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Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1923, Page 2

The political ghost, of the ‘‘new party” which lias been, stalking New* Zealand for a few weeks, seems to have been successfully laid. Probably the British elections, and their outcome will have some lesson for New Zealand, and may stimulate action hove in regard to possible. not to say probable, fusion. AA> have seen at Home how estranged political opponents have been brought, together by a common political danger. It is quite on the cards that political possibilities in the Dominion might have nil effect here in the same way. There are changes in the air, and there are rumours abroad as to possible events when Mr Massey returns. Before his return the results of the British elections will he history, but it may he a guide, if not a jointer, to the parties here. At Home there is the three-cor-nered fight. New Zealand in the ordinary course will be called uj;on to enter into a triangular contest. The prospect may not be too alluring, and the estimate of possibilities will govern the pnlitioal.action of the parties on the subject of fusion, or at all events as to some understanding governing the attitude of the parties one to the other. The big fight at Home interests the Dominion, therefeie, in more ways than one. In referring yesterday to the promising success attending the work of the Exhibition Choir, a reference was made to wiiat the town of Hokitika can do wle-n it sets out cm some task rather out of the ordinary. The Exhibition affords 1 lentv of scope for energy in all directions, and it is pleasing indeed to see that all matters pertaining to the big event are progressing so satisfactorily, ft is without doubt the greatest venture yet attempted on the Coast. The shape it is taking gives promise of all round success. The reference to the musical arrangements refers to only one branch of the arrangements, but the progress and the promise show that the town has latent talent equal to the call, and in the musical portion will do itself :*o mean credit. The Exhibition is now entering very much into the minds or the people. It is beginning to overshadow* other things, and the promise it gives of being a great success, is. warming uj> the imagination to the greater possibilities which will follow in its train. Hokitika, s going to add to its reputation, as it will add to its stature, by the outcome of the big venture. and for that* reason it is not di-fi-euli to understand the fine spirit wit*!'

which the people generally are enterini' into the whole spirit of the Exhibition. Major-General Younohusuanh who ha.s had 40 years of' service in the Bri-ti-i Army lias written interestingly of his experiences, which ef course, culminated in tlio Groat War where ho was at times an interesting figure. During thr 40 years, however, the Empire has expanded greatly, and the soldier-au-thor makes an interesting reference to the growth. Ho says: ‘ln 1878 the British Empire was deemed to have reached its zenith. It was even then greater and more puweiful than the Homan Empire, or those of Alexander the Great, or of Cyrus. King of Persia. By many it was deemed then to be about to follow the fore-ordained destinies of all great empires, and gradually to take its place with Borne and Gieeee, and Persia, in the great Instill ic past. But history, as if tired of irs own plagiarism, determined to he progressive, and to show stilf greater I call II s. In Asia, the kindom of P.urtnah has been added to the British Empire and in Mesopotamia. Palestine and Arabia, the paramount power is British. In Africa immense territories, stretching from tin Mediterranean to the Cape of Good Hope, live under the l nioii .lack, or under the shadow of its rule. Millions of sipnare miles of country and millions of people, afor>fiiut, enemies, now acknowledge allegiance. to the King of England, and live in peace under his sceptre. Canada stretched out and acijuired new terntoiii's, whilst hardy travellers to tITe North pole and the month Pole planted the British flag'on unknown lands. Islands of the Pacific were coni|uercd by Australians and New Zealanders nn.l added to the Empire. Thus it may be judged that, in forty years the British Empire lias doubled itself in extent of territory, and in population it has incn used by several millions. The sun never sets on the dominions of the King of of England, and in righteousness and justice docs he reign over half Dm world.”