THE MAN WHO KNOWS ALL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3604, 26 February 1927, Page 3

THE MAN WHO KNOWS ALL.

MR. H. E. HOLLAND ON CHINA. (To the Editor). Sir, what we Jike about the present leader of His Majesty’s Opposition, Mr. IT. E. Holland, M.P., is his positive assurance. He has no doubts about his own knowledge and prescience. We have just read 'his speech at Westport on the Chinese situation. Truly is a remarkable speech. His knowledge of the whole subject is so vast and profound that it is a wonder he has not been entreated by all the powers to take over and settle all the problems of the East, not to mention in the little troubles of the West.

He opened by a reference If! the opium question as constituting “one of the blackest chapters of British history.” This reminds us of an individual wbo, in conversation, always referred to certain acts of his family as the foulest in their record. Somehow people did not yearn for the company of that individual. They looked upon him as somewhat, of a cad to be always crying down his own family. Even if his statements were true they thought it “very bad form” for him to be constantly raking up the misdeeds of those with whom he was «o closely connected.

Mr. Holland, with his full knowledge, assures us it is “false and foolish” to refer in any way to the Canton Government as Communist or “Red.” On this we may take it that the influence of Moscow; of General Borodin, its envoy; of its numerous agencies which do not exist or, at least, have not the slightest effect. This is a pleasing confidence and may be readily accepted coming, as. it docs, from such a high authority.

He tells us that the concentration of British armed forces in China is a breach of the Covenant of the League of Nations arid also of the treaty (not named). How very remiss the' League must be not to have recognised this. Still the Council of the League may be excused on the ground that they have not yet been able to read a report of Mr. Holland’s speech. The enlightchment will, no doubt, 'Come in time.

We have heard it said that great ideas are of the simplest when understood. The great idea of Mr. Holland for solving the 'Chinese puzzle certainly comes within this category, it is one 'of pure simplicity. His formula is that Britain shall hand back all concessions, relinguish every right of extra territorially, along with all control of the customs act —to put it short “clear put of China.” What could be easier or simpler, for those who do not live or have any interest there, than this prescription? If this is done he is confident that all danger to the lives of British subjects will disappear if it ever existed, which he strangely confesses he doubts . '

What a happy solution is here. By simply sacrificing the present living of many thousands of British people, and Chinese also, rclinguishing the guarantees for payment of over 50 millions sterling which China owes to Britain; shattering much of the trade on which masses of people in Britain rely; destroying all British prestige in the East, and largely elsewhere, we are informed that Britons will he saved from a danger which probably does not exist. Surely in face of .such deep thinking the British Government will accept Mr. Holland’s advk:e and forthwith officially recognise the Canton Government as representing the whole of the people of China. The fact that it is not so representative is not one to be recognised owing to its inconvenience.

The high principles enunciated in this speech of the leader of the Opposition only seem strange because the rest of ns have not risen to his mental, or is it moral, altitude. Does is seem reasonable that now China owes us vast sums we should rolinguish all guarantees and rest Content with the,spirit of brotherly love? It, like Soviet Russia, she should forget to pay, still, it is only the “exploiting British capitalists” who lose, let the Russian, Chinese and all other debtors go until they desire to pay.

Applied to ordinary transactions of every day life there may be some difficulty in applying this principle. Still we look to Mr. Holland and his followers to teach by example. Where they lend they will seek no guarantee of repayment. To anyone who owes them anything they v/ill leave it entirely to their sense of honour whether it is ever returned, and if it is not their love will increase the more.

One thought of sadness here obtnides. What a pity it is that such angelic vision should have to rest on earth where hard necessity rules. Still, it is only applied to others and that .makes it easier for Mr Holland, and other like seers. ,

(Contributed by the N.Z. Welfare

League)