THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1923. THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19047, 18 December 1923, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1923. THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

The reference which General Smuts made at Johannesburg to European affairs is merely of a general nature and explanatory, in a sense, respecting his notable utterance in London on the subject in October last. Despite the ridiculous suggestion of General Hertzog that General Smuts had gone the right way to work in that speech to foment European war, he undoubtedly enhanced his reputation as a far-seeing statesman in speaking out as he did on the reparations question, and be surely takes a view with which all can agree in suggesting that a healthy and wellinformed public opinion in all countries is the first requisite for a better order of things. It was an uncommon tribute which the Observer paid to General Smuts when it said in reference to his speech in London : “The result car. never he wiped out. As a decisive act of faith and courage it was a landmark in post-war history. As an expression of mind and conviction it came to millions of men aud women in this country and elsewhere like an emancipation and deliverance of their own souls. They breathed better air. They knew that a light had been kindled which can never be put out: and that cue of those moral impulses had been started which all the lower forces on earth can never suppress.” While Mr Garvin’s enthusiasm has carried him far, the speech was certainly calculated to make people think General Smuts drew a striking picture of the post-war situation which had been permitted to develop in Europe, and urged the necessity of a comprehensive settlement now, with some measure of finality about it, as against the alternative of letting the situation drift and develop “until it brings about its own horrible nemesis and shakes and shames the conscience of the whole world into action.” He summed up heavily against the policy of Franco in the Ruhr, and laid stress upon the view of experts that not only would the occupation yield no payments, but that it must render the payment of reparations impossible. His graphic exposition of the difficulties aud dangers a.ssociated with the situation constituted a weighty basis for an eloquent appeal for the convocation of a great conference of the Powers concerned in the condition of Europe. To quote his words, “It is a business for principals, not for agents.” The British Government would be very pleased to look at the matter in that light, and so would the American Government. France is, however, the pivot upon which any endeavour to tackle the problem in that manner must depend. M. Poincare no doubt duly noted the utterances of General Smuts, but he showed no signs of being visibly affected by them. At the time when the South African statesman was making his appeal to public opinion Lord Curzon was in communication with the Government of the United States respecting the plan of creating an international commission of exports, on the linos of the earlier proposals of Mr Hughes, with a view to an impartial examination of Germany’s capacity to pay. But American interest in the plan subsided visibly in the face of French insistence upon conditions and qualifications depriving it of its salient features. It seemed probable that the French requirement that any committee of financial experts must act under the Reparations Commission would wholly wreck the proposals. Fortunately, however, M. Poincare seems te have been able to satisfy President Coolidge that the United States can bo represented on such a committee with the assurance that it will have free scope for its inquiries, and that its labours will be important. Great Britain and the Powers generally, except France, have hitherto recognised it to be almost a matter of necessity that the United States should lend assistance in the handling of tno European problem. The prospect that at least in a measure American co-operation in this connection

is going; to be secured, and that the representatives of the Powers are to make a joint appraisement of the situation, is highly welcome after a long year of French occupation of German territory enuring which, from month to month, the position has seemed, amid interminable wranglings about reparations, only to go from bad to worse. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Chronicle may be going too far in stating that “M. Poincare's long period of passive resistance has ended.” But considerable significance is to be attached to the fact that representatives of the German Government have been accorded interviews with M. Poincare and the Belgian Foreign Minister respectively. That does suggest that Prance is going to hear Ger-. many’s case. The end of passive resistnee in the Ruhr may possibly be pointed to as a reason for a modification of M. Poincare’s policy. We would like to think that there is ground for detecting some concession on the part of France to Anglo-American opinion. General Smuts expresses the view of many when he suggests that in Anglo-American cooperation lies the main hope of the world in the present international chaos. Unmistakable signs of a clearing European sky would be the most welcome greeting which the New Year could bring to half the world.

THE WEST COAST EXHIBITION. The residents of Westland are to be congratulated upon the steps which they have taken to celebrate at once the diamond jubilee of their provincial district and the establishment of a closer connection between the West Coast and the East Coast of this island. By the Exhibition, which is now being held at Hokitika, they aim at conveying to visitors an impression of the varied resources of their -district. The West Coast has, like some other portions of New Zealand, emerged definitely from one phase of development into ‘another. Its early history was associated with the pursuit of gold. The “rush” that was caused by the discovery of gold brought into existence several thriving towns, filled with a bustling population. These were stirring days on the Coast. Diggers flocked thither, and with them large numbers of people of the class that follow every “rush.” Hokitika became, and remained for several years, a first port of call for steamers engaged in the trade between Australia and New Zealand. Some of the towns that were centres of activity during the time when gold was the principal product of the West Coast have declined now into mere shadows of their former selves. But others have sprung into being through the development of coalmining, which is to-day the chief industry of the West Coast and one of considerable importance to the dominion and oven to the Empire. The future welfare of the district demands, however, that other industries of permanent value shall be fostered and maintained. Fortunately Westland possesses a considerable area of land that is well adapted for dairy-farming. Whether the area is sufficiently extensive to admit of this industry providing a livelihood for a large population may ho doubtful, but it is certainly a more extensive area than it is generally supposed to. be by persons who are not acquainted with the district. The timber resources of the West Coast constitute one of its chief assets, the careful administration of which is highly necessary. We have gathered that the policy of the Forestry Department is regarded with a good deal of disfavour in some quarters in Westland. This seems, however, to be the outcome of a conflict between private interests and the interests of the State. ‘ There is no reason why, under judicious control, the timber resources of the West Coast should not be a permanent source of large revenue, as’ we believe they will he. Other industries than those which wo have mentioned should spring up now that the comparative isolation of Westland is a thing of the past. The district was subjected to serious disabilities so long as it was cut off more or loss from direct and rapid communication with the more largely settled portions of the dominion. An important result, also, which should attend the establishment of railway communication between Christchurch and Greymoubh should be the encouragement in an increasing measure of tourist traffic to the district, enjoying, as it does, the special attraction of the exceptionally accessible Franz Josef glacier. The piercing of the.Otira tunnel has opened up a new era for Westland, and we hope it may he an era of extensive and growing prosperity for the district.