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Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1924, Page 2

The Republican party of the United States managed Iteforc the week-end to get through its task of selecting party candidates for the Presidency and VicePrcsidencv. This was accomplished with the usual amount of noise and spectacular action. While the nomination of Mr Coolidge was generally anticipated, the selection of Colonel Dawes for the Vice-Presidoncv will be tile surprise. Tt was in reality, the second choice, as Mr Louden who had been acclaimed tbe chosen one. declined the honor, it is said because of bis treatment by tbe Convention four years ago, when be was forced to make wav for Mr Harding. Mr Coolidge is on a good trial as to bis capacity for tlio Presidency, but the decision now will lx* not one of merits but party power. .Mr Coolidge is not as brilliant orally as many of bis predecessors in the high office, but as a medium performer lie is making good slowly, yet none the less surely. The States have a difficult time ahead of it with .Japan, while in regard to domestic, or internal affairs there are matters'of tbe gravest interest to determine. The President to be elected in November next will have a difficult. not to say a trying role to fili. Colonel Dawes is a man of proved ability and would be a most usolul lieutenant to the President, should tlio Republicans again hold the office, ill's intimate knowledge of European affairs will lie. most helpful as a sure guide for his own nation, it is not unlikely that sooner now than later, tbe United Slates must take a closer interest in I lie sett lenient, of European affairs, and in that delicate task Mr Dawes is fortified with the best information available as to the true inward situation. It remains yet for tbe Democrats to make their choice. Tbe real struggle will be between tbe, two parties. There will be other sectional candidates, but the President elect will come from one or other party. The Democratic campaign will take shape very short!v now.

Vr the Borough Council meeting last week, Mr Jeffries made some timely remarks as to the need for cleaning up some of the liiunieipn! reserves within tlio Borough. In the desire to see a general improvement in tlio appearance of the town, there is no reason why tbe Council itself should not give the citizens a worthy lead. The Beautifying Society lias •made a move which is applauded on all sides, hut there arc corporate and individual responsibilities to be taken into account also, and the Council lias occasion certainly for sustained action in improving the appearance of its reserves. Most of the reserves are let. lint oven those in some instances are sadly overgrown with parse and other noxious weeds, and with dilapidated fences do not present a very creditable appearance. In calling public attention to the matter, Mr Jeffries has done good service, and it is to he hoped the remarks will not bo ineffective. Tn recalling the local obligations to attend to the neatness of the appearance of public places, the Council cannot afford to overlook the state of the ocean beach. I'Toin time to time it is allowed to drift hack into a state far from creditable lieenuso of the unthinking actions of the citizens themselves, some of whom deposit all sorts of rubbish Mid debris oil the beach, as the handiest place for its disposal. Surely a remedy is possible for tbe credit and good name of the town. But in mentioning the deposit of rubbish, there is tbe reminder that the Borough Council itself is a high offender in requiring tbe rubbish ol the town to be deposited within sight of a. public read on a reserve just over tbe town boundary. A most, offending sight, is being created. Surely the councillors as a whole cannot be cognisant of the discreditable monument the local body is responsible for directly. A personal visit would remind anyone that a less public site should '• secured for the deposit of the rubbish of the town, and it. is to he hoped the reproach which is now growing up on the outskirts of the. borough will lie obliterated, and a fresh rubbish depot selected.