PUBLIC OPINION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 November 1928, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION

THE MARVELS OF TO-DAY

‘‘Who can measure the combined effects on social life and economic organisation, during the years in which we are living, of such subversive transformations as are indicated by the novel applications to industry of electricity and chemistry; the internal combustion engine; the spreading use of various kinds df oil ; the fixation of nitrogen from the atmosphere; the utilisation df new plants mineral and alloys; the substitution of silk made out of wood pulp for both cotton and wool ; the increase in the magnitude of factories, or ship, and of business enterprises. and of the general scale of production and of distruhiting agencies; the new capital required in order to bring up to date our iron and steel works, our engineering factories, our railways and other industries which novel processes have lerf't behind in the competitive market; the internationalisation, not only of finance, lmt also of the direction of capital investments; the almost miraculous revolutions in communication and conveyance represented by the aeroplane, by broadcasting, and by wireless telegraphy; and the vastly heightened sensitiveness oi the whole world caused by the virtual simultanity of news, opinions, and impressions among the entire population?”—Rt. Hon. Sydney Webb, M.P.

TIME LTMIT FOR THE PEACE QUEST.

"Mussolini was quite right when he said in his speech before the Italian Chamber that the destinies of Europe will he decided about ISf.T'i. It will he :it about that time that the beaten countries which are now disarmed, will he free to arm themselves again An effective action in behalf of peace can only lie developed in the next seven or eight years. There is no time o lose. A direct an dsi nee re agreement between France and Germany

rou id postpone the out break <JI any war. and the pooling ol the resources of these two countries would mean the, rehabilitation of Europe and the beginning of a- period of prosperity and peace. This agreement is not easy, but it is being discussed by the most 'unim-nt men in both countries, even if it has not yet been written down in any programme.”—Signor Nitti, iormorlv Prime Minister of Italy.

A GERMAN ON DISARMAMENT “It is obvious that a coin"l«*tely dis—armed country like Germany feels with special intensity the failure df the disarmament debates. By its complete disarmament a nation has completed a deed of an extraordinary character. Notwithstanding that deed other countries overwhelm it with the blackest suspicion and reproaches on a ridiculous pretext, and it is even depicted as the enemy of world peace. At the «ame time, they see other countries developing their armaments without-

V-biir Mulveft to the slightest criticism. The disarmaments of Germany must no longer stand forth as the on-sided result of the power placed in the hands of the victors of the world war. The time has come to the fulfilment of tin* promise embodied in a treaty that "■cneral disarmament shall •follow the disarmament of Germany. Ihe articles of the Statute in which this premise : s made —the fundamental principle cf the League of Nations—must at las* be put into operation.”—Herr -duel lor.

A TRAGIC F'GURE

‘•The story of great musicians is rce'elo with tragudv. But is is dohutInl if Schubert realised the measure of 'bs tragedv, unless in his closing (lavs, ft is doubtful i'f ever lie starved. His "ovortv was a continued plague wh'Mi vet permitted him to live. Only tbe passage of a hundred years lias repealed tin* depth of bis tragedv. Ibe little man only oft. lin. in height, had no tongue that gave expression to his personality. He was hindered by shyness so extreme that lie withdrew to a coiner when an admiring public gave adu'ation to tlio singer and forgot the maker of the song. But in Schubert lay a personality so forceful and magical that it drew about him one of Hie most brilliant circles in musical history.”—Newman Flower.

TO DENOUNCE AVAR

“To denounce war ns n crime > st '' denounce something Avliicli n nntmr. " !k>ii it is entering a war never tilings it is committing. Invariably in modem times a nation goes to war to stop another nation from committing tlm crime df war. The mere denunciation of war as a crime is no deterrent it it appears that the other fel'ow is nboii* to commit the crime. It is just as likely to make the war seem twice as righteous, and hence to make it twee as fierce, because it can he said the’ the enemy is committing a crime and is an outlaw. The rlioh e as it present itself is not between the crime of war and the righteousness of peace, but. be tween ruin and disgrace .on the one hand, and self-preservation, courage and honour on the other.’ -—Mr W a ter Lippman in the “Atlantic Monthly.”

THI3SE BRITISH DOMINIONS.

‘‘flood will inspired by sentiment is one thing and the prudence which c —ms f"oni business considerations another. The British overseas Dmn nion.f seem to get more and more like grow 11-up married children who are already on their own account, and .TollP Bull (perch accustomed though lie is

to exercising tutelage, and extraordinary well qualified to do it, already feels that there is very little left for him to do, now’ that his political offspring have reached years of discretion. His help is no longer wanted, not even his advice. On the contrary, boastful youngsters from Austral.a and other places freely and loudly tell him what he ought to do himself. He is, however, a philosopher and, far I’r m resenting such interference, he is really proud of these big sons of his. Possibly, too, he known that none of the Dominions could safely go and set lip for itself outside the Empire.”—“A Frenchman'’ in the “Round Table ”

THE NEW CHINA

“.Just as the capture of Poking may he the beginning of a new epoch in China’s inner history,” says the “Manchester Guardian.” so. the recognition of the Nationalist Government hv the United States and by Great Britain may be the beginning of a new epo' h in China’s relations with the Great Powers. If the Nationalist Government has any stability, then these two events may l:e the beginning of Chinese national independence and sovereignty. But has the Nationalist Government .such stability? This, indeed, is now the supreme questi mi. If the Knoinintang breaks up, and if tbe military leaders or the Communists ( r DotJi) reassert themselves effectively, then the capture of Peking the agreements with the Powers, and the economic reconstruction that has even now began, will have been for nothing, and China will once again he plunged into that welter of massacre, destruction, and famine which incorrigible optimist,* persist in calling ‘revolution.’ The symptoms are not wholly unfavourable. There is much more self-criticism among the Chinese themselves than there used to he. They are not quite so convinced that the foreigner alone is responsible for China’s misfortunes.”

TO THOSE ABOUT TO MARRY

“IT I wore asked to give some general advice to those about to marry. T should say to a man. ‘Choose a girl with nice women friends, and pay no attention to what other men think a 1 out her; and I should give the corresponding advice to a girl.”—Dean Tngo. in the “Evening Standard.”

PHE INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENT.

“There is only one thing sacred i” all mundane affairs, and that is the individual. with his capabilities, possibilities and his aspirations; and no government that does not found it** right to exist upon this principal or this eons'deration is worth defending.” writes Sena cor AA r . E. Borah, in the “Fortnightly Review.” “It may glare out for a day or a decade or during the life of one individual, but the time has for ever passed when such a government can long endure. AA’e have progressed too far to enable any force to crush the average man hack into the pit fron which he emerged long ago. He will have his say in government ; lie should have his sav in Government.”