The Otago Witness. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MEMOURY. TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1931.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 45

The Otago Witness. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MEMOURY. TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1931.) THE WEEK.

"Nunquam allud natura, allud sapientia dixit.” -J UVEN AL.

“Good nature and good sense must ever join.”—• POl’B.

The Empire.

Empire Day, which celebrates the anni-

versary of the birth of the great Queen in whose

reigu the British Empire was built up to its present dimensions, offers an opportunity to reflect again upon the importance to the world, no less than to the British peoples, of the Commonwealth of Nations. General Smuts has reminded us: “ You are not an empire; you are half the world,” and it is interesting to observe in passing that what he said, if not literally true, is approaching literal truth. The British Empire is the greatest political fact in the world to-day, as it has been in the past, and in point of material magnitude it is also greatest. Its area is about 14,000,000 miles, or a quarter of the world’s surface, and its population of 450,000,000 represents a quarter of mankind. When Byron cried:

Far as the breeze can bear, the billows foam Survey our empire, and behold our home I

he was fitly expressing an absolute fact. But it is not sufficient in this intensely practical and somewhat self-centred age that we should view complacently this great Empire heritage. The period is one of economic depression, from which the countries with the best brains, the most industry, and the greatest realisation of the strength that lies in unity, will emerge the economic victors. The Empire cannot be held together by sentiment alone, but by mutual regard of every member State for the practical problems and needs of the others, and it behoves every British subject to see that he does his part in increasing understanding of this economic truth.

Hauraki.

The residents in the Hauraki electorate

have been enjoying, in the past few days, such a flattering visitation of well-

known New Zealand public men as finds its way to such small towns as Otahuhu very infrequently. Instead of having to approach the political leaders, hat in hand, with this request and that, the people of Hauraki find the position reversed, and the Government and Opposition leaders waiting upon them with humble requests for consideration. Thus does a by-election reverse, for a few short days, the relations of Government and constituency. At the time of writing, none of the speakers has said any thing that would set the gulf on fire and those who may have expected to find the cards laid on the table so far as policies are concerned will find little enlightenment in the speeches as reported by telegraph. Mr Forbes has gone over again the facts, which still bear repeti tion, of the economic crisis in New Zea land, and has commended the Government programme as it has already been outlined; and Mr Coates has done noth ing more than reiterate the pledges of his party and explain the causes militating against fusion. Mr Holland’s sen timents are, of course, so well known that there was no need, really, for him to go tediously over the old treacherous ground again. With the general election approaching, there will be interest in the Hauraki decision, but the by-election scarcely appears to merit the importance that the Government and Opposition parties seem to attach to it.

The 0 tag« Power Board.

The report of the Otago Power Board

for the year naturally reflected to some extent the financial situation

which has prejudiced most private or public undertakings, and added to this there was the consideration that the board has lately had to make a somewhat extensive revision of its arrangements, acting upon the advice of independent engineering and financial experts. The chairman did not attempt to hide the fact that there has been* among consumers, a good deal of dissatisfaction with the conducting of the business of the board. Whether this unrest has had any foundation is a disputed point. It may be that there has in the past been room for criticism, but it would be absurd to take heed of any in-

situation upon the integrity and goodwill of the board, and it is right that the position should be made clear once and for all. Criticism of a public body is not a bad thing, but the Otago Power Board has been subjected to certain bitter and destructive criticisms that have made its task no easier. It is necessary to the success of a project such as this that unfair and perhaps uninformed aspersions upon the controlling body should not be made, and it is to be hoped that in the future the board will be spared annoying attacks that are calculated only to shake the confidence of consumers and retard the progress of the board’s operations.

The Wheat Problem.

The conference in London which was

called with the object of bringing about by agreement more satisfactory conditions in the wheat

market during the coming year is of great importance to most countries. Indeed, there are few that are unaffected, or will continue to be, if the difficulties in the wheat markets continue. The United States estimate of a wheat surplus for the present year of 730,000,000 bushels for export and carry-over, is indicative of the position that may be expected, especially as Soviet Russia has now forced itself into our already surfeited markets, and may be expected to proceed with dumping in the future. Whether the international conference can, as a result of its deliberations, achieve as much as it hopes may be doubted. The world depression has made the nations very suspicious of trade agreements of any kind that might, through some sleight of hand, be turned to the advantage of one or another party to the agreement. But an exhaustive study of the existing markets and methods of distribution should undoubtedly reveal some matiner in which the industry may be given relief, and it is possible that a permanent international organisation might be formed that would have effective control on the sale of wheat surplus to the needs of the countries of origin.

In Australia Now.

The political situation in Australia is

scarcely keeping pace with the financial in its rapid developments, but nevertheless there is more

than a suspicion that the Labour Government. is being forced into an interesting position. The chances of a dissolution arc but vaguely defined, but the forces that are massing in opposition to the Government’s schemes seem to be getting prepared for that or any other eventuality that would permit of a reorganisation of the House of Representatives. It was curious to find the Prime Minister making an offer to meet the opposing factions with a view to frank discussion of the financial problems of the Commonwealth. The proposal was probably made in all sincerity, but it is difficult to believe that Mr Seullin actually imagined that to give the Opposition an opportunity of frankly stating its opinion of the Government’s schemes for political control of banking and so on could get anybody anywhere. The abandonment of Mr Theodore and his inflation drug was rightly insisted on as a necessary preliminary to such discussion. Meanwhile the Senate has given the Government an unpleasant reminder that:

The flighty purpose never Is o’ertaken. Unless the deed go with it.

The possibility that supplies may be cut off if the Government continues its present procedure should give Mr Scullin further cause for reflection upon the difficulties that confront a would-be unconstitutional dictator.

European Developments.

The determination of the European

nations, particularly France, Czechoslovakia, and Jugoslavia, to resist the proposed Customs

union between Austria and Germany may not be entirely reasonable, but it is certainly resolute. With the decision to submit the question to the Court of In ternational Justice at The Hague, the nations have intinjated their resolve to prevent the union if that can possibly be done. Actually, there appear to be definite arguments in favour of this attempt of Austria and Germany to place reciprocal trade on a more satisfactory basis by eliminating most tariffs between them, and an invita tion has been extended to any other country that might desire to co-operate. What France fears is, however, that a union for the purposes of trade is but the forerunner to Austro-German political union, and it would appear that the British Government, too, does not view the development warmly. Political union between Austria and Germany is regarded by many well-informed persons as inevitable, but even if that is the case the Allied Powers have authority, by the peace treaties, to prevent or at least postpone this step, and they very obviously intend to exercise that authority. A rumour quite as interesting as the Austro-German negotiations is that stating that the German Fascists, or Hitlerites, desire to restore the Hohenzollerns. The Hitlerites are a force, though a somewhat incalculable one, in Germany at the present time, and their declaration for the restoration of the monarchy is piquant, coming at a time when a king has been deposed in Spain in favour of a republic. It suggests that the throne, even in republican countries, still has a fascination, a glamour, and, perhaps, advantages, over a presidency or a dictatorship. It is possible, however, that it is a dictatorship on Italian lines, with a king merely as a figurehead, that Mr Hitler has in mind as the best method - of consolidating the position of his party.

Tbat all married women teachers, widows excepted, now in the service of the board, be given three months’ notice as from June 1 of the termination of their engagement, and that should any teacher consider her circumstances to be of such a nature as entitles her to special consideration, full particulars are to be forwarded to the board.” This resolution was unanimously adopted at the monthly meeting of the Southland Education Board after a brief discussion. This move, it was explained, corresponded with the policy of other education boards throughout the Dominion. The secretary of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association (Mr O. L. Ferens) has reported that the total amount received to date from the Poppy Day appeal was £1632. Four more returns had still to be received from country districts. The detectives in Dunedin have recovered the whole of the fur goods recently stolen from the premises of R. S. Black and the Hudson Fur Company in George street, and the numerous articles— coats and stoles as displayed in the detective office) last week gave to the room, which usually boasts only’ a few photographs, the appearance of a well-stocked furrier’s shop. In addition to the furs, there are about 30 ladies’ frocks in velvet, silk, marocain, and other materials. The manner in which the goods were recovered will’ probably make an interesting story when it is revealed at the proper time in the courts. The total value of the goods recovered is estimated at about £lOOO.

The Minister of Railways (Mr W. A. Veitch) commenting on a statement b/ Mr J. W. Munro, M.P., regarding ths conditions under which the services of men had been dispensed with from the Hillside Workshops, alleging that some of .those affected had been shifted to Dunedin from Addington with an assurance of continued employment, replied that Mr Munro’s statement did not correctly set out the position. It could be said at once, stated Mr Veitch, that no man who had been recently paid off in the batch referred to had received any such assurance as had been stated. Indeed, only two men had previously worked for. the department at Addington. Each of them had worked about two months in the capacity of emergency casual work at Addington and had been paid off when their services were no longer required there. As there was work in the same calling at Hillside the men made their own way to that shop and applied for and were given casual work. They were, however, given no assurance of any kind regarding continuity of employment. On the contrary they were employed at Hillside, as at Addington, as emergency casual workers, and as in the previous case they had been paid off at the termination of the work which required their employment. The balance of the men had been locally employed at Hillside as casual workers, and as such must have fully, understood the terms of their employment as regards continuity. “ I very much regret the necessity for dispensing with the services of these men,” concluded Mr Veitch, “ but there is no alternative when work has been completed and the available money has been expended. In any case it is necessary that the Railways Department should only employ such men as are necessary to carry on its business.” Some time ago references were made in these columns to the Glengarry clan, and inquiries were made for information concerning it. Mr H. D. Macdonell, of Oamaru, has shown us the Glengarry seal, and a faded photograph of Alexander Ronaldson Macdonell, who died in Dunedin in 1862. There are two newspaper extracts pasted on the back of the photograph. The one is a notice of the death:—“At Dunedin, New Zealand, on June 2, Alexander Ronaldson Macdonell, Esq., of Glengarry and Clanranald.’’ The other paragraph reads as follows:— “Knoydart:—The heir of the late Glengarry, in company with his younger brother, Charles Macdonell, Esq., having lately paid a visit to the estate of his ancestors, the people turned out to ■welcome him with pipes playing and banners flying, and piled a magnificent bonfire near Inverie House. Genuine mountain dew ’ was bountifully supplied by Mr D. M. L. Campbell, Kilchoan, and bumpers were drunk with Highland honours, amidst deafening shouts, to the health, long life, and prosperity of the lineal descendants of the once warlike and powerful chiefs of Glengarry.” Sunday was Empire Day, the day upon which 112 years ago Queen Victoria was born, and which, in token of the affectionate loyalty and esteem in which, during the course of her long reign, she was held by her subjects of all races and creeds, no less than in recognition of the great advances which the Empire made under her rule, has been set apart as a day upon which the subjects of our far-flung Empire may unite in recognition of a bond of common brotherhood and blood. Several wreaths were laid during the day at the base of the Queen Victoria Monument, while appropriate references to the occasion were made in a number of churches in the city. Mi H. M. Kirk, honorary secretary for Dunedin for the Royal Empire Society, has received the following Empire Day message from the society’s secretary in London:—“The chairman and Council of the Royal Empire Society, London, send Empire Day greetings to their fellowmembers in all parts of the world, and reaffirm, in this time of economic stress, their faith in the power of British unity and co-operation to surmount every difficulty.”