NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22401, 23 April 1936, Page 10

NOTES AND COMMENTS

DICTATORS IN EARNEST Referring to Continental dictators in a speech at Newcastle, Lord Stone haven said that Britain must not delude itself into the belief that these dictators were bluffing. They were determined to lead their nations out of their difficulties, and they bad behind them the overwhelming support of the mass of their countrymen. Some of the great countries on the Continent had not sufficient to eat and their finances were in an appalling condition and they were led by some of the most remarkable men in history—men who had risen by their own character to greater power than that of Emperors before tho war. In reference to the League of Nations, Lord Stonehaven said: "It must not bo forgotten that the League was a means to an endpeace and prosperity in tho world. If it did not give those things wo would have to try something else." HEALTH AND AGRICULTURE The application of science to agriculture has enabled the production of health foods in such abundance that tho "glut" has embarrassed the economic system, writes a special correspondent of tho London Observer. At the same time the advance in medical soience has shown that increased consumption of these by the poorer half of the British people, and by a great majority of people in countries which are poorer than Britain, would lead to a reduction in disease and an improvement m the physique of the next generation. Here is a new situation, which calls for economic statesmen to realise the vision of a healthier and happier world. It is now recognised by economists that social measures by increased consumption have saved Britain from the worst effects of the world economic crisis. Tho British instinct to do the right thing-to apply the wealth of the' State to the improvement of health and raising tho standard of living—may again prove to be profound economic wisdom. DISPARAGEMENT 'OF LAWYERS A recent reference by the Lord Chief Justice of England, Lord Hewart, to " the persistent crabbing, disparaging and defaming of the law courts by certain persons for indirect and ulterior purposes " somehow suggests a rather sinister and calculated conspiracy, whereas most of the " disparaging of law courts and lawyers is usually done in an offhand and probably unreflecting fashion, says a writer in the Manchester Guardian. And if anyone wants to know, he continues, why the tendency to " disparage " law courts should exist lie has only to bethink himself of what often happens there to tho layman, and how "matey" and well at ease the legal fraternity appears, and what a worm-and wastrel the mere witness or litigant may be made to feel himself as he languishes outside the charmed circle of learned and so fsatisfied friends. Besides, lawyers, like income-tax inspectors and other professional enemies of mankind, aro always pinning the pure human passion for abstract justice down to pettifogging points of law. That naturally makes them unpopular, but nothing can be done about it when they aro on their own carefully guarded ground. However, once released from the malevolent clutch of these experts the victim can always apply himself to being rude and ironical at their villainous expense. As tho gentleman announces so triumphantly at tho end of that well-known ballad, " That s were us gets us oan back! " BRITAIN AND FRANCE Why British opinion in all walks of life has become critical of France is explained in a. letter to the London newspapers by Mr. Ellis W. Davies, M.P. He points out how the French had in 1923 by entering the Ruhr Valley violated the provisions of tho Treaty of Versailles, and Mr. Lloyd George, speaking in tho House of Commons, has charged France with violating another of these provisions by not disarming. The French Government may, and does, ignore these charges, but M. Flandin and his friends aro mistaken if they think that they can break the provisions of treaties notwithstanding British objections, and then ask for sanctions against Germany when sho follows their example —with this difference in her favour, however, that while the French entered Gorman territory in 1923, tho Germans to-day have only reoccupied their own. In addition to tho breaches of the Covenant, it should be remembered that during tho war, that is in 1917, tho French Government, although one of Britain's allies, made a secret treaty with Russia, under, which, curiously enough, France wat£ to obtain for herself tho demilitarised 7,0110 of tho Rhineland now in question. Tt was a secret treaty. It was not communicated to Britain, and there can be 110 doubt that it greatly' prolonged tho war. More than that, the British Government desired and arranged for the landing of troops at Alexandretta, with a view of marching to the Bosphorus. The French Government objected, and the project had to bo abandoned, ending in the catastrophe and terrible losses at Gallipoli and the further prolongation of the war. My authority for the statement is the late Lord Bryce, who told me of the incident soon after it had taken place.