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Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1924, Page 2

Ai.Tliouon the Liberals tried to temper the political gale over the Cnmpb prosecution, to the greater comfort of the Bailor party in the matter of prestige, Air ALicDouald would have none of it. Sir John Simon’s amendment to the Conservatives’ direct attack, toned tlie position down to a Select Committee enquiry on which, as Arr Asquith explained, the Liberals did not seek representation. Labor could have whitewashed itself very comfortably—but the Prime A fillister must lie feeling verv confident Of liis position for ho would liavs nope of it — neither

would he bargain with the Liberals. The defeat of the Government was therefore inevitable once the Liberals went into the opposite lobby, Mr AhicDonald’s advice to the King has been accepted, and the election Mill come swiftly. The date, 29th. October, is mentioned, and party organisations are busy with the preparations for the appeal to the people. There is a certain amount of occasion for Labour to l:c confident about its appeal to the country. The leaders in power have' comported themselves not unsatisfactorily. They have done a great dealmade considerable headway with difficult problems. At tbe same time—and this is important as to their political character and achievements—they have kept a good deal of their policy in the background. The "red” section of it lias not been displayed. ■Ministers have spoken hotli discreetly and sensibly. Many line public addresses have been made hv Air MacDonald and his henchmen which had a line national ring about them. There did not seem any occasion to doubt their sincerity. In that respect the crisis has come at a time not at all inopportune to Labor, and that the party will not appeal in vain may lie ganged by the unassumed glee with which the rank and file regard the results of the coming election, if the results are as favourable as Labor expects, then the Ministry will have full and free play to develope its policy. It is at that stage when the best estimate can be made of a Labor Government. Hut during their temporary term of office they have made good certainly and earned a fuller measure of support at least.

Tnr. political elements in Italy do not mix too readily. There is a. wide-di-viding line. While the Fascists are supreme. thanks to the dominating personality of Mussolini, the opposition is not silent or suLiluoil, jiiml <loon not quail from criticising Fascism. The “Slampa,” one of the most influential opponents of the Fascist order, lately said: —“The. recent speech of Signor Mussolini to the •Iflaekshirts’ of Milan has not dissipated the malaise wliieli weighs upon home politics, and has not diminished the estrangement between Fascism and the Italian people. In the past year the internal situation in Italy has improved: the authority of the state is greater: Jaw has largely regained its power and ii• rlopeiidom.-. C'.ert.'jinly a iliatimt ion must be drawn between town anil country; in the provincial and country districts the .situation still remains mondisorderly and precarious; hut it must lie recognised that the dilliciiltics of the Government are great, and we do not wish to deny to it our confidence that it will succeed in doing vet more in the future. Signor Mussolini deplores and denounces the violence of the Fascist extremists. Hut in his Milan speech be still speaks ol tbe Italian people as though it- were divided into two categories, upiight citizens (Fascists) and citizens tolerated by Fa-wist, generosity -tbe elect and the reprobate. This is ] reciscly the extremist mentality! 1 lie essential point is. lias .Mussolini accepted definitely accepted— tbe constitutional laws of tbe kingdom of Italy! II be lias accepted them, constant threats against ojq onciits arc sii) crlltlotls 01 illegitimate. That harmony of spirits for which Signor Mussolini, we believe, is sincerely anxious, is not to be attained through insults and threats; a people is not educated by showing it a whip in one band and a bludgeon in tbe other.”

I.n the .sporting world our emissaries abroad continue to give New Zealand much publicity. The All I thick s continue cm their uninterrupted series of victories adding match by match to the more pronounced success ol their record. In Australia New Zealand horses are lilting tbe public eye very cnnspirii'iie.ly. Tin- sue: css ol (•lemming is an outstanding event, for ibis Wonderful Imr-e. ag**d t hough bo i-. continues to make icecirds. 'I ho success o| New Zealanders and New Zealand representatives in all activities -if sport is some-tiling to lie proud til. tor it shows .something of tbe virility of this young nation and its prowess when circumstances oiler. The advertisement the- Dominion continues to receive though these sporting channels is the best, lor it captures tbe popular imagination in a manner which is arresting and impressive. Tbe ltiigby record is appreciated everywhere where tile code has its vogue, while tbe turf record will be noised abroad in every clime where folk take an interest in racing and what country does not. Tbe country may well be pleased with tbe c alual.le advertisement it is deriving from sport and tbe necessity of those performing under tbe banner <• and in tbe name of New Zealand.