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Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1923, Page 2

TnE diffidences in the dominant political party at Home are interesting as confirming that in the best of regulated families, troubles will obtrude at times. Mr Austen Chamberlain, though the lender of the Conservatives in the House of Commons for a considerable period, is not wholly loved by tlio party. He was a staunch Coalitionist and did not subscribe to the jettisoning of Mr Lloyd George. There by he incurred the enmity of tho “Diehard’’ section which at the late election succeeded to the superior power in the party. Tho Prime Minister recognising the difficulties within, used suave words to endeavour to smooth out the present incident, and no doubt Mr Chamberlain will, in due course, l>o received within the fold again. Some affront was put upon him in connection with the recent crisis, in that he was not personally consulted. He suggests he was offered the Ambassadorship to the United States in order to remove him from active participation in politics. Politics are well-bred into the Birmingham member, and ho is not lightly to give up tho historic representation lie holds. The post in America

which ho has refused is an important one, and by family/ connections he 'would be a persona gratia in tho States but he prefers tho arena of politics in which to strive, and he is too good a man to bo long ignored by any section in the political world.

Affairs in Ireland are settling down, l’erluips simmering down would be the bettor term. Do Valera lias discovered in tho long last ho has been fighting a i-j-.i, cause, and now all too late ho cries poccavi. In the earlier days l:o talked of making any supreme sacrifice to gain the Republican end, but discretion has moved him to withdraw Ins valorous words, and practically to urge, if no-: to seek, peace. It is due to ts> raid in his case, that his comrades in distress with him, remain loyal to their leader, the ere this, the long arm of tho law would have overtaken him. But- it is due to lie said, also, of tho Free State Government, tnat it has persevered against great difficulty and even heavy odds, in tho even tenor of it.; way to secure law and order, and put down a rebellion the force and effect of which if has been hard to realise at this distance. Nevertheless, it is good to learn that out of chaos, order is being evolved, and that a reign of peace is sitting in. Tile settled state of affairs will open up a new era for Ireland, bringing in peace nnd prosperity, and restoring the nation to a prominent and honored place within the Empire. It is a great achievement for which tlie nation as a whoc must be grateful, as also thankful to all those who contributed to the great result.

On Monday last a reference was made in this column to the necessity in the public interests of some attention being turned to the- available accommodation for maternity cases. The reference, of course, had no individual application, but was a general one drawing attention to the need for the subject to be reviewed by the authorities so that- any shortage in accommodation or other defects, should be remedied by extended provision for tlie immediate future. A nursing homo is of necessity a costly institution to provide where limited accommodation only is available, and there is every reason, why when the local hospital is being enlarged and extended, a section or block should bo available for maternity eases at the discretion of patients. Tho population is growing by loason of new comers arriving here, and it follows that the number of maternity eases will increase. There is very little hope of private enterprise overtaking tho local requirements adequately, and as it is imperative that the very best accommodation should be available, it can be well understood why a newspaper column becomes tlie vehicle to bring tlie question forward. The subject- is one in regard to which there will be some reserve, but it is of such vital importance that no excuse or apology should be needed in publicly drawing attention to a mutter uppermost- in many peoples’ minds, and which will become more prominent still, no doubt in the near future.