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Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1925, Page 2

I'm: terms for the refunding of the debts of Belgium to the I'nited States are doubtless based upon the special position of Belgium during the war. If was under oveupation, ami its people were treated with the greatest severity hv the Gormans who inflicted vast damage. Hence, in all war. reparation. and debt negotiations the special circumstances have received recognition. Therefore, it is satisfactory to find the Baited States also agreeing to extend it considerable treatment. So far as the war debt of £3-1 .-100.000 goes, payment is to be allowed in instalments without, interest, during a period of sixtv-two years. As regards the balance of the debt of £ 12.200.000. the money is to be repaid during the same term, but alter a period of ten years lias elapsed interest at the rale of 3.1 per cent, is to be provided. The British arrangement with the 1 nited Stall's has been defined by ATr -I. At. Keynes, who recently said that the Baited Kingdom bad agreed to pay the Baited States .'()(),IM'K) dollars each week day for sixty years. Hint sum was more than the whole of the piolits of the Brit--li merchants' slops, ami of all the coal mines added together. It. was equivalent to IwothinK ot the lost:, of the Navy, and was nearly equal to the total of all the 'state <’X]M'tidiiore on education. With the British and Belgium debts arranged hv the Bnited States there remain those of France In it of £070.D(:().(:(it), and of Italy ol 8J00.000.0110 to l.e' dealt with. Those two conn tries owe equally largo -urns io Croat. Bnt;un. li would give* a sonso ol ini - to the nation if it could be announced that the British Cabinet bad been able to ciiiiio to so no* s;»i isfac tory mjimh'incut with them, even at the sacrifice n| a substantial iortion ol the principal-

'I'llt; speech ot tlie Federal Brime Minister report*! From [lanoemmg n this week’s i allies, while directly aif ,Ire-oil to 'ii- own const intents, am the pe. pic ol the I ouiinotiweallli should as a matter ol lad prove ol interest to all law-abiding citizen: wherever domiciled. Mr Bruce epok. of the hour being a critical one ii the national history ol Australia. Ilia' it is cetainly, for it is possible tin tore- ol law and order may conic ti grip- at. any moment with those win defy authority and deny agreement: when it suits them. Mr Bruce has ; verv respoii-iblc la-k ahead of him. Ini lie is charged full v with its import and is courageously speaking out. lli: voire .should not lie beard alone. Hi should be hacked openly hv all publii organisations anil public men who be lievc in maintaining uatiomd se nr ity. Buie— the l-'ederal l’remier i Packed up. there i- danger of a rivi outbreak, which would -entail seriou disaster. Before matters are allowci lo go to that extonic limit, open sup port from inlluential quarters woub tend to allay the serious nature el tin position. What is the experience o Australia at this juncture might In easily the experience of New Zealand if the i oust itm ioiial authority i- no fullv supported and maintained. The i- alwavs a considerable amount o flu mmirimr 1 1 v ihr disturbers of lav

clamouring by the disturbers ot law and order, and perhaps the cable news has conveyed more ot their side ot the question than that ot the other. It were well then that the more silent side should ho more pronounced, and make itself heard in no uncertain seat ml. Mr Bruce has spoken boldly in a clearly expressed review of the position and the possible consequences. Hut there is a time when words must cease, .and actions follow. The wartime which Mr Bruce has given might well he taken to heart, by those who would flagrantly disturb the public peace, and if that were to result. Mr Bruce will not have spoken in vain. Hut he will have spoken in vain if there is not influential support displayed by the people for whose welfare Mr Bruce- is prepared to net. The moral effect of outward and visible support from the public is very great. and if it were forthcoming at this juncture would tend to relieve the tension and afford a prospect of an early peace. Let us hope Mr Bruce has not spoken in vain, and that, behind hint public opinion will assert itself in no uncertain strain.