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Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1924, Page 2

The now preference proposals to the Dorn inions of* the F.mpire by the D'itisli Government are based on a simple idea of providing a million a year for developing schemes for the marketing in Britain of produce from oversea parts of the Empire. The hare suggestion is simplicity itself, and is likewise an action in good faith to maintain the definite fiscal policy of the party. It will lie in the details of the proposal where the test will come, hut. for this aspect, the Dominions are to lie called together as an Imperial Economic Committee, and acting as an advisory hoard, launch a relieving system. Oil the face of it the proposal carries a good deal of conviction, ft is founded on the decisions of the Imperial Conference of 15107. The idea of developing markets within the .Empire by special aid in freights or bounties, is preferable in general t<> a preference customs tariff. Tinkering with • the customs duties invariably leads to heart-burning* and particularly so in free-trade England where tarifl issues generate so mmh controversy among the political parties. From the cabled reports it. is clear that* both the .Labor and Liberal leaders are not very satisfied with the Conservative plan for meeting the position. On the otliei hand, favorable criticism came also from the Opposition hem-lies. But it appears manifest that until the actual line of policy is determined upon, a

criticism of possible details is hut heating i'lm air. As to the principle itself, that appears to he a solution of the matter in the interests at all events of the Dominions There will he some benefit to oversea trading. Its value to the Motherhand remains to he seen, as also the general effect on the Dome trade with intcr-nntionrf. It is at least satisfactory that the Commons are not disposed to repulse oversea trading, hut prefer to encourage it. That is made plain by the division which established the policy of the Government hv HAD to 151. The Government has a clear mandate in the matter, and with care in the development of the policy, advantage should accrue in due course in the ma rketing of Empire products at Dome.

Tiik proposal advocated from the l lilted States of America to establish a White League in the Pacific, ostensibly against .hipatt, should not receive much official encouragement from Great Britain. Tlie tension between America and .Inpaii is of course well understood ami the motive for the suggestion might he found in that tension, hut what differences there are should not be made also a burden for other nations. A White League as proposed would he an overt act against Japan which we doubt verv much whether Great Britain could countenance under existing circumstances. When Lord Sttlishtilt was a party to the Anglo-.laptuiese treaty. Great Britain in the long run got very full value out of the compact. The alliance would no doubt have been continued but for the Disarmament Conference, and for t lie same reason tlm decisions at that Conference should veto such a step as the White League. .Lilian kept faith in regard to the treaty, and New Zealand had occasion to remember that fact. To go hack so soon on the partnership would tie to Hoot those who readily helped when there was oeeasiott to put the penal clauses of the treaty in force. Wo are sure that among the British nation, however much there may he the feeling for unity among English-speaking people, there is i.o desire to ostracise a friendly race such as tile Japanese has proved, and which would he the result were the proposals regarding the White League to come to pass. Ihe proposal at this juncture, with tlie American Navy about to set out on a Pacific ocean tour, is very unfortunate, for it makes the matter of the reception of the visiting fleet at British ports more difficult. The visitors will he royally welcomed wo are sure, but not with any desire for a military alliance to dominate Japan. England trusted Japan in the past to the fullest, and the trust was not utilised. Japan kept iaith with Britain in the hour of need and destiny. and played a, ltohle part. It is not the way of the British to neglect proved friends, and for that special reason it may he regarded with a good deal of certainty that the American proposal will not meet with much official favour from Britain—the most important Power. America can approach in this matter.

Mossrs M. Houston and C\».. 'will soil on Monday at 2.30 p.m. Hi sacks prime table potatoes (old). The Railway Department advertise in this issue the rail fares from Ifokitika to Omoto in connection with the Greyinoulli .Summer rate meeting. Boy’s Xmas suits from 27s (id to oils Gil all sizes at W. 11. Stopforth’s Be veil St.— Advt. It is likely that a magisterial en<l itii-y will he held at an early date in respect to the recent fire at the dwelling of the Acclimatisation Society at Lake Kanieri. Detective Young lias been investigating the matter on Icltalf of the police. Bazaar—Come along to St. Mary’s Club Booms to-night, the closing night of the Bazaar. Special bargains in till the stalls, which cater for the Xmas wants of patrons. A beautiful display of goods of every description is on view. —A din ission frec.—Advt.

Passenger flying at the Wigram Aerodrome. Christchurch, is again find, ing favour. During the past two or three mouths, applications for flights have been numerous, and the pilots are being kept busy. All the aeroplanes are now in good order for the refresher course which commences on January HI.

Mr 11. M. Coulsou, Dental Surgeon, wishes to notify that in accordance with the usual custom his rooms will lie closed from December 24th.. 15)24 ; reopening January sth., 1025.—Advt.

So far some twelve applications have been received for deer stalking licenses in the Mansi region of South Westland. A total of sixteen or eighteen in all may he granted for the territory availaMe. The season will cover March and April, and the license fee will be L‘s. Four heads will l.e the limit for each gun. Applications for shooting blocks should reach the Westland Acclimatisation Society as early as possible ow. The total births for November register id for urban areas amounted to D 77. as against 1103 in October, a decrease of 12(i. The deaths in November were •170, a decrease of lit) as compared with the previous mouth. Of the total deaths, males eoiilrilmtcd 215 and females 225. Forty-eight of the deaths were of children under five years of age. being 10.21 per cent of the whole number. Thirty of these were under one year of age.

According to a statement made by the .secretary of the New Zealand Employers’ Fcdcrdnt ion i.\lr T. (). Bishop) at Wellington, the agreement which hits been reached regarding the conditions of emoloyment at the West. Coast mines is now awaiting the signa. titles of the parties. It is expected that Die whole matter will he fixed up before the holidays. The new agreement is to remain in force from the commencement of the first pay period after ratification until April HO, f!)2(i.

One of tlie alt rat lions at the Swimming Carnival to he held on Xmas afternoon will lie a race tor Jockeys. For this event Mr Andv Snell of the Bailway Hotel has generously donated a gold-mounted whip for the winner. Needless to say. there should la* keen competition for this event owing to the large number of Jockeys visiting Hokitika to take part at the Races the following day. All racing enthusiasts have been notified of the competition which will involve the Championship of the Coast.

Nopia has played in every match in the Old Country to date and with the spells that the All Blacks will enjoy before their next matches in England there seems no reason why he should not create a record of playing in all matches. Irvine, who hooked against Hampshire oil Wednesday, has also done his lull share oT the work. He has taken part in twenty-three out of the twenty-six matches that the All Blacks have played to date. ’Die All Blacks will now have a good spell. Their next match is the return fixture with Leudon Counties on December 27. Tlieu they will have a week’s spell before they meet All England oil Jann arv H. These spells between the two remaining matches of the lour in England should prevent the players becoming stale and the prosneets of the New Zealanders going through the tour without a defeat are bright.

The .Minister of Health (Sir Maui Pomare) lias defined his attitude on the question of tin' right of admission to public hospitals and on their control.

" Why should not a rich mail,” lie asks, "who contributed h.v taxation to the establishment ami upkeep of public hospitals, have the benefit of the lacilii ies of the institutions which he pays for. facilities which very few private hospitals possess? Is there any reason why iinhi ic hospitals should lie kept only for poor people? The Minister agrees that if anyone of means desires special facilities in the way of private accommodation or extra nursing, that he should he made to pay for these extra attentions. At the same time lie holds that such people have a Midi right to go into public hospitals for treatment.

Special reductions on carpets at Schroder’s. Kidderminster 9 x 7.Gin Cti 10s; Axminster squares 9x9 CIO 10s. 9 x 10. din CIS 10s, 10.0 x 12 £2l; Wilton squares 10.0 x 9 £22 10s; vestibule carpet, Aminstor 7.0 x .‘t Dos; Wilton vestibule carpet 10.0 x L(> £8 10s; Persian vestibule runner 10.0 x -1.0 C 9 10s; Wilton ball carpet 7.0 x 1.0 C< 17s Od: carpet runners 2s Oil. 7s Od, 9s Od upwards. Kndless variety in hearth rugs, from los Od, also sofa squares in velvet pile, Axminster and Persian squares, at every price at Schroder and Co., the leading carpet and lino. firm. Do not miss calling in at, Schroder’s shop early.—Advt. Buy the toys at McKay's. Big selection, lowest prices.—Advt. Where to buy your Xmas gifts—at McKay’s—Choose now, avoid the crush later. ’ We will lay it by for you.Advt. Men! You should have no dilliculty in selecting your ’Xmas bat. 1 have tho correct shapes and shades in Stetsons. Borsalinos. Bat tersbys. etc. Ins poet ion invit«*il. \\ . H- Stojitui ill s. Bevel 1 St.— Advt.

(lift suggestions for Indies. Mo have a full ranee of fancy handkerchiefs, gloves, hosiery, fancy soups, face cream and powders and also poudei pud's. Addisons. —Ad vt. Ladies A har white Canvas Shoos. Cabin heels, Ids lid at Ilallenstein’s.— Hove! St.—Advt. "Tan-ol” the perfect furniture and floor polish, is sold in liquid or paste form. Kasv and economical. Ad\t. Arriving end next week a large consignment of choice apricots lrom Central Otago. Our instructions are to sell at lowest ruling pi ice. Book orders early. Paterson. Michel and Co., I-td. —Advt.

Factory Owners: I'se *• Candy’s ’ Genuine Malta Belting. Huns straight and true, free from stretch, pliable and strong. 1!. P. M. Manning and Co. Ltd., A Bedford Bow, Christchurch. —Advt.