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Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1925, Page 2

A rather remarkable book, entitled “England,” in two large volumes, says the London “Chronicle”, hrs been written as a. complete study by Professor Wilhelm Dibelius, of ovcry aspect of English life and character, and of the historical development, of the British Constitution, Empire, religion, education, and economic system. Though a stern critic, and sharing the conventional Continental prejudice about what is called English “cant,’ Professor Dibelius admits:—“The world war has shown that England possessed all the forms of strength that Germany lacked. It had the strength of political will that saw in every defeat onl\ the impulse to energetic action; it possessed the most brilliant statesmen of the word, and with them a nation filled with the strongest political instinct, and a unity of purpose tha absolutely never entertained the thought of defeat, it showed a vitality, and, in spite cf all adhesion to old forms, n, political adaptability to the demands of the moment unequalled by any of the other nations engaged in the world war.” Declaring that the British Parliamentary system is the envy of every student of State reforms, the author writes: —“What we must learn, in the very first place, from England, unless we are going to perish completely, is what alone can give content and life-strength to political institutions—namely, a sense of polities. Every Englishman is political to the finger-tips. What the German calls politics are struggles of rival economic interests. . . or else that politics are might, as in old Prussia only might, only oppression, only sabrerattling, only the mailed fist. The one thing that we must learn irom England is that politics mean something quite different. They mean joy in the organised activity of the community. in the natural leader, in the loyal co-operation of the crowd inspiritedlv following the leader.” With all his admiration for many English qualities and capacities, Professor Dibelius is opposed to what he regards ns the possibility of an English, or at any rate, an 'Anglo-Saxon world domination. He believes that the race was never so near “the object which wqs the dream of Cecil Rhodes,” but urges the world not to listen to the “siren voices’’ which sing of n world Fence

under an English world domination. “A world without a powerful England would he impoverished, but a world under an all-powerful England would wither” is the concluding sentence of this hook.

To ensure an improved tourist traffic to South Westland it is highly essential to have the small stream crossings bridged either with permanent structures, or with light motor bridges. Iti other parts of New Zealand, and notably on the East Coast, all crossings are invariably covered by light .structures when permanent bridges are not erected, and needless to say they are

a comfort and convenience to motor traffic. .Motor traffic is now so general, both locally and by visiting holiday makers with their own cars, that it is well to cater for the traffic. The southern district is served essentially now by motor, and to facilitate traffic, bridges aro the next essential. There is a good road surface, ensurin a lair turn of speed, and the only drawback to render traffic uncertain in

changeable weather aro the bridgeless stream crossings. In normal weather they arc not a drawback, hut many of them are so near to the loothills that in the first fall of copious min, they begin to have terrors for the motorist. They rise and fall rapidly according to the rainfall, hut it is just that vagary which is the chief menace to motor traffic. In several instances light motor bridges could ho thrown across, which would serve the desired purpose and prevent traffic being held up. The larger creeks such as Dry Creek or McDonald's, or Slaty Creek, need pcrma.ncnt structures as soon as possible lieeause they discharge a great volume of water in Hood and carry so much heavy debris, that a light structure would not be equal to requirements. When the Minister of Education was south, the matter was brought before hint, hut unfortunately bridges are out of his domain. He may spend millions—as lie does—on Education', hut Public Works are in charge of another Minister, hi lo south road is a main highway, and it is a great arterial road taking the place of a railway, as it will for many years to come. It is not too much to ask that the streams known to impede motor traffic at present, should he attended to as promptly as possible. '1 he south people have a strong case, and a Minister in Mr Coates favourable to the works. In those circumstances the demands of the district should be pressed to the fullest extent with the authorities in charge of me road.