governor Davidson has confirmed. The world is in need of a panacea for the ills which have come upon the people, and here appears a channel through which great good might come to pass. A religious revival is destined to do good. To awaken the slumbering conscience of the people, and to bring them to a realisation of where the drilt- of late is carrying civilisation. The mission makes a very timely arrival in that respect.

Apropos of this subject there is an awakening movement in progress in Christchurch, where the Anglican Church Congress is being held. It is being conducted on lilies which should 'bring mental refreshment to all those able to participate in so notable a gathering. Tho Hickson mission work will reflect itself on the trend of thought at the Congress, and many religious organisations will he prepared, if not eager, to make a stock-taking of past methods of reaching the masses. Practical Christianity was preached at the Congress by a layman—an official of the New Zealand Libor party. The home truths ho expounded would, or should, he taken to heart by a larger congregation tlinn merely his immediate auditors. What was said of homes by Mr Nash applies all too truly to many of the city dwellings. Time and again revelations of the saddest, kind are made. This occurred during the period of the house shortage; at the time of the epidemic, and on occasions of unemployment. The plight of many families calls for a closer attention to social legislation whereby some concern will be given for tile human beings. What is wanted is a. revival of the human legislation which was begun by the late R. .1. ,Seddon and which in these days, is largely forgotten.

A war cloud again overshadows the world. Greece and Turkey threaten to come to grips, and the pawns in tho game are in motion already. Greece is massing its army and is in a bellicose. mood. Turkey is lass bellicose, but probably more ready. The British warships are on tho move to the Near East, and to a great extent they will be able to dominate the position. France is so much involved in the Ruhr that it is doubtful if much can •l.e exported from that quarter towards enforcing a peace .settlement. The point in dispute is in regard to an indemnity from Greece to Turkey. The former is resolved not to pay, and will resist to tho point of fighting. The ability of Turkey to wrest payment from Greece is doubtful. Might may not be able always to force its will, and in any case, Turkey can do much better by bargaining—for further concessions will be obtainable from the pliant Allies who desire peace at any reasonable price. Greece is evidently feeling well bucki-d up and requires an early answer. 'Phe movement cf the warships may help io provide tho answer, in which case we may take it- that there will be no war, and that diplomacy will find a way to end the squabble and ensure, at least, an armed peace for the Near East for the time being.

Britain’s Prime Minister is having, what on the whole, may bo regarded as a friendly reception. Being a “’new” man he should have comparatively few enemies, but that fact will make all tho greater call on his personal resources, for he requires to make many friends to really makegood. Mr Baldwin evidently realises this, for as lie told tho waiting pressmen, ! ‘I may need your prayers more than your congratulations.” Mr Lloyd George’s comment was hopeful—coming from a political opponent. Just as the ox-Pre-nder said “ho was not going to hurl marling spikes at the steersman of the Ship of State,” so we might expect he was not going to throw bouquets at a political opponent. Mr Lloyd George paid a tribue to Mr Bonar Law, which aptly summed up the latter’s sterling value to tho nation, namely lii.s restraining value, rather than liis driving capacity. Mr Baldwin has undoubted talents. Ho has had considerable experience, and a very close insight into international affairs. He has bad opportunity, too, of looking through Mr Bonar Law’s glasses, and to that extent will have cultivated a certain restraint. But with his own natural capacity, coupled witli a buoyant desire to achieve greatness, tlioro is no reason why such as he, with tho great talents he has, should not go far.

At the County meeting this week the members received something of a shock by the reply from the Minister of Public Works refusing any subsidy towards tho maintenance of tho Kumnra-Ross main road. Some 4o miles of read have just been thrown upon the euro of the Council, and some £5,000 or £6,000 are required to place the roads and bridges in repair. Yet, beyond £ICCO granted for bridges and £2OO for the road, tho departmental reply is a cold negative. The state in which the road is left by tho Department is a disgrace to the administration. Many of the bridges are in an unsafe condition. Some are closed to heavy traffic, while culverts and small bridges are described ns positively unsound. The Government has not only neglected a duty but it takes up an unfair attitude altogether when it declines financial assistance. In refusing aid, the admission is made that help is given to northern districts which, in point of fact, have less mileage of main roads to maintain 1 Kissing apparently goes by favor, and for some reason Westland has to put up with the penalty the Minister in charge seeks to place upon the local body. As the Council has decided to protest, no doubt more will be heard of the matter later.

The Borough Council mooting last evening disposed of considerable business. The committee reports indicated that the new Council was capable of useful team work. Quito flie best remits w»U to Owt WF. to*

cause it menus that the members are taking up responsibilities in a personal way and will see their proposals through. It is the right kind of procedure, prefcrablo to the proposals of the individual, who in any case cannot make good without the backing of fellow members. Tlio benefits of committee reports aro that questions are well weigned before being brought to the Council table, and tho more considered opinion should prove the more practical. Of the reports dealt with fast night, tile Library Committee was able to submit a pleasing record. No doubt special credit on tin's account is due to Mr G. A. Wood, who has been so useful a member, and given so much of his personal time to tlio public advantage. The library should be better supported than it is, and no doubt il more were known of its attractions a wider outside interest would, be taken in its affairs. Now that the subject ims been broached it would bo pleasing indeed to see a quickening of public interest in the fortunes of the local library.

The report of the Cemetery Committee did not make such pleasant reading, for the reason that the grounds have been allowed to fall into a notf too creditable condition. Some parts of the cemetery are in goodly' order, other parts fairly so, but in other directions, and particularly the older portions of the grounds, the area is almost a waste. Many pioneers are interred in the parts referred to and it would be seemly now when approaching a jubilee celebration, that out of respect for the honored dead of the past, that quarter of the cemetery should receive special attention. The same Committee which also controls reserves, brought up the. question of loading and draining Whitcombe Square with the object of helping to overcome the. present shortage of building sites and incidentally provide more income for the Council. IV bitcombe Square is so situated that it could bo well drained and with roads formed, it provides an eligible residential quarter, adjacent to the public school and in quite a good part of the town, "file suggestions made in the matter were very timely and if the policy can be carried out a. useful step will have been taken.

Tin: report of the Public Works Committee was the most important document submitted last night, and it bore evidence of careful consideration on the part of the Committee, to the several matters referred to. The attention to the water supply is of particular moment to the community, and anything reasonable which can be done to ensure a more adequate and stable •supply for the town should have the constant and practical attention of the Council. The matter of overhauling ti.e reads, under which repairs will be carried out systematically, will be hailed with delight- by the public using the streets and footpaths. Many of the roads are very badly motor worn, and the holes are a menace to comfortable transport. In attending to the regrading of the roads, and the cleaning up of the thoroughfares, no doubt attention will bo given, also, to the need for a. more sightly appearance to tho road sides themselves. The growth and heaped up debris from the open drains are certainly very unsightly and a. system which will remove these eyesores " ill go a. long way to secure the continued confidence of the public in the management of municipal affairs.