The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, SEPT. 8th, 1923.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, SEPT. Bth, 1923.

THE WEEK. Political matters in Ireland do not promise much tranquility. The state of the parties as a result- of the late election promises, under certain conditions, to produce and create fresh difficulties. The Republicans who have lieen elected in considerable strength, are expected to take the oath and their seats in the Dail. If that ho so, they will prove a combative minority likloy to draw u certain measure of strength from the 40 or 50 members outside the Government party. There will lx?, therefore, a degree of insecurity which will not he for the benefit of political advancement. The Government remains strong in the determination to uphold the treaty, hut it is conceivable that were the Republicans ;reiiiforced to any degree, an aggressive opposition could L>e used to the seiious discomfiture of ufFaim. It is a pity Ireland cannot enjoy political tranquility in order to give t.ho country’ time to lceuperate alter the bite upsetting period. The country must need peace as much as ally part of the world in order to recover lost ground, and rehabilitate the nation internally as well as externally. liish affairs have been t roubled enough and a serene period would he welcomed to ensure material national advancement.

Japan has an imenvinhlt* record in the matter of earthquakes. Between 1885 and 1802 no fewer than 8381 were recorded. Although many of these were not sufficiently severe to cause shaking over an area of more than a few hundred square miles, some of them were sufficiently intense to propagate vibrations round and tliiough the globe. One of the most serious of these earthquakes occurred in October, 1801. it was known as the Mino-Owari earthquake. In 1880 Yokohama suffered very serious damage. Chimneys were shattered and roofs destroyed and the city had very much the appearance of havin'* been bombarded. Tokio, the capital of Japan, liu.s a population of over two millions. It stands on the hanks of the river Sumida. Yokohama with which Tokio is connected iby eighteen miles of railway, is practically the port of the capital. The town has suffered frequently from earthquakes, which for a long while deterred the erection of large buildings. The City assumed no importance till about 1457, but its progress after the transfer of the Court from Kyoto, was •rapid. Much of the old town with its narrow, irregular streets, has given way to the broad thoroughfares and handsome buildings of flic modem metropolis. There are several notable temples, while the museum, Imperial library and zoological gardens are worthy of any Western capital. Yokohama, now one of the principal ports of the Eastern world, was an insignificant fishing village in 1859. The Japanese Government- constructed public works and an excellent water supply system was installed. The foreign settlement lias well constructed streets. The railway connecting Yokohama and Tokio, constructed in 1572, was the first in Japan.

The advices tell us that in Tokio, owing to favouring weather conditions, the fires were checked. In San Francisco, it will be remembered', the flames swept the city for three days, burning four square miles out of the heart of the city. Twenty-eight thousand buildings were destroyed, and the railroads carried 200,000 people out of the town. For weeks thereafter the whole business district was a dreary waste of ashes, broken stone and bricks. ■Rut San Francis on promptly rebuilt itself, more proudly than before. Taught \b« dVapdful Iftfsor* af t h (> her

architects arid builders devised structures which sijould be, as nearly as was humanly possible, earthquake-proof and fire-proof. YY’c can all unite in hoping that the industrious cpople of Japan will be able to emulate the American example, and rebuild their cities in a manner better suited to resist the perils to which their land is subject. It happens moro often than not that out of such disasters, overwhelming though they may seem at the time, abiding good results for a nation. There never was a city yet so perfect that its best citizens in iconoclastic moments did not wish that it might be shattered to bits, so that it migut be remoulded nearer to the heart’s desire. Wo need not, says the Lyttelton Times, pity Japan as a nation. She will recover from her disaster, but our pity must go out to the thousands of human beings who have suffered bereavement and deprivation as i. e result of the recent fearful upheaval.

Thf. particulars published during the week in respect to the action being taken at Nelson and Bailor to further tho British and Intercolonial Exhibition to be held here at Christmas and thereafter, indicates our northern friends arc taking the matter up very enthusiastically indeed. Tho letter written to the local press by tin' President af the Btiller Progress League struck the right note, and proceeding along tboso lines there will be a good display in every way worthy the district. At Greyniouth on Monday the question of a local display will be taken up also, so that the Coast, generally will he well represented. It is essential this should he so if the Coast is to receive the ultimate benefit it should from the Exhibition. It is the aim of such organisations to attract attention to local resources, and if the wares and possibilities of the district arc effectively displayed, to the many thousands of visitors who will flock here, there will be always a percentage who will show* an interest in some "of the exhibits, and be disposed to follow that interest up practically, if there is anything genuine behind the proposition. It is this view o>. possibilities to recur that makes the coming Exhibition 'altogether worth while, and should encourage local folk generally to east tUeir bread on the waters.

In regard to this aspect of possibilities we notice that the Mining ( ommittce of the Exhibition over which Mr A. Aitken presides, is moving in reference to a general display of mineral exhibits. This is quite worth while. Westland lias much latent wealth in the store of mineral deposits it possesses, anil if its geological features can he brought out efieclively, there is no reason whv scientific attention should not ho arrested, and exports at, last take an interest in practical development work. We regard this possibility of the Exhibition as one of its most attractive features .for given the ultimate development, there will he no question about attracting more population to Westland. On that account we hope the mining exhibit will be of outstanding merit. Finance will be required for that purpose, and monev slionld not be supplied with a niggardly hand. What is now said of Westland applies also to other parts of the Coast, and if all parts work enthusiastically with tho same object, in view, the Mining Court can lie made not only a prominent feature of the Exhibition, hut the finest advertisement yet given to the mineral resources of the West, Coast-.