THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1921. THE GERMAN INDEMNITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18158, 1 February 1921, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1921. THE GERMAN INDEMNITY.

When Germany embarked on the great adventure of\world-subjugation on that fateful day in 1914 she accepted the gambler’s risks. Had she won, the gambler’s prize, was hers, and a large part of the material world and the whole 'Of the world’s liberty would have been in her keeping. Though the stakes in this case were the lives and liberties of unoffending nations, Germany apparently never dreamed that her own future was also staked in the gambler’s throw. She undoubtedly expected a repetition of 1870, with a correspondingly higher Stake; but, as she has lost on this occasion, she must pay forfeit. Truth to tell, Germany is not a good loser, any more than she was a good winner in. bygone days, and her haggling, together with the consideration shown by the Allies, is in strange contrast with her attitude to and treatment of France in the seventies. Mere recrimination cannot now be helpful, and the problem involved in fixing the German indemnity is greater than even the financial .readjustment involved. Germany cannot adequately repair the ravages of the war, but the Allies are united in demanding" the utmost of her capacity in that respect. Clearly, the payments must be within her capacity, for if the burden imposed upon her entailed her financial and industrial collapse, she would end by paying nothing. That would be neither good business nor would it help the peaceful rehabilitation ofi Europe, though the punishment might be held to be fitting for the crime. The ex-German Chancellor declared at the Spa Conference that Germany would carry out the terms of the Treaty of Versailles within the limits of her possibilities, that she would frankly show her books to the Allies, and that she would submit documents not specially prepared for the occasion. A financial memorandum was presented which showed that her treaty obligations involved a yearly impost of 4400 marks on each household, and that 81 per cent, of the taxpayers had incomes in 1918 of less than 3000 marks. . The knotty question at that conference, however, was that of Germany’s ability to produce coal, and an agreement respecting it was finally at, which been reasonably well kept. At the conference of last week a decision on the larger question has been reached. While it must be agreed that a very large demand is to be made upon Germany, it cannot be regarded as ample recompense to the injured nations. As cabled, the reparation terms will include 42 annuities dating''from May, 1921. The first two will be of £100,000,000 each; the next three of £160,000,000; then three of £200,000,000; and three of £250,000,000; and finally .31 of £300,000,000 ; Great Britain’s total share will be £2,486,000,000. Staggering as the total may appear, it must ever Be remembered that. French cities, towns, and villages in large numbers were destroyed, and the countryside laid bare, and that while the damage in the, rural districts is being rapidly repaired, the task of rebuilding the towns will be gigantic in the extreme. , And while the Allies have little jyish now to humiliate further a conquered nation, it is both wise and just to insist that a country which wantonly involved the worjd in war shall suffer penalties substantial and reasonable for its wrongdoing. That the penalty to be exacted is reasonable may be taken for granted. If France is to some extent dissatisfied, the explanation is simple. France suffered most severely in the war. Moreover, she has not forgotten the past. The final ratification is fixed for the consideration of a further conference in London on February 28, and while it is perhaps too much to hope that the terms will be accepted by Germany in the proper spirit, it may bo taken for granted that they will form the basis of the final settlement. It is well that the matter of indemnities should be finally adjusted with the utmost despatch, as a settlement of the disturbed conditions in Europe is not likely, to be advanced by a continuance of international controversies.

THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Whatever may be the experience of*fche Minister of Finance in the ensuing year or two, the public accounts fit the nine months of the current year that have expired show that the revenue has been distinctly buoyant. It is fortunate that this has been the case since the expenditure has been increasing both heavily and rapidly. The position at the close of the December quarter, as compared with that for the corresponding nine months of the previous financial year, will be seen at a glance by reference to the following figures :

1919-20. 1920-21. , Revenue £14,365,595 £19,940.133 Expenditure .. 16,830,538 20,369,260 The increase in revenue for the nine months of the current year over that for the corresponding period of last year, therefore, >vas £5,574,538. This shows a very considerable expansion which is due in great measure to the extensive importations during the period and to the consequent increase in the receipts fr.un Customs duties. Tho yield from this particular source in

the first three-quarters of the past financial year was £3,415,292, but in the current year it totalled £6,582,088, so that one source of revenue alone provided the Minister of Finance with funds exceeding by more tlipn three millions sterling the amount obtained from it in the corresponding period of last year. The fact that the expenditure for the nine months that have passed was £429,127 in excess of the revenue possesses no sinister significance. The expenditure for» the first threequarters of the financial year is commonly greater than the revenue. It is in the final quarter that the incometax payments, which amounted last year to more than six millions sterling, are made, and the returns for this quarter may generally be relied upon to place a satisfactory complexion upon the accounts for the year. It will be observed, moreover, that the excess of expenditure over revenue for the nine months of this year, heavily though the expenditure itself has been swelled, is only a fraction of the corresponding excess for last year. That in itself is a healthy sign, even if it may bo regarded as merely the product of a passing phase. For, though, upon the figures, it is reasonably clear that the Minister of Finance will have a substantial balance of revenue over expenditure at the close of the financial year, it would be foolish to expect a continuance of the conditions which have been so favourable to him. It is certain that there. will be a fairly drastic curtailment of importation in the near future, so that the Customs receipts will decline sharply, and it is practically certain also that the proceeds of the income tax will drop. If the yield from the two principal sources of revenue is simultaneously affected in an adverse direction, it follows that the Government will have to curtail its expenditure, and the probability is that it will' have to do so somewhat materially. When economies are to be made, however, it is a prudent thing, from every point of view, to bring them into effect as gradually as possible. If we are to have a lean year or two, the statesmanlike policy is plainly to prepare in abvance for them and so to adjust the finances as to weaken the force of the blow when it comes.

THE INDIAN PUZZLE. Despite the efforts of Mr M. K."' Ghandi, the pacifist firebrand, and his extremist followers tne reception accorded to the Duke of Connaught at Calcutta was a fitting exhibition of the loyalty of the people of India. The reference of the Duke to Calcutta as the London of the East was as happy as were his weighty words respecting the future of the great Empire of India. In reality a wonderful opportunity has been presented to Lidia which the incomprehensible action of the extremists is destined to hamper. For the ®st time in her history a large measure of self-governing power has been granted in the hope that it will be wisely used in order that additional powers may fallow. Of this there can be no possible doubt, and yet the present regime is described by <Mr Ghandi as " a kingdom of sin,” and the operation of voting, necessary to establish the Councils, has been stigmatised as “ sinful." This mystical disturber of the peace is surely one of the world’s most puzzling human problems, let his influence is great and undeniable. It is to be hoped that the visit of the Duke of Connaught, to be followed later by that of the Prince of Wales, who has been so conspicuously successful in the role of Imperial Ambassador, will clear away the misconceptions as to the ultimate objects 'of British rule. Those objects are a united, prosperous, and seif-governed India, and the use which is made of the present extensions towards that end will alone, determine the length of time necessary for the concession of still greater powers. British statesmen have met and overcome many knotty problems in colonisation and government, but India presents many unique aspects. It is surely singular that the leaders of the extreme elements, standing as they do for selfgoverning powers of which they have had no experience, uncompromisjngly refuse to take advantage of opportunities which if successfully grasped would make the attainment of their goal certain. In the circumstances it can only*be tjusted that as British resource has been equal to the demands of the past it will not fail in the- present or tile future.

The vital statistics for the month of January are as follows:— Marriages, 64; deaths, 77; births, 152. The figures for January, 1920, are as follow:— Marriages, 70; deaths, 76; birth s( 159. ! The Koromiko, which is due to arrive at Dunedin this afternoon,, direct from Sydney, has on board a small English and Australian mail. The local portion, will be delivered on Wednesday morning.

Probably because it was the last day of the month, and many thought it was their last opportunity of registering firearms, the local police station presented an extraordinarily busy scene yesterday. Late in the afternoon Sergeant Scancftett estimated that he had dealt with some 2300 callers, and they were still coming. During the busiest hours the method adopted was to take them in batches of 20 and explain to them the procedure required. They were then provided with application forms, which are returnable within a fortnight. Mr P. C. Neill, late Vice-consul for France, has been notified by the French Government that the honour of the Medal lie da Reconnaissance of the First Order has been conferred upon him in recognition of his long service of over 50 years as representative of Franco in Dunedin. Mr Neill was appointed Consular Agent in IE6B, and was promoted to Viceconsul in 1900. In addition to the above, Mr Neill received the Medailte d’Honneur in 1907, ahd in 1918 he was made Officaer de I’lnstruction Publique—a high honour, it being the, second highest order given in France. Mr Neill resigned the post last year on retiring from active business, and was succeeded by his son, Mr Sydney D. Neill, the present Consular Agent for France.

Our special correspondent in Wellington wires that, owing to the New Plymouth mail train failing to link up with the Wahine, dozens of passengers were seriously inconvenienced, including a team of 20 swimmers for Dunedin. The Wahine sailed five minutes before the train arrived.

A Wellington Press Association telegram states that during the week ended yesterday there were notified in the Wellington health district four cases of infantile paralysis, seven of diphtheria, and six of tuberculosis. Dr Faris, health officer, said that all the cases of infantile paralysis were removed to the Hospital, and due precautions taken to prevent a spread of tho disease.

A Press Association telegram from Taurauga states that the Racing Commission reached there yesterday from Rotorua, and inspected the Paengaroa Hack Racing Club s course en route. The Commission also inspected the local racing ccmr*o, and leaves to-day for Wlalmivw and Opotiln* thenoa to CHsbnm*.

The Kaikorai Band paid a visit to tho Mental Hospital at Seacliff on Saturday afternoon and gave a concert to the patients. The band left by motor car at 2 o’clock, and on arrival at tho hospital gave a concert in the afternoon, and in tho

evening played a programme of dance music and selections. The patients were delighted with the performance, and the band earned the sincere thanks of the staff and inmates, which were suitably expressed by a member of the staff at the conclusion of the evening. Refreshments were provided by the medical superintendent, and the band thoroughly enjoyed their outing. The thanks of the band are due to Messrs J. B. Shaddock, Percy "Breen, Hunter M’Kechnie, A. E. Scott, R. T. Simpson, J. Storrie, E. Howlison, and JDavie for the use of their motor cars, which enabled the band to stay until late in the evening.

A correspondent writes to us to say that the correct name of the potato known in this district as “Iron Chief” is “Arran Chief,” the latter being the name given to it by the late Mr Alexander Macdonald, of Annat, Canterbury, who, bringing a

small quantity of seed from his native Isle of Arran, Scotland, introduced the variety to New Zealand seven years ago.

“There are three kinds of Customs duties

in Australia,” remarked a member of the Wellington- Central Chamber of Commerce at a special meeting relative to tariff revision (states the Dominion). “The duties are British, intermediate, and foreign, and I have it on first-hand information that goods imported to Australia from i New Zealand come under the category of foreign goods” ! The authorities controlling the Order of St. John of Jerusalem at St. John’s Gate, London (the headquarters of the Order), decided recently, as the result of experience gained during the war, that the time had arrived for the granting of a greater

measure of self-control to the branches overseas of the St. John. Ambulance Association and the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and in accordance with instructions received from England a Dominion Executive has now been set up for New Zealand. This executive will control the two important branches of the Order which are mentioned above, and will consist of Sir Heaton Rhodes, as chairman and director of'ambulance, Colonel G. Barclay, Commissioner in Charge of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in New Zealand, the chairman of each centre of the St. John Ambulance Association or liis representative, the assistantcommissioner in charge of each district .of the St. John Ambulance Brigade or his representative.

The Citizens’ Housing Committee has received a large number of applications for accommodation from intending visitors to the City during the Carnival period, which starts /next Saturday. These applications have all been filled "in private homes at prices ranging from 6s for bed and breakfast upwards, and the secretary advises that there is still accommodation available for a further 1500, so that country visitors need not fear being- unable to secure accommodation.

' The disappearance of the Otago military district reduces the number of district commands from four to three, and consequently Colonel T W. M'Donald (commanding the Otago district) is to retire on superannuation (wires our Wellington correspondent). The other three district commanders, Colonels Potter (Auckland), Melville (Wellington), and Young (Canterbury) are to command the new Northern, Central, and* Southern districts 'respectively.

The City Fire Brigade received a call at 4.13 p.m. yesterday to 93 Canongate street to a seven-roomed bouse occupied by Mr C. D. Butler. No one was in the house at the time, os the family had gone out for the evening. The outbreak was caused by an electee iron in the kitchen, which had been left connected with the The kitchen and the roof were badly damaged, while the rest of the house was damaged by smokp. The - house was covered by insurance, but the figures are not ascertainable. The contents of the house were not insured. A meeting of the Finance Committee of

tho War Memorial Committee was held in

the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, and was attended by Messrs J. J. Clark (in the chair), J. Loudon, J. Wilson, J. Inglis Wright, D. H. Hastings, and the Rev.

Bush King. Mr J. Loudon was sleeted chairman of the committee. It was decided

to hold a meeting on February. 23,- to ■Which delegates from the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, New Zealand Manufacturers’ Association, Trades and Labour Council, Employers’ Association, and the New Zealand Commercial Travellers’ Association trendd be asked to attend, and the chairman and Mr fright were appointed a sub-committee to draw up a scheme for collecting £15,000 and submit it to the meeting. It was further decided to hold a Memorial Week • from April 12 to April 19, when the whole community would be asked to combine their efforts to raise a memorial worthy of Dunedin’s soldiers who fell during the war. It was also agreed to engage Mr E. S. Wilson as campaign secretary. A resident called at the Police Station last week to register two revolvers, under the Arms Act (states the Thames Star). He produced the weapons. They were old flint revolvers, probably 200 years old. The barrels, which were screwed on, were of solid brass. The butts were rounded and mounted with pure silver. On the butt of each was a beautifully-designed and engraved silver plate, with the monogram (j.D.'S. and an ancient crest—a lion rampant. The woodwork, braes, and the steel were all delicately engraved. The maker, onp D, Moore, of London, had cut his name into the brass with great clearness. In one of the weapons the flint was still in position, and when fired struck a good spark by contact with the steel. The revolvers wore in perfect condition. The applicant said that they had once belonged to his great-grandfather. Military training under the compulsory clauses of the Defence Act, which were in abeyance during the war-period, will be resumed in earnest throughout Australia at the end of the present month. The first compulsory parades of the 1896 to 1902 quotas were announced on January 15. The reorganisation of the citizen forces is rapidly proceeding (says the Melbourne Age), and it is considered likely fhat the details of the scheme which has been considered by military representatives in the various States will bo finally adopted when the Minister of Defence returns to Melbourne. A feature of the' military training this year will be the fact that boys between the ages of 14 and 18 years, instead of engaging in ordinary military drill, will now be exercised and developed by means of organised games, in which their participation will be compulsory. These games will, it is anticipated, greatly assist the physical development of the lads, and at the same time be the means of showing them the particular branch of sport for which they, are best suited. The different sporting clubs will then take up the task. Some heavy shipments of butter and cheese will be made from Bluff during this week. The Pakeba will take 4000 boxes of butter, and the Durham 3200 boxes. The Pakeha will also carry 14,820 crates of cheese, of which the New Zealand Producers’ Association will consign 8030 crates, and the Durham 6269 crates, 2835 crates of this amount being consigned by the New Zealand Producers’ Association. The basis on which the produce will be lifted from the stores at Bluff will be “first in, first out.”

The recent dry spell has had the effect of causing the lakes at Kaitangata to fall to a point not reached for many years past (states our correspondent) There is hardly more than a foot of water in aay part of the lakes, and during the very hot weather on Thursday and Friday last thousands of perch and some trout succumbed to the unusual conditions. In the canal, too, which is now separated from the Take by over 100 yards of dry land, dead fish may be seen for its entire/ length. Some splendid, specimens of perch were noticed among the victims, ranging up to fully three pounds. Countless number® of the bully tribe also perished.- A peculiarity was noticed in that fill the perch died well away from the edge of the water, whilst the trout wore at the water’s edge. The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce will meet Mens. M. ,Henri Segoert, ConsulGen eml in Australasia far Belgium, on Tsta»d»T afternoon, .

In connection with the Otago Girls* Higt School jubilee' celebration®, it is interesting to note that some years ago an attempt was made to form a debating society at Lawrence. Mr Alexander Wilson, principal of the Otago High Schools, was communicated with, and was invited to give a lecture, with the objept of raising funds to assist the society. He telegraphed his reply, and stated that he would give an address on “Daffodils.” On journeying to Lawrence Mr Wilson took with ham a selection .of daffodil bulbs and flowers, and it was from tho former that the extensive growing of daffodils in the district originated. It is five years since the annuel' New ZealarM Conference of the Young Women’s Christian Association met in the south. This vear the Dunedin Association is again hostess to the conference, which will meet at Brighton During the last three years the girls’ work movement has become such a vital part of the association’s activities that the first four days of the present conference are being devoted to that department. The general conference commences on the evening of February 4, and will continue \ for one week. Special features will be tho discussions on recreation and health, community work, and foreign responsibilities. Cafeteria, hostel, and general membership work will receive their full share of attention. Mrs A. B. Kaye, of Christchurch president .of the Young Women’s Christian Association of New Zealand, will preside over the conference, and Mias F. Birch, executive secretary for New Zealand, will lead all discussions. The net Customs duty collected at the port of 'Dunedin for the month ended yesterday amounted to £83,621 10s 9d, and tho beer duty to £10,786 6s lOd. -The duty collected for the corresponding month of last year was £63,298 IDs sd, and the been duty £8203 Bs. The organiser of the South Island Potato Growers’ Association '(Mr T. Buxton) paid a visit to the Taieri district. He visited West and North Taieri and enrolled practically all the potato-growers there. Ha will spend another day in Hast Taieri oa his return. A Frees Association message from Invercargill states that Mr Buxton was > interviewed there, and said that the South Island Potato Growers’ Association had decided to make an effort to compensate the growers who lost heavily last year. It was hoped that further efforts to lift tho Australian embargo on potatoes would be successful, arid, in addition, the New Zealand Government was to be asked to set up .a plant to manufacture starch, flour, motor spirit, and other products from surplus potatoes. On one or two points the housing legisla. tion is decided, and admits of no discretion on the part of a magistrate to whom the plaintiff may refer his claim for the eviction of a tenant (says the Wellington Post). Thus, if a tenant allows his rent. to fall into arrears, the magistrate baa no option but to make an order in favour of the plaintiff landlord.’ Some weeks ago. a landlord sought possession of a house occupied by a man, his wife, and eight children, the eldest of whom is only 10 years of age, not in order that he might occupy it himself, but so that he might renovate it. The magistrate, Mr F. K. Hunt, then a<Jjoumed the case to afford the occupier an opportunity to pay up tho rent, which was ■' then 14 weeks in arrear. When the case was recalled it was stated that but, three weeks’ rent had been paid off, and thatthe occupier could not hope to earn more than £3 10s per week, as he suffered from. * chronic asthma. “This is a terrible case,” said Mr Hunt. “I must make an order, but where this family is to go I don’t know. Probably they will have to fall _ back an charitable aid. (To the landlord): ” How long can you give them?” “Two on three weeks.” was the answer. “They will have six weeks to get out,” replied the' magistrate. The prospects of a new railway station being erected in Wellington were discussed in a report presented at the last meeting of the 'Central Progress League. Referring to the reclamation required for the new railway yards, the secretary said the chief engineer, of the Railway Department and the engineer of the Harbour Board had agreed as to the share and responsibilities of each body for this work. This agreement will be placed before the Minister of Railways and the Harbour Board for their confirmation. Once the proposals are approved by the departments concerned, ' plans for the construction of the wall can be drawn and tenders called.

“If it is the policy of the Government ■ tq push on with this work,” the report added, “there is no apparent reason why it should not be started in six months from date, and completed* in three years, and the new* railway station started then. There will be difficulties in the way of material, etc., but the work is of the greatest urgency, and if the Minister wills to push on' with it, these difficulties can# be easily overcome, as they have been in other ports of the dominion.”

The old town of Liverpool (N.S.W.), v which recently celebrated its centenary, haa borne an enviable reputation for religious tolerance in all the churches, but recently the advent of a gospel missioner, who held services in a large tent in the town, haa provoked the wrath of the “orthodox” Churches (says the Svdney £h*ning News). The* missioner is credited with proselytising among the members of the various churches, and a . house campaign on behalf of the Seventh Day Adventists. The missioner appears to be a very able speak&r, with 'that gift of hypnosis that renders the professional evangelist’s efforts so temporarily successful in drawing crowds, and upsetting dogmas. A

district campaign has unsettled the placid religious situation, and caused unrest among the Protestant bodies, who have been working so harmoniously up till tha present ripie. The situation became so

acute that a public meeting was held in the Liverpool Town Hall last week, at which the Church of England, Methodist,

Presbyterian, Baptist, and Salvation Army sects met to deal with the intruder. It was

hoped that the Roman CathdKc Church would also be represented, but the parish

priest did not attend

The Church of Eng-

land vicar presided, and a lively discussion

ensuod, during which the Gospel missioner, who was present, admitted the soft impeachment of proselytism, house to house visits, etc., and stated that that was nothing to what he intended doing. He also criticised the Roman Catholic Church,

and it is now expected that that body will* launch its thunderbolt against the mis-

guided newcomer Meanwhile, local friendships between the respective Saturday and Sunday worshippers have been dissolved, and Satan smiles in his saturnine mannes

while professing Christians bicker.

A first offender for drunkenness was fined 10s by Mr N. Dodds, J.P., in the Pori) Chalmers Court yesterday.

The committee who are making the arrangements for the Drivers’ Picnic, to bo held at Evansdale to-morrow, report that all preparations have been made, and that the prize list of the adults’ races exceeds all expectations. The children are to be well provided for; toys and sweets have been purchased in plenty. Given a fine day, this outing to Evansdale should be freely patronised. The prize money in connection with the annual meeting of the Napier Motor Racing Club,, to be held at Easter, has been increased to nearly £2OO. The large prize money should prove a great attraction for motor cycle riders. The official programme will be published shortly. ' Impossible to pass a 7-9 Harley-Davidson motor cycle on the road. Buy one of these machines yourself, and be first on the road. W. A. Justice and Co., Otago Agents, 293 Princes street, Dunedin.—Advt. For the weekly family wash use six ounces of the pure Golden Rule Oocoanut Oil Soap with one small packet No Rubbing Laundry i Help. This is the most popular and effective recipe for washing all clothes perfectly clean.—Advt.

100 ladies’ moirette underskirts in every shade, including black, being sold at Mollisons, George street, Dunedin, at 14s lid each—usually 21s each.—Advt. We regard all grocers as esteemed shareholders in the “world-lifting” enterprise, (now operating throughout New Zealand). * who specialise in the pure golden rule soap, in beautiful pictorial cartons, and . sell at la 6d or Is 7d.—Advt. A. E. J. Blakelev. dentist. Bank of Australasia, corner of Bond and Rattray streets (next Telegraph Office) Telephone 1858. Advt.

Here’s r,. paradox Watson’s No. 10 is A 1 whisky.—Advt., <■' , Choice Jewellery.— Largo selection diamond rings, watches, brooches, pendants, and silverware. Compare our values. — Peter Dick, jewellers, 490 'Moray pJiaoo>—AdH,