POST-WAR POLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 21636, 3 February 1934, Page 12

POST-WAR POLAND.

Poland for a long time lay at the feet of her conquerors, Russia, Germany, and Austria. They partitioned the country' among themselves, and the numerous attempts made to raise the flag of independence were repressed with an iron hand. In the course of the struggles many ardent patriots arose. None has been greater than Joseph Pilsudski, the present master of the country. It took the World War to remove the shackles from Poland, and the hour found the man. He was in prison in Germany when the armistice was declared. On his release he returned to find his country without money, without organisation, without trade, with enemies on all sides, a starving population, and, like''.so many of the Continental countries at the time which had lost their sense of discipline, it was threatened with internal . strife. Pilsudski could have made himself dictator had he wished to do so. But he is a selfless patriot of the type of the Italians, Mazzini and Garibaldi. A democrat at heart, he Believed, and believes to-day, that a nation should be ruled by the elected representatives of the people, always supposing that the people have sufficient knowledge to carry out their responsibilities, and that everyone would be working for the good of the State. The constitution was set up, but intrigues by self-seeking politicians caused Pilsudski to . withdraw from public life. Outstanding among the Poles, it was inevitable that he should come back, and after a period of political, economic, and financial chaos he took strong action in 1926 and made himself dictator of the country. He refused the office of President, which is held by his friend, Moscicki, and as Minister of War and Inspector-General of the army he rules the land, his one idea being to make Poland a strong, independent nation. Pilsudski has reached the conclusion that the Constitution of the country needs amending. The Legislature has consisted of the Sejm, elected by universal adult (male and female) suffrage, and of a Senate elected by adult (male and female) suffrage of those over thirty years of age. Marshal Pilsudski is not satisfied with the, result. He considers that the Poles have not yet arrived at that stage when they can satisfactorily carry out the electoral duties entrusted to them. Accordingly, his idea is that the powers of the Sejm should be limited, and to base election to the Senate upon good citizenship. Those who hope to exercise control over the State will be expected to have proved themselves good citizens —patriots. It is proposed to make the definition of patriotism as comprehensive as possible, but it can be understood that opponents of the present order will have slender representation. Marshal Pilsudski aims at training his countrymen to become self-governing by stages as rapidly as possible without allowing inexperience to damage the machinery of State. This may seem contrary to British ideas of democracy, but it has to be remembered that Poland is still an infant in independent nationhood. In foreign affairs the dictator seems to be showing wide vision, as instanced by the signing of a tenyears’ non-aggression pact between Germany and Poland “with a view to consolidating European peace in the spirit of the Kellogg Pact.” This has been described as one of the most important events since the war, which can well be believed when the dangers arising from the arrangements of Germany’s eastern frontiers are considered. Apparently, also, it disposes of the suggestions that have been made that the relations between Poland and France are inimical to Germany’s interests."

New Zealand Sound Films Productions have been commissioned by several overseas companies to supply “ shorts ” on the celebrations of the centenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and also of Archbishop Redwood’s diamond jubilee. Accordingly the technical staff will be fully occupied in the North Island during next week.

The postal authorities advise that the Monowai left Sydney on Friday for Welington with sixteen bags of Australian mail for Dunedin and twelve parcel receptacles. The mail is due at the local office on Tuesday afternoon. An impression amongst some of the relief workers in camps that they are debarred from applying for work under better schemes in the city is corrected by the mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox), who points out that any man in camp is free to apply for work in the town. His application is treated on its merits along with those sent in by town workers.

The Waitangi celebrations and the price of potatoes would appear to have nothing in common, but Wellington produce dealers have connected them up. Potatoes this week became short, both from Manawatu and Pukekohe, with the consequence that prices rose rapidly. It was thought that the wet weather had interfered with digging, but when conditions improved there was no sign of adequate supplies from those quarters, and the explanation is that a large number of Maoris are usually employed digging and bagging, but they have ail gone north to Waitangi. The first shipment of South Island potatoes landed to-day on a bare market, realising the unusually high price of 10s 6d to 11s a hundredweight!—Wellington correspondent.

On Monday the children’s health camp at Waikouaiti is to be broken up, and parents are requested to meet their children at First Church grounds at 5.15 that evening. The Education Board has received a number of enquiries as to the school entrance age. Briefly, the position is that any child attaining the age of six during the current term including the term holidays is eligible to be placed on the school roll. The second term will begin on Monday May 21, not Tuesday, 22, as previously announced by the board. Any child therefore reaching the age of six by Sunday, May 20, may be enrolled if presented at a school within the first four weeks of tho current term.

As the result of an outbreak of fire in a forest plantation at Silvcrstream (Wellington) on November 20, Jack Jones, a student, was charged . with lighting a fire in the Guildford estate forest without a permit. He pleaded guilty and was fined £2. The defendant set fire to some rubbish at the back of his father’s property, which forms part of a declared fire district, and the flames spread into the plantation.

A shortage of Australian citrus fruits is being experienced in Welling; ton and probably in other parts of tho dominion. A few months ago the Government lifted the embargo and placed a quantitative restriction on imports. The question of importation is at present being discussed between representatives of the Australian and New Zealand Governments, and in view of that interested parties are not inclined to discuss the position. From official quarters, however, it is gathered that there has been no change in the general position and that the quantitative restriction still applies. So far as can be ascertained the embargo has not been renewed.

The total value of the wool sold at the second Wellington sale on Jahary 10 and 11 was £637,222, an increase of £221,626 on the proceeds of the first sale in December and £448,479 on the returns of the corresponding sale last year. The distribution from the two sales so far held in Wellington amounts to £1,052,818, against £333,145 for the corresponding sales of tho previous season.

Provided a suitable landing ground can be found near Waitangi, Sir Charles Xingsford Smith will fly the Southern Cross there to attend the celebrations. If this visit is earned out, Sir Charles will leave Wellington, accompanied by Lady Smith, in the Monowai on Friday next for Sydney to test the Codock monoplane. Should the Waitangi call not be practicable, however, Sir Charles will fly to Auckland in the Waco biplane on Monday, and will sail for Sydney by the Maunganui on Tuesday. Immediately the tests ,of the Codock are completed Sir Charles wifi return to continue his tour. '

With the return of seasonable weather the various fishing streams throughout Otago are at present in splendid condition, and some exceptionally fine catches are reported. During the past week Lake Wanaka has claimed attention from many Dunedin fishermen, and last a visitor secured a bag of nine fish averaging silb.

The personnel is about to be announced of the committee to take evidence regarding currency systems and to report whether modifications are desirable in the dominion. It will, comprise ten members ' of Parliament, who will be representative of, all parties, and who will be assisted by an expert secretariat. The investigation results from requests in petitions to the House that the whole problem should be overhauled, but the Government in the recent session somewhat anticipated the position in its Reserve Bank legislation. which will have the effect of placing the general banking policy affecting the welfare of the dominion under the direction of a central organisation which, except _ for a limited return, on its half-million of private capital, will not be _ concerned over the maintenance of dividends.— Parliamentary reporter.

■ According to Mr David M'Farlane, of Wanganui, who has been instrumental in placing hundreds of unemployed boys in positions during the past few years, the situation has entirely changed. During the whole of November and December and the latter part of October dozens of applications came to him for boys, and it was impossible to supply the demand. Even during the school holidays none applied for jobs, “ and I could have placed fifty,” said Mr M'Farlane to a newspaper reporter. A correspondent writes to the contributor to the Wellington ‘ Post’s ’ special column: Could you not use your influence with the Government to have a stop put to these Antarctic explorations? I have been a resident of Wellington for some forty years, and have suffered with the population these awful blizzards at inappropriate times whenever there has been “exploration ” going on at the South Pole. It is obviously more than mere coincidence —it happens every time, and it is certain that this interference and impertinent curiosity about their domestic affairs is resented by tie authorities in charge of those regions, and they retaliate on all within : reach—whether guilty or not. Either there is definite interference going on or the expeditions do not observe the proper ritual to those local deities; or a chicken or pig should be killed, with the appropriate incantations and hanky-panky, and tlii; has evidently been omitted by Mr Byrd. Please see ,to it.”

The postal authorities advise that the Wainui left Melbourne on Wednesday for Bluff with nine bags of Australian mail and three parcel receptacles for Dunedin. The mail is due at the local Post Office on Monday evening.

At the meeting of the City Council on Wednesday night a councillor drew attention to the quanity of cocksfoot growing on city reserves, and asked whether it might not be made available to a section of the community more in need of money _ than the schoolboys who were receiving he proceeds of its sale. The matter came up before the Reserves Committee yesterday, and it has now been decided to grant permission to those of the unemployed who care to reap and thresh the cocksfoot.

By count, not estimate, the passengers on the 11.35 train for Christchurch this morning numbered 564 as _ it steamed out of the Dunedin station. It was made up of eighteen carriages, a van, and a roadside wagon, and is reckoned to be one of the heaviest ordinary trains that ever left for the north. Notwithstanding the rush, Mr Pope and his helpers managed to get it away within ten minutes of the schedule time, though it arrived three minutes late.

When wool prices go up sheep farmers are quick to restock their supplies of woollen garments and articles before the retail prices increase proportionately. A Stratford retailer, commenting on the advanced quotations for many woollen goods of New Zealand manufacture,, stated that sheep farmers invariably bought up big supplies of woollen requirements when the mai'ket hardened (reports the Stratford ‘ Evening Post’). They were the first to take advantage of tho fact that soon prices would increase accordingly. As proof of his statement the retailer quoted figures showing that in the past few weeks he had sold approximately five times as many blankets and other woollen garments than for the corresponding period last year. Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., in the Police Court this morning a first offender for drunkenness was fined 12s 6d, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. Save your eyes. Be wise and consult W. V. Sturmer (optician, 2 Octagon), thus conserving good vision for old age.—[Advt.] Notification of Sunday services as enumerated below appears in our Sunday services advertising columns:—Anglican: St. Paul's Cathedral, All Saints’. Presbyterian: First Church, Knox Church, St. Andrew’s, Chalmers, Musselburgh, St. Stephen’s. Methodist: Trinity, Central Mission, Mormngton, Roslyn, St. Kilda, Caversham, Dundas Street, North-east Valley, Abbotsford, Mosgiel. Baptist: Hanover Street, Carersham, Mornington, South Dunedin,. Roslyn, Sunshine. Congregational: Moray Place Church, United. Church of Christ: St. Andrew Street, North-east Valley, South Dunedin, York Place Hall, Playfair Street Hall, Salvation Army, Christian Science, Theosophical Society, Spiritualist, Orange Hall. Second-hand School Books for all schools, Boys’ High, Girls’ High, Columba, St. Hilda’s, Technical College, and ’Varsity (new if required). Parents, what a real contribution to economy! Stationery for all schools —primary, high, and colleges. Our special, a Is hard-covered black exercise book, 100 pages, best paper, for 6d. We are the recognised second-hand bookshop of New Zealand, and supply the high schools from Auckland to Invercargill. Note the new address; Newbolds, 289 George Street, Dunedin (late Mollison’s Building), corner George and Frederick streets. — [Advt.] The Railway Department advertises in this issue particulars of a special cheap day excursion Dunedin to Invercargill on Sunday, February 11. The intention is to make the excursion as attractive as possible by putting on fast special trains and exceptionally cheap fares, also reserving seats for both'journeys for Is. Attention is directed to an advertisement in this issue of Dunedin Central branch of the Women’s Christian' Temperance Union, whose first meeting for 1934 takes place on Tuesday next, when several members who have been actively engaged in W.C.T.U. work for thirty years will receive longservice badges. The mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox) will give a short address.

A popular method of teaching the young the art of pianoforte playing is by the means of group-class teaching. Mr W. Paget Gale will resume his classes next week, as advertised. As it is . probablethese classes will be attended by a large number of young people, who will be taught from the first steps, parents are advised to enrol their children, with Mr Gale at the earliest date at his studio, the Capitol Buildings, or with The Bristol Warehouse, Dowling street. The Blacks (Ophir) School will hold a reunion at Easter, and all ox-pupils and teachers will be making an effort to attend the function to meet the schoolmates and masters of their time. All connected with the school who have not yet received the circular in connection with the function are directed in an advertisement in this issue to communicate with the secretary. Mr J. V. Hanna advertises in another column announcing that the various physical, gymnastic, and dancing classes are now resuming, also the formation of business girls’ half-hour lunch session classes in tap, ballroom dancing, and physical culture, with special concession fees. Palais Dansant, Moonshine Winter Garden, George street,’ will hold another of its popular Saturday night dances to-night. Fraser's Majestic Dance Band and Tom Dillon (jazz singer) will be heard in all the latest and 1 most popular dance numbers. The Waikiwi Rowing Club, Invercargill, will be guests this evening, while a free bus will oe available to Cargill’s and Forbury Corners for southern patrons.