NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 88, 10 January 1923, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

The scheme of Empire settlement to relieve unemployment which has been formulated in the West of England holds interesting possibilities. The detail- as yet supplied are somewhat meagre, but apparently the central idea is to transfer groups of immigrants to the Dominions, together with the capital needed to provide them with employment in development work or the establishment of new industries. It is stated that all classes arc to be encouraged, “and not only the farm labourers and domestics now in request.” No doubt a good deal might be done on these lines to promote the local manufacture of an increased proportion of some of the raw materials produced in tho Dominions. Unfortunately its ruling system of company taxation will tend to exclude New Zealand for the time being from the benefits of an immigration scheme of this nature.

It is reported that a representative of the Angora Government is to negotiate directly with Mr. Bonar Law ovqr the Mosul question. Account has to be taken in this matter, however, of tho Arab kingdom of Irak, of which the Mosul vilayet forms part. As a matter of fact, the formation of the present Irak Cabinet arose out of the necessity of taking strong measures to suppress Turkish intrigue in Mosul. The present Prime Minister, Abdul Muhsin Bey es Baadun, took office in November last. He was Minister of the Interior m the previous Government. In that capacity he was asked to take measures against people paid by the Turks to circulate pro-1 urkish propaganda. Ho expressed his willingness to do so, but declared that the reconstruction of the Government was necessary in order that he might take effective and vigorous action. The Government was reconstituted accordingly, with the defeat of Turkish propaganda as a leading item in its policy. No doubt it will show full determination to maintain its territory against the present Turkish claims.

Some of to-day’s messages suggest that an advance of French troops into the Ruhr is imminent, but as news stands at time of writing there is still a bare possibility that some alternative policy may be adopted. The obstacles that will impede and tend Jo defeat the action contemplated by France are already pretty plainly outlined. The most fervent advocates of debt collection at tho point of the bayonet are bound to recognise that industrial troubles and various forms of passive resistance in Germany would in themselves go far to checkmate an extended military occupation and elaborated measures of economic control. Already at odds with Britain over reparations, Franco cannot afford to regard- with complete indifference an official announcement by the American Government that it regards with “distinct disfavour” tho French plan of occupying the German industrial region. At the stage to which events have been carried, Franco would suffer somewhat seriously in dignity if she amended her debt-collecting policy. A revision of tho measures she is now taking appears, however, co offer the only means of averting serious troubles.

One of to-day’s cablegrams declares that Allied solidarity at Lausanne “is nowise affected by tho Paris failure.” At the same time it indicates that in Allied circles prospects of peace with Turkey are not considered bright. Bad as it is, the position is in some respects better than that which arose after the Smyrna massacre. At that time it seemed not unlikely that Britain might be left to deal unaided with Turkey and with any supplementary difficulties arising out of a conflict with that country. Whatever the outcome of tho Lausanne Conference may be, the isolation of Britain, or rather of the Empire, is presumably no longer threatened. In view of tho explicit declarations they have made individually regarding such matters as the capitulations, the protection of minorities, and tho freedom of the Straits, the Allies should have little difficulty in agreeing upon the terms of a treaty to be submitted to Turkey for acceptance or rejection. Whether the Allies are prepared to take common action against Turkey should she reject this treaty has yet to appear. It seems possible, however, that Turkey, if she continues to turn a deaf ear to counsels of reason, may find herself very fully occupied in a conflict with the Balkan States.

A number of hillsides in different parts of the city formerly given over to gorse and other weeds arc now occupied by plantations of trees which are making very promising growth. The excellent results thus attained should be encouragement to the city authorities to extend tho work of planting as funds become available.. A wellconsidered scheme of planting would within a comparatively biicf term of years transform tho aspect of the city and add greatly to tho beauty of its reserves. Unfortunately the outlay entailed is much greater than it would have been had planting been undertaken systematically and on a big scale years ago. Something might be accomplished by inviting citizens to undertake tree-planting on reserves —perhaps in some instances on roads in their own neighbourhood. To be of any use, however, planting effected in this way would have to be done under direction and in approved conditions. Abortive experiments have shown that haphazard planting amounts as a rule merely to wasting time and young trees. On many of tho local hillsides trees will only grow well if they are planted in deep and welldug pits. It is possible, however, that in some cases a more economical method of establishing conditions favourable to good growth might bo to shatter tho subsoil with explosives.