THE OATGO DAILY TIMES FRIDA Y. JUNE SO, I SJ. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19203, 20 June 1924, Page 4

THE OATGO DAILY TIMES FRIDA Y. JUNE SO, I SJ. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS.

The MacDonald Government characteristically took the line of least resistance in regard to the Preference resolutions of the Imperial Conference. The speech delivered by the Secretary of State for the colonies’ in the early stage of the debate on Tuesday indicated a withdrawal from the somewhat militant position assumed a few months ago. It may be incidentally noticed that the Government has thought fit to reconsider its negative decision respecting the establishment of a permanent Econom'c Committee, though it would prefer the creation of a body ‘‘ something like ” the present Shipping Board. This suggestion, about which the dominions are be consulted, might form the basi of a useful agreement. Concerning the preferential resolutions the Government, while maintaining its own hostile attitude, left the matters to a free vote of the House, —more insistent tactics might have been futile,—and promised to accept the verdict. Mr Thomas, not for the first time, urged that the Im perial Conferences should be attended y the responsible leaders of Opposition in the dominions as well as by the Prime Ministers. The proposal, though it should not be hastily dismissed as impracticable, is obviously fraught with serious difficulties. How would the Colonial Secretary define the qualifying status of a responsible leader of Opposition ? In regard to New Zealand, for instance, given a continuance of present political conditions, would both Mr Wilford and Mr Holland accompany Mr Massey to London ? or would exclusive preference be given to the leader of that Opposition section which had a slight preponderance of numerical strengtli in Parliament? The same crux would present itself in some other dominions. It is conceivable that half-a-dozen allegedly responsible Opposition leaders in a single country might claim that their voices should be heard in the councils of the Empire. It is certain that the character of the Imperial Conference would be materially changed, for good or for ill, if Mr Thomas’s idea were to bo carried into effect. The discussions might be more searching and more lively, but it is not easy to see how the inevitable intrusion of acutely controversial elements would further the realisation of the Colonial Secretary’s desire that “ more should he done.” Air Ramsay MacDonald, though he is only the leader of a parliamentary party, would scarcely think of asking Mr Baldwin and Air Asquith to complete a trio with him in representing Britain at a European Conference. The analogy may not be perfect,—few analogies are,—but certainly it is difficult to find a practical alternative to the principle that the public representation of a country must rest with the leader of the Executive for the time being. At the same time the question may be regarded as open, and it has to bo admitted that the existing system of Conference representation occasionally engenders friction in oversea Parliaments.

The debate in the House of Commons, to which two days were allotted, and which does not seem to have been marked by any novel illumination, has resulted in a refusal, by the very narrow majority of six, to confirm the preferential policy of the Imperial Conference. It is true that the vote related only to the first of the resolutions, dealing with the not very momentous matter of dried fruits; but it appears to be understood that this initial decision will bo taken as at least temporarily conclusive. Even if the advocates of preference were to snatch a nominal victory in regard to the other resolutions they would hardly thereby bo strengthening their cause. In matters of this kind, decisions recorded by very small majorities, one way or the other, cannot be permanently satisfactory. Confirmation of any of the resolutions by six votes err so would not be better or worse, according to the

point of view, than Wednesday’s rejection. Besides, if the House of Commons is unwilling to authorise a preferential duty on dried fruits, it would not be likely to look favourably upon more farreaching proposals. The figures of tho division —278 votes to 272—may be taken to indicate that the Conservatives generally favoured the adoption of the Conference recommendations, and that they wore joined by an appreciable number of Liberals. A very few Labour votes may have been cast in the same direction ; but an overwhelming majority of the Labourites and perhaps three-fourths of tho Liberals will have rallied round what Mr Asquith has styled ’’ the battlestained but gloriously triumphant banner of Free-trade.” We are strongly disposed to discountenance tfbe notion (which is too likely to be circulated with mischievous effect in some quarters) that this decision of tho House of Commons involves a “ rebuff " to the oversea dominions. Propaganclism of this kind can only increase the friction which it professedly seeks to remove. The Imperial and the dominion Parliaments are alike free to adopt or to disclaim the resolutions of the Imperial Conference, and it seems to us that this right cannot be too jealously conserved. Tho preferentialists are rather too prone to assume that they possess a monopoly of patriotic feeling, and to forget that the question has two sides. There was something more than plausibility—there was at least food for impartial thought—in Sir John Simon’s reminder that “ there was all the difference in the world between the Preference which Britain was urged to grant the dominions and that which they had granted her, as tho dominions’ preference was a preference in a market which was already protected, while Britain’s preference meant the abandonment of a principle upon which her trade had boon built up.” There is ground for difference of opinion re garding Sir John Simon’s subsequent remark that preference, instead of pro raoting Imperial unity, would be likely to create acute discord ; but even that is a theory which deserves dispassionate consideration.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTIONS, The results of the general elections in South Africa reflect the keenness of the phase of the party struggle for power that was entered upon when General Smuts sought a dissolution of Parliament in April last. In announcing the dissolution the Prime Minister said that the Government was doubtful whether it still enjoyed the confidence of the country, and that a mere parliamentary majority was not sufficient for it, as it was dealing with questions of policy which only a Government enjoying the confidence of the country in addition to the confidence of Parliament should underfake. The bold expedient which General Smuts adopted with a view to resolving his doubts was perhaps more calculated to be of service to his politi cal opponents than to capture the imagination of the country in the face of strongly established counter-influences The election campaign has been characterised bv heat and bitterness. General Smuts and his supporters have done their best to enlighten the people of South Africa respecting the significance of the incongruous pact between the Nationalist and the Labour Parties and the menace involved in it as an instrument for the furtherance of a policy ol secession from the Empire. Despite, how ever, the confidence with which General Smuts referred a few days ago to the prospects of his party consequent upon what he regarded as a revulsion of popular feeling against the pact it is evident that the combined attack which was organised for the one purpose of bringing about the downfall of his Government has been particularly for amiable. So far as they are available the results of the polling make tins quite apparent, and the latest returns which we publish this morning indicate that the South African Party will find itself in a definite minority in the new House. It is apparent that the electors as a whole are not going to give the South African Party the mandate for which General Smuts made his appeal to the country. Prior to the dissolution the Government was working with a parliamentary majority of half a dozen, and it was not satisfied to carry on with that. In the light of the returns to hand its supporters will not entertain any hope of its being able to claim as a result of the elections that it has the confidence of the country. But neither the Nationalist nor the Labour Party has the slightest chance of securing a clear majority, though it is probable that in combination they will be able to command a working majority. Should thev bo required to form a Government, they will be confronted with a very solid Opposition, and the uneasy coalition of parties which have fundamentally very little in common, though imited in their hostility to General Smuts, may prove unequal to the strain put upon it. At the moment' speculation upon the elections cannot, perhaps, be usefully carried further. The outstanding feature of the polling as regards the individual contests is the personal defeat suffered by General Smuts in his constituency of Pretoria West. This result must come as a serious blow to the South African Party. The rejection by a small constituency in South Africa of a statesman with a record such as that of General Smuts, and a reputation such as ho has won within and beyond the Empire, has its ironic aspects. In intellectual calibre General Smuts has been recognised as the most brilliant among dominion Prime Ministers. At the Imperial Conference ho has cut a figure of peculiar distinction, while in the arena of international politics he has also made his mark. In his own South African electorate his gift of eloquence has not prevailed, however, against the undercurrent of party bias. It is difficult to think of South Africa without General Smuts as pilot, and it would be nothing less than a misfortune were a passing political reverse to lead to the loss of his services to his country and to the Empire.

Tiikue seems only too much reason to fear that the third British expedition that has been organised within the last four years for the conquest of Mount Everest will not fare better than its predecessors. The latest accounts from the expedition, stating’ that it had been beaten back to the base camp, were accompanied by the ominous information that there were many indications that the monsoon was breaking. Tile whole enterprise is a race against time. In 1923 tho monsoon was delayed. ‘Tt is evident, ’ wroto General

Bruce recently, ‘‘that had wo been on tho mountain last year we should have been under much more favourable conditions than was our lot the year before, and should have had more time in which to endeavour, to realise our ambition to reach the summit. For there is no doubt at all that this question of the monsoon is the most important factor in our success. At any rate so little time is available for operations that even an extension of one week may make all the difference between success and failure.” Concerning the debated question of the value of theattempt to conquer Everest, the lender of the expedition has observed; ‘Tt is possible that certain branches of science may benefit slightly from the experiences of the party, but the dominant note of the whole undertaking, first, last, and foremost, is a great adventure—almost now become a pilgrimage. Did we not explain to the great Lama of Rongbuk, the Sang Rimpoche, that it was for us an attempt to reach the highest point on earth as being the nearest to heaven?”

The first test cricket match between England and South Africa has resulted in a decisive victory for the Home Country—by an innings and 18 runs. The visitors started their tour in indifferent form and with all the disadvantages to which a largo spell of broken weather subjected them. They had none of the luck in this direction that attended the Australians on their last almost all-conquering visit to England. A couple of not very important victories were the only laurels encircling the brows of the South Africans when they .arrived at Birmingham for the crucial engagement. Up to lunchtime on the second day it looked as though tiiey wore doomed to' suffer a terrible, not to - rhs'Tacofiil. defeat. Defeated they have been, and severely defeated at that. But on Monday afternoon the prospect of an unprecedented debacle was transformed into the spectacle of a brave contest, the foregone conclusion of which cannot altogether havo destroyed the incidental interest. Tt is true that the 'South Africans will never forget their awful record-breaking score of 30 (with seven as, barring “extras.” the highest individual achievement), but on the other hand they are well entitled to plume themselves upon tho gallant and resourceful wav in which, in the second innings, they set themselves to confront a minority of runs. They made 390, only jnst failing to escape a defeat by an innings, and their batting in this uphill venture is described as “genuinely solid and as masterly as that of England.” There is no saying what might have happened if the South African captain, after winning the toss, had not made tho inexplicable mistake of sending his opponents in to hat on a wicket which was not likelv to prove particularly difficult; though no ■onsideration of “might have heens” can nuite obliterate the stigma of that record test score of 30.

Various works in connection with the New ’Zealand and South ocas Exhibition have transformed T.oernn Park into a scene of considerable industrial activity. Good pro-

wess has been made with the erection of Iwo buildings which will be used by the contractors for the erection of the Exhibition structure, and both should he completed ; n the 'course of a few days. Four twohorse teams, with ploughs and scoops, are "Igaijed in levc’bng- portion of the grounds near the quarry, and other workmen are tnployed in connection with drain acre onern--ons. Several men are busy putting down i double line of rails for the railway siding, and others arc engaged in the various ■derations necessary in preparation for the veclion of the buildings.

Major 801 l mote to the Education Board nstorday asking that the official naval reruiter. Master-at-arms C. W. Hutchings, ■vho is at present touring New Zealand on a mission connected with recruiting for the Royal Navy, should be granted permission o visit the schools, in Dunedin and speak o the upper standards. The board decided o grant the permission asked for. Hie local War Memorial Committee is xpecting daily to receive complete plana ■nd working specifications from Mr Glimmer. architect, Auckland. When these are eceived, the work will bo put in band and lenders will be called for. The fund subscribed for the memorial is now well over 17000, and the committee intends, in the icar future, to inaugurate a further effort, in an endeavour to raise the final sum required.

Judging by the preliminary arrangements -Iready well in hand the ceremony of turning the first soil for the New Zealand and outh Seas Exhibition is going to bo a nemorablo and impressive spectacle. De--1 ails wore considered, and many points de•ided at last night’s meeting of Exhibition Erectors. The ceremony is to take place on Saturday week, and will bo preceded by a procession through the city. Mr A. Barnett, reporting on arrangements proposed, scid that the procession would be an imposing one. All the bands of the city wore ■neeting that night and he could safely jay that their reply would bo favourable. The Salvation Army was also joining in. Ihe Motor Club would bo represented by a number of decorated cars, and tile school bands, and a number of decorated lorries would take part. The procession would bo good, but it would be quite insignificant compared with the ceremony pn the grounds, for which the contractors were making elaborate arrangements. At a later stage Mr Barnett introduced a deputation consisting of the contractors, Messrs Fletcher and Love, and the architect, Mr E. Ansccmbe, to discuss arrangements for the ceremony of turning the first soil. Mr Fletcher said they felt this ceremony could be made very effective, but certain preliminary arrangements wore required. There was at present no turning space at the Exhibition site, and they desired a circular roadway put in. They wished everyone with oars to take part in the procession, and they desired permission from the Harbour Board to cut the fence on the right in two places so that the ground might be used as a parking place. They wished to know how many people the platform would ho required to accommodate. If possible they desired to have s- service of water laid on and also a gas service. Mr Anscombo suggested that (he platform hold not fewer than 200. He proposed that a moving picture fdm of the procession he secured for advertising purposes in othe-r centres. The Chairman, Mr J. Sutherland Ross, said their thanks ’were greatly due to Mr Fletchci for the very energetic way in which he was talcing this matter up. He premised that the requests made would be taken up without delay and granted as far as possible. On the motion of Air W. R. Hayward it wa-s decided to adopt the plans proposed as far as practicable. A small committee was set up to arrange invitations to the ceremony, and it was decided to provide afternoon tea for the guests

A long-lived, hardy horse came under notice at the meeting of the Education Board yesterday when an application was icceived for permission to ran a horse free on a school ground. Tho applicant wrote, "tor the past 17 years my horse has been tied to tho pine trees in the school grounds, and so far as I know it has never been loose nor lias it done any damage.’’ ’it is the same horse all the time, too,” cheerfully added the secretary (Mr S. M. Park). It was decided to refer tho application to the school committee concerned. In the course of his address on ‘‘Law and Accountancy” before the Otago branch of the New Zealand Society of Accountants last night, Mr J. M. Paterson referred to (lie fact that, large sums were expended annually on education, but it was a difficult matter to spend the money wisely. .For instance, said the speaker, agriculture was included in the course to be taken by students in the Faculty of Commerce at die Otago University. What use was agriculture to a business man? —(Laughter.)

Tho disappearance of a 16-year-old boy against whom a charge of manslaughter had been made out, was. mentioned at the Auckland Police Court yesterday (says a Press Association message). It was stated that tho boy was in charge of a motor which collided with and fatally injured a widow name Kate Dowding in Karangahape road on May 17. Charges of driving a car without a license, negligently driving a car, and failing after the accident to stop and give his name and address were also preferred. The Magistrate issued a warrant for tho lad’s arrest. Publication of hie name w r as suppressed.

Tho Native Land Court will sit in the Supreme Court buildings on Tuesday, Juno 24- Judge Gilfeddor will preside.

A problem which had not yet been solved was referred to by Mr T. M. Paterson, M.A., LL.B., during his address on "Law and Accountancy” last night. Tho problem was that of theoretical ami practical know ledge. Ho said that in law it was quite possible for a student to secure his degree without over having drawn up a document It was also quite possible for a man to become an LL.B. even if he did not know' a bill of lading if he saw' it in his soup.(Laughter.) Students of accountancy wore in a somewhat similar position, but the,, had more actual practical experience as they w'erc trained in business houses. I most cases the graduates of the. Commercial Faculty at the Otago University had done, and were doing, quite well, but there were a number of men who had been brillian students, but who wore 'failures when the' commenced actual practice. The difficulty of education was to draw the mean between theoretical and practical knowledge. In the syllabus of both law and commerce far too little consideration was given to business methods, terms, and language of the present day, but tho problem was a. difficult one to solve because the remedies were encumbered with other ideas.

The Hamilton Rotary Club, after hearing the report of a committee set up to interview leading stock firms, decided (says a Press Association message), "That the Minister of Finance be asked to introduce legislation to enable local boards to be sot up in any district where there are numerous oases of hardship owing to the difficulties of farmer mortgagors, such boards to be on similar lines to the Efficiency Board set up during the war; that such boards alia (lave power to cite or compel the attendance of mortgagees and mortgagors in cases where they may be asked by either pai i to act, and in any other cases where thenmay, in the opinion of the board, be hardship suffered by any such farmers; that the functions of such boards lie to mane inquiries into the position, to give advice thereon to tho parties, and to act as mediator 'between mortgagees and mortgagors with a view to enabling farmers who are able to do satisfactory work on their farms to remain in possession; that such hoards shall have power to compel any mortgagee to appear, hut not to compel him to forgo any legal rights.” Several split bank notes have been circulated in Christchurch recently (says a Press Association message) mostly in the evening, when it is hard to detect the fraud. The system of rating upon unimproved values which lias been in vogue in Mosgiel for many years, has been a general, topic of conversation lately amongst the ratepayers (writes our correspondent).- Opinion is divider! whether the adoption of .

system has proved of any value. When it was adopted it was hoped that more im grovements to' unoccupied ground would lake place; but this has not been the < pcrienc© to any appreciable extent, while owners of farm lahd in the borough area have been paying pretty stiff rates, and in some cases receiving little or no benefit Homo ratepayers make 'the suggestion t an attempt should bo made to revert to the rating on the annual value. ' There are two sides to the question, and any such suggestion, if'taken seriously, would create a little war in the town. Still, sympathy is felt for many whom the shoe pinehc under the present system. Were it ■ sible, some exception or rebate to those hard hit might be a way out of the trouble Being on the outskirts of the town (and some of them in streets which the council has never taken over and cannot legall .’.pend money on), they cannot participate in the good streets and footpaths to be found in the centre of the borough. A resident of Westport who takes a keen interest in wheless broadcasting, had a nov. ; experience the other day. Having gained all the knowledge that it was possible to obtain from the stations in the vicinity of Westport, be took advantage of visiting a steamer which was in port with the late-ippl-anccs installed. He was so far in tercsted in the boat’s plant that he did not observe that the vessel was leaving th nort: until, she was-in the river. The steamc had to put back to avoid taking him on to the next port.

St. Helens Maternity Feme has been c' sed on account of the official notification of a case of puerperal sepsis (reports an Invercargill Pioss Association message). The recent appearance of cheques without the usual impressed twopenny stamp duty has caused certain of the business community to wonder whether or not.their bankers had made an error (remarks the Auckland Star). Hie position is that the stamp duty, though still payable at the rate of twopence per cheque, is no longer denoted by an impression on the cheque form, and persons handling cheques may accept unstamped cheques with confidence, that is so far ns tno stamp duty is concerned. The innovation is the result of suggestions made to the Government to expedite the issue of cheque forms. These had a habit of congregating by the million at the Stamp Department, in Wellington, for the purpose of having stamp duty impressed upon them before issue to the banks for distribution, to their customers. Under the now system, the banks collect the twopenny stamp as before and pay the amount over to the Government, and the Stamp Department is saved the very considerable labour of stumping each individual cheque. A rumour has been current for some days past that the slaughtering business of the city and suburbs was likely to bo undertaken by the Now Zealand Refrigerating Co. at Burnside. The idea was that this company would undertake the buying and slaughtering of stock and sell the dressed carcases to the butchers at a price to be agreed upon. The argument in favour o t the proposition was that the abattoirs at Burnside could be dispensed with, and a big saving in expense effected. The idea, however, has been rejected, the butchers being of the opinion that the scheme would not bo practicable. .

An important sonial function took place at Palmerston last night, under the auspices of the Manawatu A. ami P. Association {says a Press Association message), when the Governor-General, tho Prime Minister, and other distinguished visitors were present. Viscount Jellicoe intimated that ho might not bo leaving the dominion before the end of November, and he hoped to be able to attend the first Royal Show at Palmerston North, Mr Massey, in a eulogistic speech, paid a tribute to Lord Jellicoe for the valuable services rendered by him os Governor-General.

Returned soldiers suffering the effects of shell shock, etc., are offered treatment bv Phams during hig stay in Dunedin. Arrangements can bo made through b Returned Soldiers’ Association. A IS J It Jakelc-y, umiiM, Bank A Autralasiu, comer of Bond and Rattray vet* inest Telegraph Office). Telephone iOo'J.~ Advt.

Choice Jewellery; compare our values; largo selection diamond rings, watches breeders, silverware, etc.—Peter Dick, jewo. lers. 490 Moray place.—Advt.