The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, JUNE 9th, 1923. THE WEEK. The week has been marked by local

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, JUNE 9th, 1923. THE WEEK. The week has been marked by local

events of distinctive importance. On the occasion of the celebration of the King’s Birthday, tho Rugby Sub-Un-ion had a useful football tournament, and there was a. busy round of play, over 200 players participating, counting each appearance separately. Tho unveiling of the Burns Memorial was a distinctive event on the same day, and Hokitika has earned not a little kudos in consequence of its enterprise in securing so fine a monument for the town—the seventh memorial within the Borough limits. In the evening the Bowling Club held an enjoyable dance at the Town Hall, and it is not unlikely this event will become a regular King's Birthday event. The Beautifying Association scored a substantial success with its Bazaar, the interest in which was heightened considerably by the Poster Parade. The novelty of the competition served to centre great interest in the event, and the funds of the Society were enhanced accordingly. All who contributed to the success of the well-attended function are to be congratulated for the result will greatly encourage the ardent workers of the Association in the selfimposed task of improving the nPF<?“rance of portions of the town.

There was an echo of the Bocal Bodies Conference in a. northern paper this

week when the ‘'ardent apologist for the Government” was rather unfairly taken to task. No doubt the gentleman meant well, and where there are two sides to a question it is as well to have them ventilated. Only in this instance the Conference was not attacniug the Forestry Department but the Government policy, which was destined to ruin the timber industry of the district, if the export of red pine was to be finally restricted, as is the trend of tap present regulations. The noruiern paper states that “the criticism levelled at the Forestiy Department is totally devoid of constructive criticism.” But there was no criticism offered, merely a defence of the rights of the district which were threatened with destruction at the hands of a Minister who is all powerful within the Cabinet when matters affecting the timber industry crop up. The destructive action comes from a Minister who is not elected by the people, and who will brook no interference by representatives elected by the people. How long this state of affairs is to be tolerated we do not know, but if the folk do not wake up to the menace soon, disaster will have overtaken the district, and it will be too late then to move.

But there is no apology needed from us for any reference to the Forestry Department, and none will ho given, Our views witn regard to that expensive organisation are well known. It is all very well to write about what the Forestry Department might do about reafforestation in a national way —we have, on ioriner occasions, icferred “constructively” to that aspect, and the results hereabouts might he described ns expensively negative. Over and over again the public men have urged tree planting and schemes of various kinds have been mooted but there' is no outward showing. Valuable reports are prepared and there are many excursions and alarms by officials hither and thither, blit reafforestation continues in the air. Not to put too lino a point to the story, there is a wasteful form of administration going on which is eating up the revenue from the forest sources, and there is nothing tangible to show for the outgoing except a. well officered and groomed staff, comfortably settled t-o their job, producing line repents and maps but omitting to deliver tlie* goods by making two trees grow where one grew before. Some time pci Imps sooner than later, the public will wake up to the waste going on through the Forestry Department.

At Christchurch this week the South African veterans celebrated the closing episode of the war. There was a notable gathering. The Mayor of Christchurch gave a precis of the history of New Zealand's part in the war, ami it will he not without interest to recall the circumstances and the tacts cl an event in which this part in common with the rest of the colony (as New Zealand then was styled) to reprint the tabloid story: AA'hen the South Afrian War started on October 11, 1899, the Empire was not a great deal concerned as to the rights cr wrongs of the main causes ol the war, but recognised at once that the Mother Country was engaged in a war that affected the Empire. The colony of New Zealand had no commercial interests to lxi defended in South Alriea and it was not tho first colony to offer Help to the Mother Country. The first offer of help was made by Queensland in July, 1900, followed by Victoria and New South AA’ales, but the Imperial Government received those offers rather coldly. It was not until September 28th. that the Premier of New Zealand, the late Right Honourable K. J. Seddon. made a request to tho Imperial Government that Now Zealand should send 250 volunteers. That offer was taken up enthusiastically throughout tho whole colony, and Government money, augmented by public subscriptions, was provided for the purpose. The people of New Zealand for the first time began to think and act Imperially. '1 he first contingent landed in South Africa before any other colonial troops, with the exception of sente New Soutn AYalos lancers who came from England. Altogether ten contingents, comprising nearly 7000 troopers, were sent from New Zealand, representing eight for every 1000 of population, compared with eight and a half for every 1000 of population sent by tho Mother Country. Tho New Zealanders showed their fitness for serriees vn the war, and in a very short time were, by general consent, regarded ns being on the average the best mounted troops in South Africa. They had by their splendid feats fichfeved no small amount of glory for their country, and Generals Lord Roberts, Lord Kitchener, French Plumer, and Hamilton had commended the gallant conduct of the New Zealand troops. The troops not only made a name for themselves, but made a name for their native country, and enabled New Zealand to occupy a position in the counsels of the Empire from which it had never receded.

| Sir Joseph Ward was a speaker at the Veterans’ Social at Christchurch, and he made a remark which is very apropos this weok end. He said: “They never should forget the name of Richard Seddon.” Sir Joseph was appreciating his late colleague for the Imperial service he did in connection with despatching the first New Zealand troops overseas in the common cause of Empire. But to-morrow will be tho .seventeenth anniversary of the death of the late great Premier of New Zealand, and no doubt there will lie such an expression of regret all round the Dominion, as to indicate that the name of Richard John Seddon is not forgotten. Westland has special cause to hold his memory in cherished regard, for it was from here he was sent forth to take part in the counsels of State. Westland thus contributed a great man to the service of the Empire, and may with pride look back to the time when the late Mr Seddon became Westland’s representative by free choice, and he by merit and ability forged his way to tho forefront of the world’s statesmanship. Mr Seddon did much to forge New Zealand to the front, and become a prime factor in the great scheme of Empire.

The late Mr Seddon was a most conspicuous figure in colonial politics. He rose to great heights. Ho dominated

the situation in Now Zealand where he swept the polls. In Australia., on the occasion of his final visit to the Commonwealth, from Sydney to Adelaide he was feted as no man before him, or since (excepting the Heir Apparent). His great work in New Zealand is his enduring monument. His task was to uplift the worker, to help the mother, to secure the life of the children. His lhst, greatest and overwhelming campaign was founded on a humanitarian policy, and his clarion voice as ho sped through the country voicing his aims and ambitions for the good of the masses, was heard In every constituency, decimating his political opponents, and placing him at> the zenith of his political vfame. The late -Mr Seddcn is remembered here personally to many. His popularity was unique and his personal touch with the people akin to that of a benign father ministering to a happy family. He was trusted and looked up to ns few men ccuhl liave been, and with the passing years we can say, with .Sir Joseph Ward, that Westland will never forget the name of Richard .John Seddon.

Exhibition matters may be expected to take definite shape after the visit of the Council deputation to the north. Indeed from then on work will require to be specially concentrated as there is much to do. With the deputation, will return, it is expected, Air ,T. W. Collins, Secretary to the Industries and Commerce Department, who will he joined ct Hokitika by Mr J. L. Schmitt of the Christchurch Office and Mr Drew of the Government Publicity Department. These three officials will afford valuable advice and direction in respect to the launching of the large project. It is worthy of note- that two prominent members of the Greymouth Committee, will accompany the delegation on the tour. r I he Mayor of Greymouth, and the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce will travel north, thus indicating a close spirit of unity in regard to the fortunes of an undertaking which is of great moment to the whole West Coast. The general arrangements for the Exhibition should now advance rapidly, as in most respects the prospects ef success are very encouraging. With the initial details completed, there should 'ho a quickening interest generally in regard to the desire to sec a pronounod success achieved.

The report from Mr Jeffries in icgard to the support to be given Horn Otago to the local Exhibition is very encouraging and assists to make the previous assurance in tire matter of outside support doubly sure. Also, in regard to the question of accommodation, Mr Jeffries appears to lie charged with a proposal which will assist very materially to overcome the main difficulty in front of the Exhibition Council. For various reasons the licensed victuallers are not taking up the. prospects of increased trade as wholeheartedly as they might. There is a feeling that proposed amendments to the licensing law will have a disturbing effect on their trade. But Exhibition or not, more accommodation will lie required for the travelling I>u■ _.i<- here, and those charged with the duty of providing for it cannot take tip their obligations too soon. In any case the probable shortage ol accommodation at Exhibition time is not a new obstacle, it was obvious irom the outset, and has been in mind all the time. What is required now is action to overcome the barrier to success, and the. hostel proposals of Mr Jeffries should assist very materially in that desirable direction.

The possibility of a visit from the Secretary of Industries and Commerce to Hokitika mentioned above, should bestir the sawmillers and workers' organisations to take up the question of the restricted export ol reel, pine with Mr Collins. Me "directs the Department which controls the export and which issues the permits, and is thus in intimate touch with the trade. Representations to Mr Collins will thus reach the ear of the Minister very directly. Mr Donnie Stewart is being appointed permanent Minister in Charge of Industries and Commerce and he should be inclined to treat the matter from a trading and productive point of view in a practical. rather than a theoretical manner. There is a very strong ease to be made out so far as this district is concerned, and now is the time to push the question for reconsideration. The diminsliing quantity of red pine going into Australia jeopardises that market already, and once lost, if Australia seeks its supplies elsewhere, it will lie difficult to build no the market again. 1 lieie is thus no time to delay over a matter w hi c h is of such outstanding importance. and which in its present position is a serious menace to the welfare of tae whole Coast,