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Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1923, Page 2

There is one thing the British Government lias done* exceedingly well in tho troubled aftermath of the war, and that is the rare for the Empire's fallen on the battlefields of France, Flanders, Gallipoli, and elsewhere. The cable news the other day made reference to a British pilgrimage to war graves in France, and we are told that ‘"When the friends of the fallen saw the beautifully laid out cemeteries they realised flow well their beloved were cared for. Many broke down and wept.” Another pathetic incident was the hymnal- chant of the mothers as the returning steamer sailed from Boulogne for England. England likewise did well in paying a notable homage to her ‘'mighty dead." by the magnificent tribute paid to the “unknown soldier who was laid to final rest in 'Westminster Abbey with all the pomp and circumstance, which might have been accorded a Kingly personage. The care and consideration shown for t.ie British lend is all to the credit of the EmpireIt was a tribute W'ell earned. From the far corners of the distant seas they canto as fast as ships could bring them. Mr Lloyd Gforge has just departed for Canada- to express his acknowledgment there, what he will say to Canada applies to every other oversea Dominion. His mission of appreciation seems to be aptly complementary to the tender care and regard shown for the graves of the fallen, who cannot return again to their distant homos.

Mn C. H. M’Ccrdy, M.P., who was chief Liberal whip to the Coalition, in a late article on unemployment published by the “Daily Chronicle,” says : “Britain must- tunl her gaze from th e welter of confusion in Europe to the great territories and limitless resources of the dominions. t*he must explore afresh the possibilities of the homeland. Our home lands are capable of producing 50 to 100 per cent, more food than at present. Our railways and waterways need reorganisation. Bht the first essential is to oome to terms with labour. Both workers and employers must get- a square -leal. We must stop the rot of industrial discontent. Since tli e Armistice there

have boon 4285 disputes involvinga loss of 167,000,000 days of work. The coal strike of 1921 alone meant a loss of G0,C00,000 days’ work. A century ago Britain recovered from the Napoleonic wars because she had practically a moliopoly of industrial machinery. Now every nation is becoming more and more self-supporting. Foreign trade therefore, is not going to be easy and profitable lor ns iu future, unless we somehow recover part of the manufacturing supremacy wo enjoyed when Br-i tain was in truth trie workshop of the world. .1 do not doubt we can do it if the British people make up their minds to get to those higher standards of production, wages and well-being which the United States and the dominions are enjoying. Bnt we must do it for ourselves. I cannot imagine the statesmanship of M. Poincare and Signor Mussolini soon restoring stable

trade conditions in Kurope. It all these had been one instead of many trades the days lost in June would have provided all the labour needed to build 90,060 houses for workers.” The logic for the workers to deduct from the foregoing clear recital ol the position at Home, should bo apparent to all.

Hardly a year after his return to England from his Australian tour, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle visited the United States on a similar errand, namely to advance the cause of spiritualism and he has now described his experiences in “Our American Adventure.'’ Much of the hook is concerned with the progress of his campaign, and will appeal to his disciples rather than to the uninitiated, who quite frankly are unregenerate enough to prefer Conan Doyle the stoty-teller to Conan Doyle, tho exponent of psychic mysteries. However, he appears to have had a splendid reception and an excellent Press. He lectured to large, and enthusiastic audiences, and convinced many sceptics. For the rest he found that the American reporter, ii tactfully handled, is not so black as he is painted. In regard to prohibition. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle says that there was plenty of liquor about, and that it "as quite easy for anyone who was willing to pay the price to obtain. Nevertheless it- would be a mistake io make too in i sell of the Uoot-logging and il'ieit driiiknig which hulk s<> large ill the papers. Reformers have always reckoned on years of evasion, and are prepaied to wait for the full realisation ol their hopes until the new generation arises. He was often informed that all the crooks in tho country are ardent prohibitionists, because the law has opened up smuggling careers for them, which mean more money for them than they have ever handled before. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle went to_ sec a baseball match ‘‘rooted” for tTio famous “(limits,” and was deeply impressed by the game. Tie thinks that it is well suited for .England in summer. and hopes that the footballers will outrage American coaches and take it up. But it is unlikcley that it will ever displace cricket iu England.