The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporate. the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11th, 1925.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporate. the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11th, 1925.

AN INDIAN EMERGENCY. Thk fact that Lord Heading, the British Viceroy of India, wi's being invited Home to explain matters of difficulty in the Government of India, naturally suggests some emergency in Indian affairs. This is the more so, because in January last when addressing the parliamentary assembly, the Viceroy lamented the filet that in Bengal ordinary law, had ceased to he effective; the existence of widespread conspiracies for violent crime had been established; and a terrorist movement was widespread. It may he assumed from this that British rule stands in jeopardy for the time being. This notwithstanding that the late Air Montagu’s policy with regard to India was to give the nation a more liberal torin of gm c: iiineut. Something has been attempted which was not acceptable, or the people tie a whole were not ready to receive, an the system is breaking down. Out of goodness of heart, disloyalty was not grappled with firmly, and the weakness was played upon. A state of terrorism had been allowed to grow up, but legislation for dealing with the situation was rejected by the Bengal 4legislative Council, and it then became necessary for the Governor to exercise his power under the Indian Taw, certify to the bill, and sign it. This course was agreed to by the MacDonald Ministry as the only possible method of dealing with the dangers facing peace in Bengal, hut it indicates that a serious emergency had to he met, and of course there is no guarantee that, t lie difficulty has passed merely by the promulgation of a remedial law. The law lias to Ik? maintained, and this may call for action of a kind which might be considered more or less drastic. There is need for firmness and decision at all events, ’this is so both in India as in Egypt, for in both countries a seditious movement is afoot to undermine British ride or make the position intolerable for British officials. It has been declared over and over ag?.in that Britain will not relinquish her responsibility in India and it can be well understood that this declaration should he maintained in no unmistakable way. The position in India is rendered the more difficult because of the peculiarities of the native mind and the divisions of caste. The burden that Britain has taken up in regard to India is not a light one. Emergency is being created in divers ways, and not the least serious is that affecting the administration of both tlic civil and military rule. Particularly so in the former the difficulty is emphasised of securing candidates for the Indian civil service as also for military service officers. The posts are being shunned. It is going to he a difficulty to maintain a well selected staff to administer the law, and in that respect the native needs much tutelage. These are times when sedition appears to take root easily, and the late course of events in India show how rife the seditious spirit is. This set of circumstances will account very readily for the Viceroy being asked to visit England and discuss questions intimately with the Ministry. There will he, most

naturally, a very keen desire to sustain law and authority with the least fracture of peaceful methods, and to ascertain how far the Government may (r () in concessions which may make for tranquility. India is a notable section of the British Empire, a great source of wealth and importance, and it has been a care and responsibility on 1' nation over a long period of time. There will be the desire to see this time of emergency pass with the least harm to the prestige of all concerned, and with the speedy betterment to the Indian community. Taking the I iceroy into the fullest and mast intimate confidence is n proper step to take at this stage, and it is to he hoped that the measures which will follow will he for the lasting benefit of India and her peoples.

ject iu deep sincerity, and it is noticeaide lie is credited with deeply impressing the Commons with liis remarks. while liis Birmingham speech was described in the cable news as n sort of clarion call to the nation. Briefly, what he asked was that the great organisations of employers and workers should sit down together and make a frank determined effort to settle their differences, for he believed they were far more able to work out a solution of their troubles than mere politicians. In the Commons he elaborated on his theme, but his panacea tor labor troubles and disputes was to see the heads of both sides get together and steer for the open sea to avoid a head on collision. Forces are shaping at Home for industrial warfare. The employers have federated for a common defence, just as the workers are getting into a national alliance for combined attack. But this is crass stupidity, for the action carries with it wrecking possibilities. Air Baldwin has pleaded eloquently for industrial peace and it is to be hoped bis appeal will not be in vain. Mr Baldwin predicted a form of closer partnership following the inevitable evolution which is to take place. At hat tits iu at Home, should lit here, and though our difficulties and disturbances between capital and labor are less by comparison than with the great forces affected at Home, they are none tho less of great moment relatively, and the advise should not he overlooked in this quarter. Mr Baldwin is able to read the signs of the times aright, and seeing that there are difficulties with a formal legal review of the differences, a.ml the inability to enforce decisions adequately, some alternative lias to be sought which will have tho respect of the parties and lead up to a permanent respect for conditions entered into. An industrial storm can cause great havoc at Home, and the forces seem to he marshalling for the purpose. It is because of the crisis iu sight that the Prime Minister has bee. 1 , moved to draw attention to the matter, and seek to divert possible action along lines promising less dramatic results. The difficulties of the Home Government. it is clear, are not going to be solved by the political strength oT the partv in power for the time being. An equitable adjustment, man to man, lias to be made irrespective ol party or political creed, and to achieve that 2 quite a new line of policy lias to be developed. Air Baldwin has begun t< probe n way.

Tin: political leaders-have been cnjovitig a preliminary verbal bout, evidently to discover where the respective parties are beading for. The outcome has been helpful to .Mr Wilford and the Liberals, for the air seems to be definitely clear that the Liberals me not associating with either party. Air McLeod, the sub-lieutenant for I{etorni. endeavoured to push Air AA ill'onl on to the burns of a dilemma by an adroit move, asking for ail answer to a question very much like the old wheeze “have you knocked off beating votir mother-in-law. ’’ But the Keloiin query is quite out of its place, lor it is clear that Liberal votes in the House will not be cast to place Labor in power. That was demonstrated vci dearly ill past sessions. Labor is candid enough to say that the voting support of Reform or l.iboial is not inquired. But this is rather a safe attitude to take up, because it is making a virtue of necessity—both sides have declared very plainly they will not hoij Labor into office. I p to a certain point. Labor lias been most helpful to Reform. Mr Massey in a genial moment once admitted it was one of liis best assets. Labor has divided the Opposition into two camps which of course spell weakness. But Labor is growing, and as things are falling out. is becoming a thorn in the side of Beform. Feats certain for .Reform in the past are said to be going over to Labor, unless Liberals can capture them. 'I Im is so with city scats where the ranks of unionism are dosing, up politically. Mr Massey is in danger oi reaping a •a bil l" iml. The Liberals, however, will have to bo reckoned with. Air Atilloic! has been doing some useful spade work of late, and if the impending change so generally forecasted 'is going, t« come to pass, it is for the country to choose between Air AYil'ord and Mr Holland. The electors have plenty of time to make up their minds, and in doing so as a guide for tho future, call judge of the political past of the two parties, and where they head for. It should not take a great deal of hard thinking to remember the political leanings ol the two parties, and their possible trend if in office. On that account Liberal aspirations will be tho more popular with the masses when the final judgment is made.

A dance in :ii<l nf the school funds will Ik* held in Lower Kokatahi .school on Friday 13th. March. Advt. Infectious diseases reported in the Canterbury and West Coast Health Districts for the week ended noon yesterday totalled 70, as follows:—Canterbury: Scarlet fever, -I; diphtheria, 3; tuberculosis, I : pneumonia. 2; erysipelas, 1; puerperal septicaemia, 1; eclampsia. 1; infantile paralysis, 48; ophthalmia neonatorum, 1. Most Coast: Scarlet fever, 1 ; diutheria, 2; tuberculosis, 2. The death took place last night of K. C. Haars (Chris) a well-known resident of many years standing. He was a native ol Hanover, Germany, 8. years ~f age, unmarried and for (>( years had lived in New Zealand. For many years he resided on Mahinapuu Creek, South Hokitika, where he had an orchard, and in late years he has been residing in Kokatahi.

The Inangahua “Times” says: Wind might have I wen a serious coullagration on Sunday night at the exchange Hotel, was averted by the prompt discovery by a boarder. A bedroom .it the back of the building was discovered on fire about midnight. It appeals that some unauthorised person had slept there, and evidently set the bedroom on fire and disappeared. Mr Chettle, with help from the inmates, soon had the fire out. but a good deal of concern was caused by the outbreak.

The South Island organiser for the New Zealand Secondary Industries Court in the exhibition is securing a satisfactory number of applications for space from South Island manufacturers. With applications also coming in from the North Island it looks as though the whole of the allotment for secondary industries will Ire engaged shortly. M ell over 20,0011 feet of space lias already been applied for, and if areas which ha ve been pencilled are added, there are not many vacancies left. Taranaki, famed as New Zealand's leading dairy centre, bids fair to acquire a less enviable reputation. According to a statement made hv Mr John Caughley, Director of I'klueatioii. at yesterday’s conference between delegates from the Farmers’ Union and Mr Frank Tate, Director of Education in Victoria, the mindsor of farmers’ children, who leave school there without passing the sixth standard is double that of any other New Zealand centre. “This is attributable to the prevalence of the share system of milking,” said Mr Caughley.

Sawmilling .Machinery: Bush locomotives, Steam Saw Feeds, Steam C rossCut Saw’s. Logging Blocks. Timber Jacks, etc., from R. P. -M. Manning and C'o., 5 Bedford Row, Christchurch, representing A. and Cl. Price Ltd., Thames.—Advt. Special bargains in Millinery till Saturday next, your choice of two dozen ready-to-wears at 3s each.—Addisons.—Advt,

The new coat's have arrived, a great display at AlcKay’s.—Advt. A rubber-tyred gig, milk delivery cart, horse and harness are advertised for sale in another column. Air F. C. Fnntham, Collector of Customs, Nelson, who has been touring the AYest Coast with a party of bowlers, left for Christchurch yesterday morning, having been called tlieie owing to the illness of his father. The New Zealand Aleat Producers Board advises that the following prices are being offered 6tli. Alarch:—Canterbury. Prime woolly lambs COAs under 12'd, 37-12 ibs lljd; -13's over IPRI. Second quality lambs: 12d.

The County Council yesterday, on the recommendation of the Finame Committee. increased the Clerk’s salary to £■!,-,0 ver annum. It is interesting to record that Air Evans has now_ been thirty-three years and a half in the employ of the Council as clerk and treasurer.

Aloyuihan’s Bakery, Hampden Street, lias a notice in this issue as to "hole bread can be obtained at over-the-counter prices, the following stoics bar ing supplies:—Friend’s. Sewell Street: P:ukliill’s, Fitzherbcrt Street : Stnw's, Be veil Street; and Gooch’s Stafford Street.

At the Soldiers’ Hull, Thursday night ~t 8 opening benefit for the new building fund to raise -£2o!> for additional looms to the Hall; monster euchre tournament, with five special prizes, including a useful dinner set. Supper provided, and a social dance to follow. Admission 2s. Early attendance will secure a good seat.— Advt.

.Mr R. Kirk. Secretary of the Education Hoard at Christchurch, states Hint the question of school holidays later in the year had not been discussed as yet. but be thought it very probable that owing to the undue extension of the Christmas vacation by the epidemic, there would be no holidays at all in May, when there- was usually a fortnight for primary sctmol children. The first term would be continued until September.

Addison’s Great Summer Sale ends Saturday 7th. Alareh. Special bargains iu every department for the last lew davs.- Addison’s. —Alive.

Point to Geyser was very active the other dav (says the Rotorua papei), and gave a fine display. There has been a steady subsidence of the craters of the mud geysers in the Arikikapakapa Reserve and on the goli links, 'pjie big crater near the lake, which was full of water all last winter, is now down to its old hod. For some time past the thermal vigour of the whole region round the head of the reserve near the Taupe road lias been steadily decreasing.

The New Zealand Meat Producers Board has received a cable from its representative at Buenos Aivcvs, South America, advising the following shipments to the ITnited Kingdom for the fortnight ended (itli. Alarch 10213, from Argentine and L rnguay ; —11)2.125 quarters chilled hoof: HL2IO quarters frozen beef; 128.(100 can uses frozen mutton; 31.330 carcases frozen lamb. The quantity shinned to the Continent of Europe during the same period totalled 273.196 quarters frozen beef; 19.123 carcases frozen mutton.

A “Timaru Herald” reporter, in conversation with a miller, was told that during the last few days flour had been literally poured into New Zealand from Australia. At Wellington there bad been landed: By the Alaheno. 1130 sacks; by the .Manuka. 1431 sacks: and by tho Ulimaroa, (507 sacks. In addition to this 090 sacks bad been landed at Lyttelton for Christ church bakers. This,'lie said, was having the effect ol making millers less anxious than they were to buy wheat, and the most they would give now was (is Od for 1 uscan. 6s llil for Hunters, and 7s Id for Velvet. f.u.b.. Timaru. sacks extra.

A party of leading officials ol the Railway Department arrived in Gre\moutli from Christchurch by special I rani at |0 p.lll. \c ter.hu . Till)

party will make a tour of inspection of the Westland and Duller sections, prior to the new conditions to be brought about by the change in tho management of railway matters locally, [’his morning the party proceeded to Ross and returned this alternoon when a visit of inspection, will be paid to Rapaboc and Rewnnui. To-morrow, the party will leave by special train for Tnangiihua Junction and alternants proceed by car to Westport.

pi.*- limiting is si ill a popular sport in the back country of New Zealand, but not for many yems has the pastime been carried out in Stafford St. lamam, states the "Herald.” However, tin* sport was revived, when a pig. which had escaped from an auction mart, made, its appearance in tin* mam thoroughfare closely followed by a large band of pursuers. Pigs at any time ire notoriously bard to capture, and this one proved no exception to the rule. Dodging the passing traftic and resting a while underneath a stationary omnibus the animal defied all attempts made to capture it. At last, attracted seemingly hv some irresistible power, the pig made for a butcher’s shop where expert bands quickly succeeded in stopping further flight, and bolding the animal pending the owner’s arrival.

Schroder and Co. have opened out a splendid range of now knitted costumes and sports coats; silk, velvet and maroeuili frocks. Inspection cordially invited.—Advt.