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Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1923, Page 2

Mr T-i.oyd George’s fortnightly article published at the week end, was, ns usual, of world interest. He dealt with the Russo-British situation, stripping it bear of platitudes, and nakedly revealing relations as they are. Mr Lloyd George’s article was a plea for pence and intercourse with Russia, a continuation, in fact or the policy ho had tried to detine when in power.

Naturally he could not speak as openly then as he does now, for his review is a comparative criticism of the late and present forms of government in Russia, and in the summing up it would be difficult to say which lias tilted the balance. But Russia is a nation, and is capable of working out its own destiny. It lifts worked blindly and even disastrously at times, but it is peopled with a remarkable nation, and it is too groat a nation to be ignored or forgotten. Indeed, Russia is required by Great Britain as a friendly trader, and also as a friendly power, neighboring as it does British possessions in A-sia. Britain, according to Mr Lloyd George can well afford to make peace with Russia, and Russia evidently realises also the sanity of being on good terms with Great Britain. The sanity of this condition of mind indica’tes tho wisdom among tho present rulers of Russia.

Some controversy has arisen over the soldiers’ club movement. If there was any misunderstanding it was quite right to have it. cleared up, but it would be a pity if anything should be said or done to prejudice a worthyproject, when matters are- capable of ready explanation without seeking to throw a stigma oil the movement. For instance, if tho writer of tho letter lo an outside newspaper desired knowledge on any point of the transaction, he could have obtained the information first hand without any fuss or bother. However, the action lias brought out a public statement on the matter, and where there was doubt before there should now be understanding. Some remarks by Mr Evans, the President of t.ie Club, are made in this issue, in which he states the building scheme is going ahead, and no doubt he .will have very ready cc-operation from the bulk of the citizens. A very fine Club room and social hall have been visualised. and in many respects the building will fill a long felt want. Tt. will be centrally situated. It will be an ornate, substantial edifice, a credit to the town and the moving times. Above all, it will fulfill a promise by the citizens to the soldiers, and will be a further contribution to tho discharge of that debt the community owes to all those men and women, who served their country in war time.

Yesterday's ceremony on Cass Square, whereat the statue ot Robert Bums was unveiled, was an occasion of sjiecial interest to the town, and marks an event in tho history of Hokitika. There are now some seven monuments in Hokitika, and each has its special claim upon the public, and adds to the attractions of tho place. Sbmo noble sentiments were expressed in regard to Burns yesterday, and Hokitika may be proud of the fact that it is the fourth town in New Zealand to honor the memory of a national poet with such a wide repute. Tho speeches yesterday brought tho spirit animating Burns' writings very close to the man himself, and paid a. noble and worthy tribute to olio who contributed so much to tho harmony and good of the people ns a whole. His worth is being more and more recognised, and it can ho quite understood how and whylie is idolised by the people of his own nation in particular. Burns loved tho ]>eople from whom he sprang. Tie was the people’s poet and his memory is becoming more and more revered. It remains only to congratulate the local committee on the realisation of their objective, and it is pleasing to know that with a comparatively easy, but no less united, effort, the funds for the handsome monument in the public recreation ground has now been practically, fully subscribed.

Tuf. football tournament on C'nss Square yesterday proved a full day’s pleasure for patrons who gathered in largo force. Contrary lo the earlier indications the day turned out beautifully fine overhead, hut the playing fields were wet. Nevertheless the several teams rolled up in force, and provided what was certainly a good day’s sport. The Sub-Union is to he congratulated on its arrangements, the only fault to ho found was in allowing tho junior final to he played in the gloaming. As the contestants were homo teams the game could have been played with more satisfaction to the players and public on some afternoon later. The players themselves are to be congratulated on the vim put into their play. Every team did its* best —the true way to emulate at Sport. The games were all contested in good spirit, and with an earnest desire to win. Some good bouts of play were indulged in. Tournaments tend to cultivate more open play, and the benefit of this was so noticeable that the players should indulge in more of it in team matches. These annual tournaments are very popular witil tho public and the patronage is well placed, for it encourages a very useful development in the game of football.