Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 22, 1926. FLORIDA DISASTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1926, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 22, 1926. FLORIDA DISASTER

Those on the West Coast inclined to grumble when rain is frequent, should really be thankful that they do not reside in drought stricken districts, or in countries like the United States, where hurricanes, cyclones tornadoes, floods, and other climatic calamities are familiar happenings, causing enormous loss of life and property annually. The latest disaster has occurred in Florida, from where, allowing for the customary imagination of American journalists, reports come of enormous havoc and destruction by hurricanes last week-end. Sympathy will be forthcoming from all parts of the world for the victims, but as the United States is wealthy, there will be no need of outside monetary assistance to relieve the distress. Florida has been much in the limelight during the past year, as a great land “boom” has been in progress, enormous fortunes being made by land speculators. The “boom” burst a short time ago, with consequent ruin to many investors, and the customary charges .of fraud. It is stated that the Florida disaster and floods in other States have sobered the American public, and that there is a national inclination to rely less on material gains, and to be less devoted worshippers of the dollar. If this penitence lasts, it would be a great benefit to the people of the United States. Social workers and reformers have long been anxious about the national tendency to rate values according to worldly possessions, domestic and foreign policy being framed in harmony. The United States, it is realised, can never become really great whilst its people are enslaved to Mammon, and that it is so subject, is suggested by the attitude towards its war debtors. Regrettable as are natural disasters such as Florida and other parts of the country have recently experienced, good can be extracted from the evil, if the nation is aroused from its self-deception, and realises that, after all, material wealth can be too clearly purchased.

C A NA DA A N DC 0 NF E R E N CE It will be a great pity if Canada is not represented at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, but it would be absurd to postpone the gathering again, because of Canada’s inability to be represented. The Conference has already been postponed to suit Canadian convenience, and it is rather late in the day for Mr. Mackenzie King to find out that it will be impracticable for him to attend. He must have been well aware throughout, that if his Party won the general elections, he and his colleagues would- assume office, and have to stand for re-election by their constituencies. Opposition to them is unlikely in most cases, and in the Premier’s would be futile. The Conservatives, under the circumstances, would probably let the Premier’s seat go by default, as quite apart from the hopelessness of contesting it, it would be bad’ tactics for the Conservatives to place obstacles in the path of Mr. King going to London. If the Liberal leader wished to go to London, he could soon find a way. He is, apparently, pandering to the French-Canadians in Quebec, who do not place the same value qn the Imperial Conference as do Canadians of British descent. No question of loyalty to the Empire arises, whatever Mr. King’s final decision, but it is in the interests of Canada in particular and the Empire in general, .that Canadian delegates attend. If Mr. King finds it impossible to journey personally, he should at least, send a Ministerial colleague or two, to present Canada’s viewpoint. There is a tendency in some circles to link South

Africa, Irish Free State and Canada, as a trio out to oppose the Homeland and other Dominions at' the Conference. The reports are exaggerated, but as each land has elements unentliusiastic about the Empire’s unity, Canada’s abstention would encourage rumours of dissensions. It can be understood that Mr. King is busy enough with Canadian affairs, without having to negotiate on wider questions, but none Of stich affairs is really urgent, and none would suffer by Mr. King’s visit to London. Unlike New Zealand Canada is within a few days’ journey to Britian, and Mr, King’s stay there could be made brief. Meanwhile, hope need not be surrendered that Canada will have representatives at the Conference, despite her domestic political situation.