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Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1924, Page 2

Jr there is no possibility of any leader bring able to command a majority in the Commons, then the Prime Minister may ask for a dissolution in order Lo take the verdict of the constituencies, and it is interesting, to note that thi,. point is being diseussd in Britain with some heat. It will arise in the event of Mi Ramsay MacDonald forming a Ministiy and then being defeated in the House. Labour advocates contend that lie would he entitled to ask for a dissolution, but Mr Asquith, an authority on constitutional matters, states that it would first, be the duty of the King to exhaust- all other possibilities. and that may mean the summoning of the Liberal leader. Ihe position is one -ol the greatest interest, am! there arc signs that it has attracted the attention of continental anil Ampi ienn jouimd.s. fortunately. unlike those counties with east iron constitutions. the British constitution is of an elastic nature, and it will adopt itselt to the new order. Ihe next few weeks may see Labour in ofii'.e at Home; power obtained l>v constitutional and not revolutionary methods. And the country will have completed a remarkable stage ill its history, a stage which witnessed the transference of power fiom the landed aristocracy of the early Victmian era. to and then from the commercial magnates who followed Cohden and. Bright to the workeis themselves. The Mother Country pnliticallv is passing through a very interesting stage and tin? outcome ol her decision will he subject to close scrutiny throughout the Kni] ire end bevnnd.

Titian: seems to he very long drawn out delay in securing the full conlto! of the Arthur’s Pass tunnel traffic by the Hallway Depart men t. It is not at all satisfactory to the community as a whole that the dual control of the traffic over the short section involved should continue indefinitely. It is time the Government was asked to take the proper steps to see tf e terms of the contract completed, and the length of line handed over to th»- Depot tment specially stalled and equipped to perform the setvice as part of the system of the whole Dominion. '1 he line is now being operated by the contractors under the Public Murks Depattment. and the Railways Department is something outside the sphere of control. This is u mix-up which is very unsatisfactory, as it is costly also to the people. There are sp,‘<i>al charges imposed on the traffic which may or may not recoup the Public Works Department for its pip’t in the conduct of the i uniting. Tint the public all the time are laying this extess, and there is the knowledge that till the Railways take over, the full bnefit. of the tunnel traffic will not result. The penalty upon the people must lie heavy, and it is not sound management that this condition ot aflair.s should go on indefinitely. It is high time there was a demand for the tr<tublMimcnt of settled conditions and single control.

On:: excellent purr os? the Exhibition movement Ims served is in bringing to the people ai a v«-ry nominal ebaigc.

eiio of the best hands of music in the Southern Hemisphere, ft is not a moan'achievement for a town the si/.o of Hokiitkn—hut there it is. the place has quite excelled itself in this mai ter by providing the best- obtainable. Bond music is always a treat, and it cut; hi* enjoyed always. Tho hand which is here* is playing a wide range of selection*.. For instance on Saturday right the audience broke into applause v lien a very familiar popular number was rendered. But there lias liecn milch good music, introducing several line* selections, yesterday in particular there* wn*( some glorious music to defiglit tIK ear. It is all a very great .treat and an education. Music is inspiring, and as rendered hy the very fine hand which is with us, the interpretation has always an impressive effect. The present hand hy feeing composts! of reed and brass instruments can produce effects which are not possible by the ordinary hand. T'mler the capable direction of the conductor, the effects are quite arresting. The several programmes rendered have been enjoyed by many hundreds of people who all are delighted. The appreciation extended to tho hand music is full wnrrantrv lot securing the services of the band for tin* Exhibition.