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Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1937, Page 4

If it was true, as the Prime Minister had stated that “democracy is always two years behind the dictator,” then democracy would be destroyed, said Mr Winston Churchill in an address to the New Commonwealth Society. In the Groat War it was the Parliamentary nations that conquered, and the autocratic Empires that fell to pieces without exception. If democracy m Great Britain and in other countries was in danger now, as perhaps ir, might he, it was not democracy that was at fault, hut the leadership that it had received. Who should say that Europe could not save itself if it tried? If mankind meant to have peace its will could be made effective, but only if it acted upon a plan and

obeyed the law on which that plan was based. If only the people of Spain six months ago could have foreseen the honor that had overtaken them, how easy it would have been for them to stop it. When lie brooded on that tragedy, he asked himself whether it was not a portent to warn all Europe of the fate which might lie at no grcuo distance from fheni all, upon a scale to which the Spanish horror would bo but a small working model. Referring to the plan for an international force to carry out the decision of a European, or if possible, a world council, ho said there was nothing easier than to marshal and magnify obvious difficulties that stood in the way, but no one could dispute the achievement or such an ideal, and its acceptance sinml* taneously by many countries would be the greatest blessing that could come to mankind. It was essential, however, that they should deal with realities and not with shams; that peoples and Governments should not lay aside their own means of defence, unless and until new real, and superior guarantees were in fact provided. Mere words, pious sentiments, good intentions by themselves were of no avail. All true members of, the League of Nations must play their part, each do rts share, and must prove quite plainly that there were enough when added together to restrain, overawe and in the last resort compel the aggressor, whether ft mu within the League or outside it.

A store stock sale will lie held at Arahura on Tuesday next. Squadron-Leader Stedinan, piloting a Miles Hawk monoplane, arrived this morning from Wellington about ID o’clock. He was to leave again at 3 p.m for Wellington on the return trip. The General Manager of Railways (Mr Mackley) was a passenger by the plane. Yesterday was another fine and sunny day, and a coo! breeze blew continuously throughout. There was a late but picturesque sunset, and the evening itself was cool. This morning dawned similar to yesterday, dull with dark clouds threatening, but these later changed to bright sunlight. Owing to damage sustained by the rail car at Arahura on Monday leaving only ono rail car available it has been necessary to cancel all local rail car trips on the West Coast on and after Wednesday, 20th January. The rail car trips from Christchurch to Hokitika and Hokitika to Christchurch will run as usual. A fatal accident ocurred at Stockton mine last night when a brakesman named Sidney Lowry, was caught under some trucks and killed. Deceased was thrown off the brake car and three trucks passed over him. as far as can be ascertained, he was killed outright. He was a native of County Durham, England, and a married man witli two children.

The estimated population of New Zealand at September 30, 1930, was 1,577,109. an increase of 14,990 since September, 1935. This figure includes Maoris, but does not include the population of the Cook Islands and other Pacific Islands. A striking feature of the increase, however, is that the female population is increasing at more than double the rate of increase of the male population. The stakes for the Westport Jockey Club’s annual meeting on March 20 and 22 have been increased from £I2OO to £I4OO. The principal increase is in the Westport Handicap, the third event on the second day, the stakes having been raised from £125 to £l7O. With the exception of the Morley Handicap, the big event on the first day, 'which remains at £125, all other events have been increased by £lO and. now range from £7O to £95. The danger of playing and fishing from open culverts on the river banks was exemplified a day or so ago when a youth, who with others, was fishing for eels at the stern of the Orewa, having been tempted to swing on one of the iron bars from the works to the hank, slipped and fell into about four feet of water in a culvert. Prompt assistance from liis companions helped him to terra firm a again, and he was fortunate in escaping with no other injury than a thorough wetting, ana the loss of one or two teeth.

Cars driven by Messrs P. Griffon and M. Connolly came into collision at the top of Larrikin’s Hill on Saturday afternoon. Griffen’s car, which was on the way from Hokitika, contained six passengers, three being children, whilst the other ear, proceeding in the opposite direction, contained two passengers and the driver. The cars were extensively damaged, but the occupants, with the exception of W. Tinetti who received cuts about the head, and Elien Shearer (3 years old) who was slightly bruised, escaped injury.

At the Magistrate’s Court, Greymouth, yesterday the licensee of the Australasian Hotel, Greymouth, Mary E. Carney on a charge of selling liquor after hours was fined £2 and costs, and E. Carney for supplying £1 and costs. George Robert Hewison 29, married, was charged (1) that, at Kumara, on November 14, he committed the theft of a suitcase, hat, and clothing of the total value of £1 9s, the property ol George Raymond Southbv; (2) that on or about October 30, at Cape Terrace, near Kumara, lie committed the theft of a motor-trailer, valued at £2, the property of John Neame. Accused pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to six weeks’ imprisonment, with hard labour. An order was made for the payment of £T 9s to the owner of the stolen goods.