The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th 1923 THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29th 1923 THE WEEK.

History is being made very rapidly in these days of great adventure, and Europe is a veritable hive of industry iti the matter of history-making. Since history Kogan the southern shores ol tile Mediterranean have been a region of fascination. There the great civilisations .spang into being, fertilised by the Nile and the African sun. When Europe became civilised, and therefoic aggressive. Northern Africa provided an arena of warfare rich in spoils; and to-day that vast stretch of parched but potentially rich terriloiy lias still its lure for its would-be conquerors. Italy fought the Turks for one portion of that littoral; Germany hlusteringly made her claim ; Spain has always coveted Morocco; and England sits securely ramparted controlling the gates of the most important sea in the world and ill history. The key to Northern Africa is Tangiers, which watches GiV niltnr from the south-west. The power that controls Tangiers can lender The Rock useless, and close the Mediterranean gates to all. Tangiers has been cut out of the province of Morocco and internationalised; it is controlled by three Powers, England. Italy and France. In the sole control of even Spain it would nullify the might- of Gibraltar. Italy has at present enough to do in Europe. Her troubles gather on the north; she must leave Africa alone. Spain, however, still struggles to maintain her position as a North African power. For years she Ins been sending armies to perish in the African deserts, overwhelmed by a sturdy foe and the strength of the tropical sun. Recently the soldiers ordered to light the desert rebelled when ordered on this long and hopeless quest strewn with military disasters.

Spain is still precariously living on the glories of her conquests in the New World. The gold of the Tnons have maintained for centuries a. State that is the most backward ii; Europe. It is a curious commentary upon the character’ of nations that Spain, with all her advantages failed to build up a colonial empire, while Britain from the smallest beginnings founded the greatest colonial power in the world. Indeed, England is the only Bower that has succeeded in the difficult task of founding branches of the family abroad and keeping them contentedly within the family. It is a well-worn axiom of statecraft that disaffection of the populace at home can he swiltly cured by sending them to light abroad. Napoleon discovered this easy means of turning the thoughts of the cirixens from mutual throatcutting to the glories of a war of conquest. Mussolini found it necessary to consolidate his waning personal power by a grandiose military gesture against an insignificant neighbor. Spain, however, reverses this axiom. It was her continual attempts to master tho African tubes Hint have depleted her resources and dissipated her inherited treasure from the New World. So her present internal trouble has no cure She has been drained dry of her manhood, and still must go on sacrificing her people in the announced ‘ new offensive nt Melilla. using I.">0.000 troops.” Meanwhile, to the Antipodes the Spanish turmoil has more than an academic interest, because of the dominating position of Tangiers across our trade-route. It is only another example of the ancient scientific declaration that you cannot drop a stone without causing a ripple through the globe.

Thf. Franco-German situation promises to take a. decided turn. Germany it appears is calling •‘enough”, and France looks on complacently still demanding her pound of flesh. It has been left to Mr Ramsay MacDonald, Parliamentary leader of the Labor Party at Home, to sum up the position very cogently. He said the I* roneh had gained what they described as a great success, hut France’s success really meant that tho means of obtaining reparations had been largely destroyed. France’s debt had increased enormously, and she had destroyed the resources from which she could have made it good. Her conduct was making her bankrupt. It had enormously complicated the problem of the reconstruction of Europe. Britain, Mr Macdonald said, should insist on Mr Baldwin defining his position. He should tell them where he stood, and what lie had said in Paris. If he had changed his opinion the country should lie informed. Parliament should be summoned immediately, and a new policy ou'lined. Mr Ramsay MacDonald contended that all the French victory meant was that a powerful, well-armed country had taken a broken. disarmed country and strangled it, but France would not get n mark more than she could have obtained without putting n single soldier in the Ruhr. Although the Frenchman individually was bettor off than the Britisher. Fran.ee "ns unable to sufficiently tax her wealth to enable her to balance the Budget. The time had now come for France, Britain, Belgium and Italy to reach an agreement, on inter-Allied debts. Britain must- again take her proper place and help to re-ereate Europe.

Ab* early statement regarding Britain's position h to be tnode by the Prime

-minister, probably on Monday at the opening of the Imperial Conference. Mr Baldwin lately had a conversation with the French Premier at Paris, but it ivas confidential, and on top of that there is much mystery about tlie whole matter. A clear exposition will be made no doubt at the -lglit time. Already the British Piemier l>-.s discussed the situation with his Cabinet. That the matter in hand is complex is evidenced by the fact that the meeting lasted 2j- hours—which is a protracted period for a Cabinet meeting. The lobby correspondent of the. London “Express'’ says that the Marquess Curzon, as author of the Ames to the Allies, has been perturbed by recent events hut Mr Baldwin could assure him that lie had not surrendered at Paris any principles on which the Cabinet had te.solved. Mr Baldwin is credited with being intensely practical and commonsunse, and should not be likely to place his neck in a. noose with Franco, adroit though M. Poincare may be in pushing nis irrevocable views upon people. The crux of the whole position for Britain is largely financial and Mr Baldwin may have been oxploting possibilities in that direction.

British public opinion is sure to be concerned very greatly in the outcome of the present position. The whole situation is critically important. German authority may not be equal to enforcing itself in any action calculated to be a capitulation to France. France though outwardly adamant would no doubt welcome a. compromise which would lolieve the position for which the onus in chief rests on Fiance. There is the suggestion that the occupation of the Ruhr w ill he made less visible. This looks like a concession to Germany without being a definite promise. France as tile bailiff in charge lias had the opportunity of seeing fiist hand what she can get out of the financial wreck of Germany—for such it is. The German mark now is utterly valueless, and France has contrinuted directly to that condition of affairs. She has forced her position as victor, irresjK'ctivo of the cost. She lias lost in money more than she can recover in cost, and she has gone a long way to destroy the resources of Germany to meet other Allied obligations. Britain as tin* rihef creditor is concerned in that aspect of the matter, and as Mr Baldwin is a strong man on finance, it can he well understood in any rouvci'Kittion with M. Poincare, the settlement question of intor-Allicd debts would not be lost sight of. Events are moving evidently towards some form of settlement, but would appear that a heavy discount on first expectations will requite to be made.

The bocal Bodies of Westland were in conference this week. The value of worth of ilie-c meetings eaimot be gungeil by present results. The benefit will be necessarily cropping up later. The re out meeting considered quite a large programme of suggested possi•nililies in lospect to district activities, but just as Rome was not built in a day, so the many matters touched up and resolved upon, cannot be Drought into being by mere words. Works are wanted, and also some laitli for some of the matters cover a long range vision. Although the meeting was not largely attended, it wris at least representative. The public rro slow to interest themselves in matters of local import, calling for a little personal effort. But their moral support is invariably forthcoming where legitimate projects arc launched lor the public weal. The inngc of mattes discussed covered various requirements, and the appropriate motion was adapted unanimously. To that extent the unanimity of the meeting was iindoii' tetl, and the round-the-tablo talk was eet, uninteresting. The meetings afford the opportunity for a closer intercourse ti.au the formal meetings of local bodies which have to deal with so many executive matters. The Conference has a freer hand. U is less restricted arid unconventional, and on that account with a fre.g lance can launch projects for public consideration which in nine cases out of ten will lie approved ultimately.

Natcrai.i.y, nt all conferences of tlio making of resolutions there is no eiul. But they are at least helpful in assisting to get somewhere. They open the portal, and point the way lor this or that development which achieved, will he of advantage to the district. Actually the community should be grateful to those gentlemen who so cheerfully give their time and talents for the public benefit. The Mayor interred to the number of local institutions established here. But each has its mission, and through thw personnel is often overlapping, the bodies are entire separate in. functioning, and have their own sphere for action, t.eriainly they ai\> earnest about their work, and sustained is their action. Because ol those sincere virtues they are to be commended and enejnraged. and we hope w ill go on in the elfort to improve the fortunes of the town and district. At the same time the recurring meetings of the bodies keep subjects ol local interest prominently in the public opinion. A good deal of the unanimity enjoyed hv the community in its public affairs, is due. we believe, to the frequent meetings of the focal bodies, and the amount of publicity given to their proceedings. The public are taken regularly into confidence and appreciate the amount of information thereby afforded.