The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, NOV. 20th, 1923. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, NOV. 20th, 1923. THE WEEK.

Events in Euto] e. according to Viscount Grey, ;ne slt-i] ing tor a new war, ‘‘perhaps not immediately, but very certainly.” Even those who regard this opinion as unduly pessimistic are bound to recognise that a critical situation is dot eloping. The Tieaty of Versailles is in danger of becoming a dead letter because the (>!■• n*.-i jul Allied, Powers—particularly Britain ttt.d France--tire ttnahle to agree ti> on methods of carrying it into client. bitiiking evidence oil this point lias been provided during the past week. The Allies, apparently, are unable to agree upon joint action with regard either to the return to Germany of the c\-Crov. n prince, or tho refusal of the German Government to accept the re-e-labJi-hiieen of the interAllied cotiimis-iou of military eontiol the body which was charged with the duty of seeing that armaments fit Germany were kept, within the limits ]<_•;- in it ted by treaty. An Allied demijn-h over these developments is evidently ot even more serious importance than the- already existing deadlock over re. paraUoiis. Tile return of the ex-Ctow n Prime is perhaps not of cardinal iin[oita.iice, hut no sucli comfort,able view ran he taken of tho threatened scrapping of the machinery by which the Allies planned to restrict German armaments. If Allied control of German armaments is at an end, the po—ihility appeals that Germany sooner m later may puss from passive to active measures in insisting the enforcement of Lite Treaty of Versailles. In tfiis connect ion it has to he considered that her militarist factions conceivably may contrite to teach an understanding with the. Bolshevik dictators ol Russia. It, rather accentuates than eases the total problem that France is in close touch and understanding with Poland and several of the small States of C entral Europe and the Balkans,

lUK great question meantime is whether anything can he done towards recst ihlishing Allied unity. It is unfortunately obvious that prospects from tins standpoint arc anything lint, encouraging. Observing that (lie root, of the trouble was that France and Bri tain had not been pulling together. Viscount (Irey, with tine impartiality towards his political opponents, added that he was hound to say that Britain had been doing her best to work with Francs'. The cause of the two conn tries not pulling together “was that Franco had conducted a policy in tin Kulir which wo believed in the beginning was mistaken and would produce results opposite to the French expectations. Events had proved tha' Britain was right." Visible facts support this temperate statement and conclusion. Franco carries the responsibility of having broken up the unity ol the Allied group. At the same time her policy towards dermany is demonstrably ineffective. It is bringing her neither reparations nor security. In principle there is everything to he said for the proposal advanced by deneral Slants that Britain should without delay .summon a conference of the Powers interested in reparations to deal with that, question from the broadest standpoint. It must be supposed, however. that if there had been any prospect of bringing France into agreement a conference on these lines would have been proposed by the Imperial Conference.

Thk assembled representatives of the Empire may easily have concluded that such a conference would serve only to emphasise the present lack of agreement between the Allies. As a result of the attitude taken by Fiance, and the limitations she sought to impose, even an inquity by an advisory committee into deneuny’s capacity to pay reparations lias been found impracticable. In these circumstances an international conference to deal from the widest standpoint with reparations evidently would he quite ineffective. In considering this unpromising situation, account has to lie taken not only of Governments, but of the people they reptesent. It is possible for instance, that the people of France may become tired of supporting a policy which not only fails to yield the results that are desired, but very obviously and in an increasing degree tends to intensify the dangers it is intended to avert. Unless the way is thus cleared for the restoration of Allied unity, Britain in all likelihood will drift into the position of abandoning any further attempt to cooperate with France in bringing Germany xo terms. A state of affairs in which France refuses even to modify an ineffective policy and asftiimos the right to dictate to her Al-

lies as well as to Germany is not likely to be allowed to continue much longer. However, there is something of a silver lining showing as an unconfirmed press report suggests Britain and Franco have reached an agreement. It were well if this he so. The position is more hopeful, and the rise in the exchange and the improvement of British securities suggests the portents are now not so alarming as they were earlier in the week. One of the main problems in connection with tho -Midland arilway line is the question of securing sufficient consignments to make the return journey of goods trains from Christchurch to the West Const a payable proposition for the Department. The matter is one of great importance to merchants as well as to the Government. Under the present scale of freight charges, large numbers of trucks which have brought coal over from tho Coast go hack empty wtek after week. Full or empty, the trucks must go haelc. otherwise coal transport will become disorganised. Naturally enough, traders on this side of the Alps are endeavouring to secure freight reductions and the co-operation of such organisations as the Uariterlnny Progress League, and the Canterhuty Chamber of Commerce has been obtained for that purpose. Strong representations will now he made to the Minister, and we hope that they vilprove successful. If they are not successful. th(‘ Department will he onlv paving the way for the insertion <n another item ill the annua! railwa\ statement coneeruing a line that dors not pay. The line ought, at least, to he given a chance of competing wit' the steamer service on equal terms It is surprising to note, however, that there is opposition to this view hy :j few merchants in Grcymoiitli. They contend that a readjustment of ra/v. ay rates would give too much of an advantage to Lhri.-tehui ell nie: chants, isllix-ly not. Even if such a readjustment did. at the out-ct, adversely affect a number of West Coa-t trade. . the peimancnt results would lie altogather different. When a bigger volume of trade llows from Christchurch to (,'reymouth, Hokitika. Reelton and Westport, the benefits will he immense i'll round. That is the main purpose ol the .Midland railway and the Aitimr's Pass tunnel. They have linked up Canterbury and the "West Coast. It remains foi the people ot both dis--11 it ts to take full advantage of this lien avenue ot trade— and lor the Department to tor-mirage traffic

Is: anothei (oliimn to-day some general particulars are given of the scope and extent of the large Exhibition to open here in just throe weeks’ time. This night three weeks (December lot. Hokitika "ill he a very crowded town, and the Exhibition building a. glare of light and a mass of moving people. The particulars given go to show that the Exhibition will justify all the attention lit public will give it. The support extended to the project by Dominion exhibitors is very substantial, and must have been very encouraging to the promoters of the large undertaking the Exhibition is demonstrating itself to he. The opening in three weeks’ time i.likely to be graced by at least three .Ministers of the Crown, including Sir F. D. Hell, acting Prime Minister, Sir Heaton Rhodes, and Hon. A). Donnie Stewart. There will lie a large party of distinguished visitors from all parts I f New Zealand, ineluding lI.M. Trade Commissioner, and heads of various public Departments. Altogether for the time being, and over the principal weeks of the summer holidays. Hokitika will he a centre of veiv great interest, and thousands of people are going to he attracted here. Will! siieli a prospect ahead, the towntoll; must needs prepare themselves for a friendly invasion ol no mean proportions. Business people gene: idly must expect a large business. Those in the accommodation line, will expect to have all their resources taxed. 'I lie wise virgins are betimes booking their aeeommotl.'iiion. This is necessity mm whether visitor.- purpose coming for the opening, the. holidays, or afterwards. The town itself must do iis best to rise to the occasion in every way possible. for it could not have a better opportunity to do tDoll credit, and derive an advertisement which will he of a lasting effect. Looking to the future nl Westland the most should he line!" of the Exhibition period to impress visitors with the natural resources of the place, and the fitness of making Westland their future home. Population itho chief aid to rapid internal development, and the more folk that can he retained from tho army of visiting sightseers, as also, from these coming to spy out tile, land, the better it- will he tor making a, prosperous future more assured than over.