Grey River Argus and BlacKball news. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 28th 1911.

Grey River Argus, 28 January 1911, Page 4

Grey River Argus and BlacKball news. PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, JANUARY 28th 1911.

As .references to the "Declaration of London" have .been frequent in the cable news of late, a ' good many would like to know a little more about it. The question is somewhat cqmpifcated. But it involves several questions of considerable importance to the Empire. Underlying- them all, however, is , Britain's supremacy of the sea. It appears that it is the fear of London that Britain will be able to maintain that supremacy in future naval wars that she has held in the past. Hence the City of London has drawn ..up a "Declaration" as to what shall be declared contraband of war and what shall be free from ■ seizure. A feature of the Declaration that has caused jio end of surprise among-st the dependencies of the Empire is that the Declaration of London was considered, prepared, and agreed to without the slightest reference to any of the great British dependencies, whose trade -has out. distanced that of many of the foreign countries with which Britain has developed extensive trading" relation sr It would seem that those' responsible for the Declaration' of London looked on it as their right to initiate steps relating to everything likely to involve the question of contraband of war without consulting the overseas dominions, which does -not seem to be either fair or very good business. It is true' that the Declaration of London has formulated a code of in- . ternational law .regarding -the' matters • that hitherto have been a sort of. conglomeration of old usages sometimes recognised and as often not, and. mainly' at the mercy of circumstances. Many striking instances of this, anomalous style of procedure inigJit be cited from the Russo-Jap-anese War. 1 The object of the Declaration, is, no doubt, a good one. It is to reduce to law and order much that depended — and too often depends entirely — upon the spirit and power of the combatants. But the great difficulty is always in giving force - as well as validity to the code of the Declaration.. Assuming that the application would be accepted all round, it" would mean that the bulk of raw materials adapted for [British' manuf'aic(?u4ife> wouJLd'" [ ib.e \exempted from seizure. The Westminster Gazette, therefore, argues that the food supply for the British people — who now mainly depend upon foodstuffs produced outside of the country— will be .bettor safeguarded "with the Declaration, inasmuch as the French and German courts have decided that foodstuffs can be declared absolutecontraband which position must be. abandoned under the Declaration. It is difficult to see the value oif the Declaration- when it is open toother Powers to declare foodstuffs of any kind contraband of war and liable, to seizure whenever the opportunity may be deemed convenient, and to do this whenever it is expedient is the policy that has been laid down by the great German war teacher Clauswitz. It is a doctrine," too, that they have faithfully observed ever since Clausewitz, was recognised as the theoretical teacher of the principles of making war to "the German nation, and it is pretty certain, that the lessons he taught will be adhered to in this generation. Either on war or the preparation of war Clausewitz regarded it as profoundly silly not to;---take advantage 'of every opportunity that presented itself. It is therefore sound policy for Britain, at any cost, to retain her power of keeping the sea open. She 'must retain Her old position as Mistress of the Seas, and cease to depend iipbn any international ' agreement. Agreements are very good and useful in their way, especially when' the contract is with am inferior Power: but 'agreements are always dangerous when made with a Power superior in any respect and which has to-be trusted to in any way in war. Admiral Fremantle condemns the Declaration, because he is of the opinion that none of the signatories would. observe it in war time. No doubt, the* Admiral does not'distrust Germany more than he distrusts any other 'nation: He is; evidently moved ,by hip knowledge " of human, nature, especially, in war time. «We are at one with the Admiral. Wehave a great admiration, for the Germanic race and; : do "not 'believe that they mean war wim ; .Britain. At 'the same time we should .be afraid to trust them if a good; opportunity presented itself for the aggrandisement of the German Empire,' whether at the expense of Britain or any other nation. It is. easy to preach' ( the virtues of the Declaration of London, and the strength, and many advantages of a common understanding, amongst the nations as to contraband, but the world is vet in want of an international court that could enforce its decisions. We have the: elements of one in the Hague Tribunal, but that is still far from occupying such a positibn, .and until it reaches that stage of ppwei^. Britain should, adhere to hej pld poficyj pf laying down the

law of the sea. As yet there axe only two nations that the world can completely trust, "and until they voluntarily agree to police the ocean — as both mig-ht well agree to do — Britain must continue to play a lone ihand on the oceans of the world. J.n the process of time, no doubt, the force of circumstances will gradually draw the forces of Britain and America together in the cause and interests of a common "humanity. When that alliance comes about, as come about it seems to be the destiny .of. the' most chivalrous and horiestest race on the earth, then compact of the . nations may be hoped to be ■honestly observed. The safest course, in the meantime, is to stick, to -the old policy, and in war time make the . sea British territory and be prepared to defend it ag-ainst all comers. Britain' is not without friends and allies amongst the nations, even if. she has a jealous, powerful and possible enemy in Germany. The wireless system of. Marconi will act as. a watcher on the face of the ocean, and must make for peace, amongst the nations,' as science does generally..

It appears that great objection is being raised in Alberta Land, Canada, bn account of Negroes swarming over the line into the province of Alberta to settle down on the land there. This is a little curious, as the Canadians in every part of Canada never offered any objection Negroes making Canada their home. In fact when, the Fugitive Slave Law was passed by Congress, nearly. 60 years ago, and when the "underground railway" played a great, pairt in running the esoaped slaves from the North and South into Canada, where they were on British soiland could not be arrested', the Canadians / qften helped them across the border, and always extended them a hospitable welcome by finding employment for the escapees and in various other ways! It is a surprise to see any objection raised against them now, especially as during all the years the negroes have lived in Canada^ and they .are numerous in some pairts) there has been no hostility evinced against them. They have generally bore a gopd character for. industry, thrift and steadiness. ' They have been frugal and save money, and take varieties of work which the whites do not care for, or. at any rate do not compete for. No employment seemed to come amiss .to the Negroes, as" they showed a happy knack of turning their hand to anything, and had a monopoly of different kinds of. industry picked, up in the States, that the Canadians knew little or nothing about. We are inclined to think that : this new-found hostility comes from the well-to-do Americans who have bought land in Alberta and settled down there in great numbers lately. They are streaming across the border to settle in Canada after selling their farms in the States. About 100,000. flocked into Canada last 3'ear, as well as the year before, and as they are all capitalists as well as practical, farmers, they probably feel tEemselves too superior to have blacks for ■ neighbours.' It is to .be hoped, that the Canadian Government /.will not listen to such fanciful objections' to the' poor blacks as are .being, now raised. Although, the Americans fought a -great war to. liberate their slaves, there is and always was an intense racial prejudice amongst the Americans.^ against their black and coloured countrymen. The average American is apt to (regard himself as : the lord of creation, and that a nigger is no more than a terrapin.

The dreadfully sad death of Mr Horatio Lyon at Wellington goes to show how. easy it is for a person who is a little shortsighted or \a. little deaf to meet with a fatal ' accident when moving about in the vicinity of railway trains, motor cars, or moving vehicles of any kind. Horatio MeCui lough Lyon was the son of one -of Weliington's oldest settlers, and had occupied several responsible positions in Wellington. "We knew him' from the days of leaving college and entering into his father's business. As far as we knew he was perfect in all his senses. Not are, we aware that he even wore spectacles "of any kind. He certainly did not wear glasses of any kind the last time_ we saw him at Wellington. He had a happy, breezy manner, and was very popular . unfortunately he has left a widow and family, and it is <3oubtful whether < they are provided for in any way. According , to the , telegram published yesterday morning regarding the dreadful accident, : hei appears to have been seized with sudden sickness and was anxious to get to his home as quickly as possible, and- inquired about the trains. It is quite " •vbV'tn'at the sudden faintness with which he was , overtaken may have dimmed his -sight -and rendered him somewhat weak and dizzy. Any or all of these causes may be responsible for the frightful 'accident. At any rate no sort of responsibility seems to rest on any of , the railway servants, while Traffic Inspector Daw son did all that could be deemed necessary in the circumstances. Poor Horatio ! the victim of an unfortunate conjunction of circumstances. "Boundary!" Up goes the -umpire's hand; Wade. and Co' s ■ Cricket Bats drive like mad. Section 17, block I j was bought by Mr W." Goard, at the sale of sections f on Janoiary 25th; . ' \ ' . Mark Sprot and Co' s stock entry for Monday's sale at Preston Yards appears in this issue. ■ - . At the last meeting of the Inangahua County Council it was resolved that the engineer be instructed.; to have the grant for the Waiuta-Big .River road expended from, both, ends simultaneously ' Dir Valintine has informed local bodies that the responsibility of controlling infectious diseases is >now in hands of the Hospital Boards, but re-, questing them to continue as at pre- f sent, until the Boards have provided the necessarjriaiiacfiineiy^ : "••'■.

The Boroug"h Council are invitingr applications in this issue for the position of Rate .Collector. Messrs Mcllroy and Son have landed a shipment of 401 b. cases of cooking applies. 5s '6d a ease.— Advt. The Cricket on the Hearth is a famous book. Wade and Co' s Cricket Bats are even imofe renowned. ' The New Zealand Government railways are inviting- tenders -for the supply of girders \for Dunedin-Mosgjiel Duplication. For further ■particulars see advertisement. Morocco's war indemnity, -'to be v paid. to Spain, on account "of the expenses I of the Riff campaign, has been. -fixed at with interest a|' 3 per cent. _.■..■ '"" -'" '"■ '" Teniders for supplies to the Grey Fiver Hospital dose with the secret-, ary at noon to-day. Tenders are being; called for. twelve months' supply and mot six months' as previously.^ Mark Sprot and Co. advertise a quarter of an acre of beautifully dear ed ground in the heart, of Blaketown. The price for the lot is only £45. A real bairg'ain. : . The head office of the Public Works Department are inviting- tenders thro-ug-hi this issue for the Big- Hill Tunnel contract on the Lawrence-Roxburgh, railway. ;.For furthpr particulars. . see advertisement in amother column. Included in the carg-o of the Parisiana—wiich took lfixe and was aband- • oned icn the South Indian Ocean— were eig-ht Overland motor-cars for Messrs Hatrick and Co., of Wangariui. : The .members of the Kumara Cycling: Club contemplate having -a run to Coal Creek Falls tKis "afternoon, taking- the train to Greymouth. Nonmembers "are cordially ' invited but must pay their own expenses. The tender of Mx.. A. Russell has been -accepted by : the Greymouth Jockey Club for the completion of the Grandstand at Omoto.'The- contract price is £180. Other tenders received are as follpAvs:— H. Fnanklin, £230 16s; Mordaunt .and .Drake,' £226 15s; W. Hill, £215; P. jrMoran, £18S. In St. John's"* Presbyterian Church to-morrow the .rooming^ service will be conducted by Mr AY. J. Cookson, :ad in the evening; the Rey> R. Stew- " art will preach. Mr Cookson will preach in the Druid's Hall, Dunollie, ' a.t 7 p.m. — Advt. : . Mr Colvin, M.P., wrote to the Murchison County Council that next ': year, the Solicitor-General, Dr :Findlay, would introduce a .bill to enable , the Murchis.oA. Co.un.ty. Coifficil. to bor- , ro\y in prder to relieve itself of tip liability to the Inangahua County Council. • Who said cricket? Rather! I got my outfit at Wade and. Cos.. A Canadian correspondent of a contemporary states that a great g-as well over 1000 ft. deepi and yielding 3,000,---000 cubic feet per day, has been successfully tapped in. the. 'Hargrave property in the city of Medicine Hat, Albert. Trains* running in -the vicinity have been using natural gas as an il- : luminant for some, time. It. is not generally known that un-r der the Act of last session amending the Municipal Corporations Act, provision, is made that persons renting; offices, or. other premises in town,; though they, dp, not reside in town, can, if they so. desire, be. enrolled. It is provided, however, thatc. the annual rental paid in, respect to thelpremises ■ rented by them must -not, be less than '^io. :; - ; , The Government (states the Even- , ing Post) is considering- the question of having a Coronation, medal struck v for distrißution among: the. school chil/dren of New Zealand^ A design' Eas ; bisen submitted ajt, a -certain pripe, ' and in order to' find out; what the. ; cost would be the iGovernment is formally inviting tenders. The, amount ... expended on providing, medals, to the: , children in. celebration of- Dpminipiii ■ Day was just over. ;£I2BQ.

Several cases of sunstroke have occurred here during the last week (says a (Nelson' paper). Mr de Looze, or- i ganist of Ml Saints' Church. was taken ill in, v|Us respect on Saturday and was unable to preside at the organ. It is understood, that his case is -not at all serious. Those people wno are inclined to be venturesome in the direction of not wearing any covering on the head will no '-doubt take warning from these cases. • In regard to my only-genuine B.S. A bicycle, telling tne plain truth, and -aisfeparesenting .nothing are my strongest weapons of defence "again l st competitors. — G. Kitchingham, Boundary Street. The Labour Journal for January is to hand. According to the list the art isans and labourers employed undei the' Public Works Department during, the /month of November, 1910 was 5,--560. This yould seem to show that, with all New Zealand's alleged prosperity and. the shocking way in which the co-operatives are treated on public works, in respect to. •bad tents and poor pay, the number at work' still increases. In. November there were 5,560 of all classes. Of these 3,433 were on railways, and 2,101 on roads. The number of artisans were 277 on railways and 26 on roads. As usual the bulk were employed on the North Island. The Government Labour Agent reports for January of the labour market and its prospects as follows, for Greymouth: — As predicted in the last •report, the general improvement in nearly all the branches of industry •has been maintained light up to the holidays, a_ad traders in particular are Well satisfied with the business done during the past month: All skilled trades bave been busy, while some of the tailoring and dress-making factories have been -unable to complete their Christmas orders, and have plenty of wqrfc on/ hand -with which, to commence the new year. The timber industry has had -a very busy •month, the export of timber almost -constituting a record. All the retail traders (report good business done. Money has been fairly plentiful, and has been freely circulated. Stationers^ fancy-goods dealers, and toy-shops have all done a very good business, as also have fruiterers and confectioners. The reason I sell my only genuine, B.S. A bicycle so much cheaper than anyone else is because I am satisfied with a great deal less profit. — G. Kitchingham, Boundary Street. The Wellington correspondent of the Petone Chronicle writes ':— "l 'notice in a Westport paper the court says that it was not illegal to sell liquor on the 26th December, amd has dismissed prosecutions against a local publican The hotelkeepexs wbo went by Dr Findlay' s dictum that the hotels must close will come to the _ conclusion that an Attorney-General may be emphatic without being wise. It reminds one of -the time when the . Honorable Doctor threatened the Racing ClUbs that he would take away their tote permits if they did not license all the persons who called themselves bookmakers and applied for betting licenses. The result of this ultimatum was to deluge New Zealand wit Australian spielers. We haven't got rid of the curse yet." An interesting wedding was solemn ised at Taylorville on Thursday by the Rev. J. J. Heard. The contracting- parties being rM Robert Leitch, , youngest son of Mr Alexander Leitch, of Newcastle, New South Wales, and Miss Louisa Watson, second daughter of Mr John Watson, of Taylorville. The bride was attended by the Misses E. and A. Watson. Messrs Edwin and John Watson officiated as groomsmen- The bride wore a beautiful cream taffetta dress, trimmed with spangled net, silk insertion, ornaments and ribbon. She wore a wreath and veil and carried a beautiful shower boquet. She also wore a gold spray brooth, the gift of the bridegrbom. At the wedding breakfast the usual toasts were drunk with enthusiasm, the happy couple being spoken of in the most eulogistic terms. , Trathen and .Co. have purchased .anotheo* lot of smart hats and will sacrifice at Is lid to 2s lid each. Also 15 dozen flowers and sprays at practicallv your own prices. — Advt. The secretary of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce has received a letter from , the Reefton Chamber as follows: "I have been directed by the Council of the Reefton Chamber of Commerce to ask your co-opera-tion in obtaining- the establishment of-wool-classing classes on the West Coast. My Chamber has been given to understand that if four classes of at least 14 persons (over 14 years of age) can be formed for the purpose, . the Nelson Education Board will have the classes given 12 wool-classing lessons by Mr Hambly, a professional wool-classer. The Chamber is also given to understand that the Government will pay railway fares and half coach fares for students attending these classes. I shall be glad to hear from you on the matter, and whether a class can be formed in your district." Alex. Lennie is still at the Club. — ' Alvt. Trathen and Coy are clearing oat all their summer dress materials, re-g-ajrless of cost. Come in and in-' spect. it will pay you. — Advt. Keep your eye on my cyclery, ?.-nd pour mind on my sale bargains, for >nly genuine B.S. A bicycles. Quali:ies like these tell; prices like these jell. Your satisfaction is my success. — G. Kitchingham, Boundary Street. Some of the Clearing Lines at W. McKay and Son's Summer Sale: — is 6d Blousesfor Is lid, Ladies' Belts h 6Jd for Is, Holland Coats for Is, Fob Corsets Is 6d and Is lid pair. Damaged half Curtains Is, Is 6d and " Js 6d the piece. It will pay you . o call in amd see our big bargains. W. McKa^ and Son, The Leading Drapers.