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Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1924, Page 2

TnKitk urns just the suggestion in some of his earlier speeches when becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, that M r MacDonald was inclined to he an internationalist—without special regard tor his iiuu country. Later speeches show Air MeaDoiiald is proud of Britain, mid aims at keeping it the ecnlic of the Empire, the home of Imperialism with the oversea Dominions coining closer and closer into contact. Ibis impression is gathered from last week’s cable news. At the annual meeting of the Empire Parliamentary Association Mr .MacDonald referred to the Empire as a “miscellaneous fabric.’’ which some supposed was doomed to destruction with the advent (d the Labour Government, hilt events had shown how well lxibour had played its part. He was anxious to make Britain so big and 'influential in the besl sense of the word that the great, selfgoverning dominions would ieel le.d pride in belonging to her. f l hey would find London still the seat of the Motherland. Ho emphasised the necessity for maintaining personal contact as the only way of creating the best relations and removing misunderstanding. Continuing, Air MacDonald said.—“AYe are annihilating time and space. T daresay if we live to enjoy man’s natural span, we will he able to sit down on the corner of a sofa and talk to the Parliament in Alelhouine as il the latter occupied the other end of the sofa.’ if both Britain and the dominions were to maintain harmonious contact, it must he by visits and return visits which the association was best able to arrange.

The move made by the local town Council to have the many dilapidated fences about the. town improved out ol all recognition, is a step in the right direction. Hokitika has such a future before it, that it deserves to he made the model town of the C'oast. It will not be a hardship nowadays to call upon the owners of sections to improve their indifferent fencing. Land hereabouts lias assumed now such a value that it is well worth fencing. Indeed a well fenced section of land will be more readily saleable always than an adjoining pieco of land poorly fenced. Besides we are here in a timber country where ample material is ready at hand and a. paint brush can embellish always an unsightly fence, or if need be help to preserve it. The town lias many fences which are relics of other days. They have long served the day of usefulness, and it is high time they were replaced. The progress of the town calls for this attention from the citizens, and it is hoped as a result of the motion passed by tbe Borough Council on Friday night many of the eye-sores will disappear and be replaced by something in keeping with the more prosperous times prevailing than the bedraggled fences and worse, indicate. The Council is moving in the right direction, and it is hoped the citizens will respond readily where necessary.