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Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1925, Page 2

‘Tr i.s a tragedy, after our receiit awful experience of war. Unit the outlook is so black, and the prospect of war so patent to all," remarked Mr Bowden, M.P.. former Minister for Defence in sounding a note of warning recently in Sydney, repeats the “Daily Telegraph." “It is no use Blinking at the fa"! that the I '.‘agile of Nations call do little unless America joins,'' declared Air Bowden, who was opcakinc at tile annual diilntT of the Granville Brotherhood. The more we Mat'll the development of international affairs Ihe more we are driven to the conclusion that a lasting peace i.s far away. The dread remains that the peace is a peace ef exhaustion, and will only last while the exhaustion lasts. France, by standing to her policy of restriction, and by insisting on the full amount of bit 1 indemnify fixed at the Peace Conference. is keeping open a running sore,” lie added. ‘'Some people were objecting to the expenditure till the visit of the American fleet, hut it would fie money well spent.” lie believed if America and Britain stood together they could assure that the pea he if the world Would not la? menaced.

Thu assn laticn of the Pi ogress T.efeue and Chandler of Commerce under one head wilt at least he ail economy in time as affecting management. There appears to be a difficulty nowadays in staffing these honorary bodies which are capable of doing so mur'i public good under active management. On that account a degree of fusion is taking place which will enable the two bodies to meet jointly and dispoie of their business at the one gathering. This is the more readily feasible because it seems the one set of willing workers have to carry the burden if the work in these unofficial but useful organisations engaged on the community good. A healthy revival in tie civic spirit is one of the needs of the times, and if an epidemic could be started in that direction it would he n good tiling. The district will do with all the local enterprise it is possible to expend on it. This is the time of the year when matters as a rule are subnormal. and business is quiet. But that situation should emphasise the

necessity IVji- the people doing something to help themselves. This they (till do to .some extent by handing together in these unofficial organisations "Inch hate a general mandate, to look to the interests of the district as it "hole and do "hat they can to promote tin l advancement of local affairs. The l.eagne and the Chamber in the past have done much useful work, and asso•.fitted as non- proposed should he no less capable n! carrying on the good work, if encouraged to do .-.o by an enlivening interest on the part of the public behind them.