CASUAL NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 257, 27 September 1935, Page 8

CASUAL NOTES

(By “The Watcher.”) ONE FOR HIS NOB. ' A writer in an English magazine just to hand tells the following story. Leigh Hunt has a story that the strange, “stickit” clergyman, his own eccentric father, could do nothing right in his own interest. He once fell into hot debate with a bishop, possibly Loutli. At last that prelate, perhaps surprised by the freedom of his antagonist, said : “Do you know who I am?” “lies, my lord,” replied Hunt with a bow, “dust and ashes!” A GREAT SCHEME. This reminds me that in Wellington there is a Mr Leigh Hunt, who is secretary and promoter of the greatest development scheme yet launched in this Dominion. As I write I have before me a copy of “An Empire Enterprise,” compiled .by Mr Hunt some years ago, and giving particulars of the scheme. It is nothing less than one to connect the overflow waters of the great Lake Manapouri with one of the West Coast Sounds and establish works for the manufacture of nitrates from the air, by electricity as is now done in Norway. The New 'Zealand Sounds Hydro-Electric Concessions, Ltd., is the name of the exploiting company. It has all the reports and concessions necessary, and all it requires is the financial backing. One set of concessions refer to Smith Sound, and the oilier to Doubtful Sound. ‘“lt is confidently stated that nowhere in the world can nitrates be produced and put on shipboard at a lower cost than at Deep Cove.” Calcium carbonate is found everywhere. Great marble deposits abound in the district. Nitrates are wanted everywhere in the world where food is grown. An almost unlimited market exists in Australia, not to speak of New Zealand, itself. Synthetic nitrates have largely displaced the natural supply from Chile and the demand doubles every ten. years. But the West Coast scheme would not apply only to nitrates. It could apply to any industry requiring a large volume of cheap power. This the electric installations, already in existence in the Dominion cannot supply. “It is confidently believed that there is no large undeveloped source of power in the world alongside a deep water harbour that can be developed at so low a cost as the Manapouri-Deep Cove scheme.’ There is the scheme. What remains is to put it through. This means money. Where should it come from. The writer hates the idea of going on the London market for it. In that case all interest and profit would leave the country. No 1 We should try somehow to raise the money ourselves. But what have the Government to say about it? They are too busy with the farmers. And the M.P.’s? They are too busy with hunting for votes to office And so a great imperial scheme which would give employment to thousands and bring millions every year into the country stands like a pillar of salt waiting for a man to turn it into life.

ABYSSINIA AND ITALY. At the time of writing things are not so favourable. The League Committee, headed by the Spaniard Madriarga, has formulated its proposals for a settlement, and these have been, sent to King Selassie and Mussolini. Practically tiie latter asks for “something better.” The King-lias accepted. He is prepared to concede a good deal, but reruses to surrender absolute sovereignty over an acre of his Empire. Nor can we forget Anthony Eden’s remark that, from the British Empire’s point of view, “the last word” in the way of concession to Italy has been said. We do not think for one moment that Mussolini’s last demands —not even to avoid the war which he seems bent on —will be accepted. It looks as if lie must either launch the war lie has contemplated all through or “lose face” and meet Italy as “The Man Who Couldn’t.” It is even being said he has been reading up Napoleon’s life and lias an eye on some quiet island for retirement. Better that than war. If war should break out, it would have tremendous repercussions, even throughout the British Empire. THE SUEZ CANAL. A glance at the map shows that Italy stands in the Mediterranean Sea half way between Gibraltar (which Britain controls) and the Suez Canal. About sixty years ago the French, under Baron de Lesseps, started to make the canal. The scheme broke down, but the work was eventually completed. One morning, during the reign of Victoria the Great, the world was astounded to find that during the night that wonderful Hebrew, Benjamin Disraeli, then British Premier, had purchased sufficient shares to give Great Britain a controlling interest in the canal. Probably this was the greatest feat in national finance the world has ever seen. Another glance at the map will show the canal is the gateway to. l,ndia, the Far East and Australia. It is also the only .route by which Italy can reach Abyssinia, which lies behind British Somaliland as well as Eritrea and Italian Somaliland, both Italian territories. With a keen eye to possibilities —and perheps as something more than a broad hint to Mussolini—the British Government have recently concentrated a big fleet of warships in the vicinity of Suez. Mussolini has done the same, and there is nothing to stop him. The position has not become sufficiently acute, and it is certain our Government, acting under the League, will do nothing by which it can be charged with being “the aggressor.” Meantime, one fleet of • twenty-four British destroyers has arrived suddenly without fuss or notice of any kind. The Italian fleet has also been heavily strengthened. This all points' to the certainty that if sanctions come into force and fail, and war eventuates, it will open as a naval war, Abvssinia being left to defend herself on land. The Italian navy is well equipped—of that there can be no doubt —and Britain might have all her work cut out to win in sucli a combat. But the Suez Canal is of such vast importance to Britain, Egypt and India, as well as our trade with the Ear East and Australia, that the whole resources of the Empire would be called, into play to make sure of victory. “Give peace in our time, 0 Lord,” may well be the daily prayer of every Briton at present.

THE PACIFISTS. At such a time, and with such vast issues overhanging, a body of clergy and laymen have waited on the Prime Minister and told him that' on conscientious grounds they will refuse all military service or duty appertaining thereto in any way, but will do civilian service equal to military. The Prime Minister gave the only reply he could : That the law would have to obeyed. A man’s individual conscience is one thing: his duty to defend his country is another, and clearly overrides the individual conviction. It is by no means certain that if war comes there will be compulsory military service. This writer believes that more than those required for a few contingents would volunteer: —many more. 'I he pacifists largely rely on the commandment given to Moses, “Thou shalt not kill,” which, of course, means individual murder. But what was the history of the Jewish nation, as recorded in the

Old Testament, but one long recitation of war against their enemies. They had to conquer the original inhabitants of the Holy Land in order to make their home there. If they turn to the Sermon bn the Mount —preached by our Lord, who was a Jew- —they may find one or two passages teaching forbearance under attack, but can they carry that principle . out in private life ? If so, why do we have police, and detectives, and magistrates, and gaols. What the police are in private life, the League of Nations is in international matters. Its purpose is to “keep the peace.” We trust it will be strengthened by the trials through which it is passing, and that after this the destruction of peace will become unthinkable. A POLITICAL NOTE. The Budget has come down, and on the whole has been well received. It balances, and that is tho main thing. There is to bo as little borrowing as possible, but the heavy taxation is to be maintained except for 2d off the unemployment tax in the £. Old age pensioners are to get the full pension, and part of the civil service “cuts” are to be restored, as also is our old friend the sixpenny telegram. Meantime, the Government appear to contemplate making the unemployment fund permanent. They are preparing a longrange scheme of public works extending over years and years, and look to the unemployment fund to pay the piper. Meantime, what does Labour say? It sits tight like Brer Rabbit and says “nuffin!” It confidently expects office by the end of the year, and looks on this and other things as so many pots on the cooker being got ready for the dinner when it gets in. But will it? All the portents seem to say it has shot its bolt. We shall see. A WORD OF WISDOM. In the long run, men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, though they should fail immediately they had better aim at something high.—H. D. Thore a u.