THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1903.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10520, 24 January 1903, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 1903.

Unless the Sultan of Morocco makes haste and effectually disposes of the Pretender who has been giving so much trouble of late, some excuse for intervention - may arise that might prove to be the means of Retting North Africa on fire. Whatever else such a development might lead to is not readily predicable. It is highly important in the first place that the Sultan of Morocco should satisfy his civilised neighbours that he is well able to put down internal disturbances and keep the peace in his country. If he should fail in this duty, an invasion of his sultanate might follow on the pretext of maintaining pence. For the last thirty years at least Morocco has occupied a most anomalous position. It bas not been wholly at peace with the world nor yet entirely at war, though the territory has probably not b^-en any more free of robbery and blood-spilling than the mountainous north-west corner of India, which has long been a sort of training ground for British soldiers. Morocco occupies an analugous position to that of Turkey, though on a much smaller scale. The question of the future of Morocco is surrounded with dangers that can scarcely be fully realised, As long as the country remains in its present position it seems to be an impossibility for it to progress, and, though if) is a country of great possibilities it must perforce continue in a state of stagnation as hopeless as what obtained a hundred years ago. (Several of the Powers keep an interested and partially selfish eye on the Moroccan coast, none of them, except possibly France, caring much for the hinterland. Spain considers she has a prior right to benefit out of any changes that may be brought about. British interests of course predominate in commercial matters, and would not be likely to allow of fortign intervention unleas she had a share in the business. While all the Powers might welcome a good excuse for intervening in the jumble of affairs that is called Moroccan administration, none of them is qnite prepared to take the responsibility of precipitating a crisis. Morocco is practically surrounded with French territory, and France would be quite delighted to round oft' her North African possessions by obtaining control over Morocco. France has the ambition of making the Mediterranean some day a French lake, an Jif she could obtain possession of Ceuta she would have a " Gib" of her own and be independent of Gibraltar. It has b,een urged that in consequence of the two opposite points in the strait of Gibraltar that Britain should give back the 'Rock ' to Spain and in return be allowed a free hand in Morocco. Whether the other Powers would be agreeable to an arrangement of that' kind is extremely doubtful, each being always most reluctant to witness the aggrandisement of any other. At the tinie'of the Spanish- American war France would not have been averse to helping Spain provided that she was compensated by either a free hand in Moroco or a territorial reward ; but Britaiu put a stop to all such calculations by at onco frankly avowing her sympathy with the Americans in the dispute over Cuba. That spoile I the contemplated coalition and Morocco was left as she has been for generations past, unable to advance itself and remaining a souroe of anxiety to all the owners of territory contiguous. There is not a great probability of the present would.be usurper overthrowing '

the Sultan, but the unrest he is causing, and that- may be left as a legacy after he is disposed of or disappeared, will make the country unsafe for the foreigners scattered through ib and open the way to complications with foreign Powers. Even if the present Pretender is put down a:sd experiences the usual fate of such ambiiious characters, that would be no guarantee that another fraud of a like kind would not make his appearance in some other part of th-3 sultanate immediately afterwards. The development of Moroccan affairs so far has not been such as to afford a pretext for any 4 of the Powers intervening. The probability therefore is that the Sultan will prevail and his authority be again recognised throughout the j country. But how long such a satisfactory state of affairs will be maintained is one of those things that cannot be calculated upon with the slightest certainty. Humau material of so irreconcilable a character*^ ever permeated with all the elements of an oxplosivo character.

I Keen interest; is being token in the cricket match, Lord Hawke's team and the West Coast. A record attendance can be look forward to with safety. It is estimated that quite 800 people will attend frcm Hokitika and districts, while the Ross contingent an estimate of at least 300- The occasion will be unique in the history of cricket on this coast. It was reported in Greymouth last | evening that the Feddersen's. dredge has bottomed and was ©btaining excellent gold the simple being coarse and heavy. The North Beach directors have declared a second dividend of Is per share. Our supplement, issued this morning, contains a very full report or" the prohibition debate, held at the Opera House between MrT ftl Smith and the Rev Mr Trestrail, To our country readers it will prove interesting reading, as both sides of the question had most able exponents. By special request Mr TM Smith, who debated the prohibition question with the Rev Mr Trestrail on Monday evening will deliver a lecture at Blackball entitled the "Fallacies of Prohibition," treating the question in its moral, philosophical and commercial aspects. Mr Smith proceeds to Blackball this morning, and aft«r meeting his committee the time of the lecture will be arranged. Those who had the pleasure of hearing Mr Smbh ab the Opera House will agree, whatever may be their opinions with regard to the liquor question, that his cultured and gentlemanly qualifications and marked vein of humour stamp him as one of the most intsrestitig and entertaining lecturers in the colony. H C Hariey and Co will sell by auction this afternoon at the Albion Hotel the rights to booths in connection with the Lord Hawke cricket match. To-day' at their rooms Messrs Easson and Co sell by auction without reserve fruit, groceries, crockery and some new bedsteads, fenders, etc. The work of extinguishing the burning coal seam at Waitahu, Innngaliua, is proceeding. During the last few weeks a largo body of water has bean poured into the mine, and it is hoped that in a short time the fire will now be overcome. — Times. Mr J M Geddis, ©f the Hansard staff, who recantly uuderwent a severe operation in Wellington, is now convalescent. Commissioner M'Kie, the Salvation Army leader of Australia and New Zealand, is to arrive »v Wednesday next from Christchurch, and will be met by His Worship the Mayor and Ministers of the town on his arrival at the station. Special meetings will be conducted in the Opera House on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The Commissioner is a most powerful speaker, he will be assisted by his staff, who accompany him The Blackwater dredge started yeste r " day at 2 p m, the machinery going lik clockwork. A large number of local residents and a number of visitors were present. When the buckets started to revolve she was christened the <! Waimaunga," the Misses Doig performing the ceremony in a most successful manner. Among the principal toasts which were honored in a most enthusiastic manner were those of " Success to the Coy," responded to by Mr Doig, one of the directors, and " Tfce contractors and engineers," proposed by Mr Doig and responded to by Mr Albert Nees, for Messrs H F Nees and (Jo, and Mr VVm Faithful on behalf of Messrs Cutcen Bros. In proposing the toast, Mr Doig referred in most complimentary terms to the excellent way in which the contractors had completed their work and the satisfaction they had given the Coy. In our advertising columns appears the announcement of the grand concert and eutertainmeut to be held in the Opera House on Friday evening under the patronage and' in the presance of Lord Hawke's team of English cricketers and the Westland Cricket Association. The performers include the be3t talent of Westland, and the entertainment will undaubtedly be one of the best ever given on the Coost. We will refer fully to the matter in a future issue, Messrs G W Moss and Co will sell at their auction rooms this afternoon at 2 o'clock valuable leasehold- section with frontage to Cowper and High streets. The funerol of the late Patrick O'Regan will leave the Trafalgar Hotel this afternoon at 2 30. Mr J Smith is, we are pleased to learn, a little better, but it will be some time before he will be able to leave the hospital. "Necessity knows uo law." Tymons and Co made laws unto themselves, but public opinion was dead against them and in one comprehensive act, the laws are now repealed. Today (Saturday) their warehouse will be open continuously from 10 a m until 9 p in, and for the remainder of the fair, on ordinory week days from 10 a m until 6 pm. So great is the crush of customers that it is found impossible to close for the lunch hour as originally intended and advertised. Consideration of their customers' convenience and requirements is tho firm's, first object, and as this necessitates keeping the warehouse open all day, they cheerfully comply, — Advt St George Jams— Ask for, and see that you get them. ■•• Apvt. For 14 days only. We will sacrifice the whale of o.ur stock at unheard of prices. We are stocktaking and intend to make an entire clearance. Bar^ius for everybody. W M'Kay iXD Son.— Advt, If those troubled with Dandruff, or Dry Scalp, or Falling Hair would only try a bottle of Parker's Hair Tonic, the results would surprise them, All chemists 3eil i 2s 6d : posted, 3s,— Advt. St George Jams— The best in the market. Try them —Advi.