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Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1923, Page 2

Tim catastrophic disaster which has overtaken Japan promises to be the greatest in all modern history. It is a deplorable event, for it strikes the nation liip and thigh. The devastation caused by the earthquake, which in turn caused fires (as at San Francisco) and a great tidal wave to follow cannot be easily calculated. The toll in life is appalling. The loss of property is enormous. The disaster is of such dimensions that all similar experiences of the kind fade quite into insignificance. So great an overwhelming of a nation will arouse the sympathy of tho world. Help from all parts will lie required and should he given readily. New Zealand will no doubt do its part. The Government will bo justified in offering immediate assistance in keeping with the dimensions of the great calamity. One thing which can lie remembered at this moment is that a section of the Japanese- navy convoyed tho New Zealand troops iu a Very (.riiical period of the year. Japan was our ally in war, and we can afford to be the practical ally of Japan in tinio of national trouble. For it is n grave national event which lias overtaken Japan, an event which will arouse world-wide sympathy.

YT.steriiay’s ranic news conveyed nothing but news of dreadful disasters on sea and land. There wax the colliery explosion in New South "Wales; the hurries no disaster in the North rtO»; the lc-.s of tho Arctic exploring party, the Japanese cataclysm (already referred to); and Inst but not even least Italy’s overt act against Greece. This is a catalogue of disaster which might have sufficed for a year instead of a day, and brings homo the biblical statement that in the midst of life w'e are in death. The Graeco-Italian situation can tie regarded as seriously grave because of what might- follow. Italy appears to have acted impulsively, not to say high-handedly, and on the filets ns revealed will linrdly retain the sympathy of tile world. It is requisite to prove a ease before seeking satisfaction, and if Italy were as sure of the ] Gsition as her extreme action suggests, it would not have affected her position to openly prove it before wielding the big suck as the one means to exact satisfaction. In any case Italy had the right to appeal To the League of Nations, and in not doing .so, seems to have contravened that, constitution seriously. The League passes swiftly to its trial, and the quidnuncs are not very hopeful of the League coming out triumphantly. That will he deplorable, for international law will bo again in the melting pot.

It is not possible to visit South Westland without renlisinig the singular beauty of its scenic attractions and the absolute neglect of the asset it is to the country as a holiday resevt. The mountain and bush scenery always in dose juxtaposition extend the whole length of the territory, fully 250 miles. Here and there are dotted lakes with verdure clad banks and shores, which are a revelation of nature’s handiwork. The novelty of the situation and easy access of the famous glaciers is a genuine surprise to all visitors. Yet til these natural assets are neglected by the Tourist Department, organised primarily to develop® and advertise the scenic wares of the country for the attraction of tourist traffic to the Dominion. Indifferent tracks mark the route to the glaciers, while the springs and other natural features adjacent are alike ignored by tho authorities. The spots so greatly favored by nature are already einlvollished to the lull. Nothing artificial is necessary. Hut it is requisite to have decent tracks arid proper sign posts by tho way, to permit of the spring waters being readily used, to have shelters at different, points, and generally to care for the remarkable gift nature has lavished her handiwork upon at our very doors. Can nothing be done to stir the authorities? •