The Otago Witness WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1523.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3618, 17 July 1923, Page 40

The Otago Witness WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, JULY 17, 1523.) THE WEEK.

•Nnnqnam aliiid natura, at’.ud sapicnlia dixit." —JCVENII.. •'Good nature and good 6ecse must ever jom. *“• VOPA Mr Stanley Baldwin’s statement in the House of Commons with Mr Baldwin and reference to the c l' uest^ ol ? Reparations, reparations was awaited with considerable anticipation ; it proved to be exactly of the nature anticipated —the plain words of a careful and cautious business man. Despite the uncompromising attitude cl France, Mr Baldwin is hopeful of being able to reach an agreement, and this mainly because the ami which Britain lias in view is “the pacification of Europe and the recovery of an exhausted w orld. The Prime Minister was careful at tne outset of his statement to emphasise Britain's determination tnat Germany shall pay reparations to the utmost of her capacity, an assurance which ought to go far to answer the criticism levelled bv the ! reneh press against Britain s attitude. Coupled, however, with this expression of determination was an i m_ portant qualification —viz., that if '-* er_ many be asked to pay in excess of her capacity it would mean the ruin of (*ermany, “which would be fatal to Great Britain and to Europe." If, therefore, there exists a section of the politicians and the press of France who will rest satisfied with nothing short of the absolute ruin of Germany, they may well take pause at Mr Baldwin’s words since there can be no hone of a settlement in which Britain may* participate which spells German ruin. Mr Baldwin proceeded to point out that the effect of the occupation of the Ruhr had been to reduce the amount received by France for reparations so that the smaller sum received was being paid “at the cost of the dislocation and the probable collapse of the German economic system. A\ bile the German statement must necessarily be accepted with a degree of reservation, the mere affirmation that at the end of six months occupation of the Ruhr the total strength of the French and Belgian armies was 87.0C0 men, and this, in addition to an army of 97.CC0 men in the old occupied area, gives ground for serious reflection. The cost of an armv of occupation approximating to 200,000 men, both to the countries supplying them and to the nation sustaining them, must be enormous indeed. Moreover, the very existence of such a huge army of occupation precludes all idea of permanent peace. In Mr Baldwin’s words, “The indefinite occupation hv one country of the territory of another country in time of peace was a phenomenon rare and regrettable in itself, to which an honourable end should as soon as possible be found.” Mr Baldwiu is convinced that this honourable end will not be found in France's persistence in her present policy, more especially since all the misgivings of Britain regarding the conseauenees of the Ruhr occupation had been largely realised. At the same time the Prime Minister was profoundly sympathetic with France, and he declared that the British Government was concerned for the maintenance of goodwill among the Allies. Mr Baldwin made it very plain that, so far from Britain desiring to deprive France and Belgium of their legal claims, the British Government is anxious to assist in the realisation of these claims. “We are determined,” he reiterated, “that Germanv shall make reparation for the damage done in the Great War, and to the fullest extent of her capacity. We have never wavered on this point, and I do not believe that the people ever will. Indeed, we are ready to use every measure to compel Germanv to pav up to the amount of her capacity.” With a view to a settlement, Mr Baldwin proposes to explore the German Note in order to discover whether it contains the germs of a practicable arrangement. To this end the British replv will he framed; its tenor and the attitude of the German Government towards it will be the next moves in the diplomatic game. There seems to he no end to the Turkish question ; the Lausanne Lausanne and Conference has been sitting Turkey. for the last eight months in an endeavour to adjust matters in dispute between Turkey and the Allied Powers, and with Greece and Soviet Russia endeavouring to make their voices heard. Hardly has the ink dried on the announcement of a settlement having been reached than word comes that Tsmet Pasha has astounded the Lausanne Conference by a peremptory demand that the Allied Fleet shall leave Turkish waters simultaneously with the departure of the land forces. It would seem that Ismet, rendered covetous by the liberal concessions agreed to bv the Conference in order to secure a settlement, has now overstepped the mark. The British High Commissioner has pointed out in reply that, while the fleet lias been considerably reduced, it is necesearv that the Powers keep several cruisers in the Straits for the present, since the new regime does not fullv operate until the Conference decisions have been ratified by the contracting Powers. To this appeal Ismet lias remained immovable, and a deadlock has been the result. According to the

Constantinople correspondent of The Times, the Angora Government shows signs of reacting against the decisions r.i I Lausanne, and the statement has been made that peace will be signed only when the outstanding Turkish demands are satisfied, one of these demands being immediate evacuation. This hardly bears out the opinion expressed by the Lausanne correspondent of the Daily Express that “Ismet has every reason for cheerfulness, the Allies having gone to the limit of generosity in order to secure peace in the Near East.” This backing and filling is quite in keeping with Turkish tradition; indeed, the continuance of the Turkish Empire, after its unsavoury and dishonourable record, is a tribute to the tenacity of purpose which characterises the Sublime Porte and of which Ismet Pasha possesses a full share. The manner in which the time cf the Conference has been occupied is indicated in the statement that the Turkish Government suggested nearly a hundred amendments in the 160 articles of the draft treaty, besides asking for modifications in 17 of the 20 articles of the commercial convention and in 20 of the 26 articles for the regime I of foreigners in Turkey. And when, after due consideration of all these amendments and modifications, a settlement had been reached and agreed upon, the whole matter is brought to a deadlock by this demand for immediate evacuation. Verily there is no end to the Turkish question. The two Oppositions have had a particularly thankless task m The Budget attempting an effective Bc'jatc. criticism of the Financial Statement presented to Parliament by Air Massey. The Prime Minister was fortunate in being able to report an elastic revenue which enabled him to make substantial remissions in taxation as well as the lightening of the Customs tariff in some important directions, the whole representing the contribution made by the Government towards the ultimate of a pre-war cost of living. In attempting to criticise such a Budget, Mr Wilford in particular found himself hoist with his own petard ; his pre-election programme embraced the expenditure of millions of money on schemes of hydroelectric development, roads and bridges construction, comprehensive housing schemes, bonuses for persons with families, invalids, and pensioners, a semi-State-shipping service, and other allied enterprises. In addition, Air Wilford lent his support to an amendment to the Address-in-Beply involving a readjustment of wages and salaries equivalent to an extra half million of expenditure. On the top of all this Mr Wilford has given it as his opinion that the Customs duties are too high and should be reduced; at the same time he is opposed to borrowing or to extra taxation. In the exceedingly unlikely—and may we say unhappy —circumstance of Mr Wilford succeeding Mr Alassey as Afinister of Finance, it will be pertinent to inquire how the Leader of the Opposition proposes to balance the Public Accounts. He ridicules the idea of a “Wizard of Finance” being necessary to direct the affairs of the country,. but, in the absence of the services of such a magician, it is to be feared that Air Wilford’s amateurish efforts would speedily ruin the splendid credit which the Dominion has in the Homeland at the present time. And whatever damage Air Wilford did not do, it might safely be left for Mr Holland to accomplish. Amid the dreary platitudes and pointless criticism of the Opposition speakers in the financial debate, the average man will be able to reflect with some thankfulness that Mr Alassey still holds the reins of Government. The fact that not only has the Dominion emerged with credit from the serious financial impasse which at one lime threatened to engulf it, speaks volumes for the ability with which its affairs have been conducted. Moreover, the easy terms on which Air Massey is able to get all the money be needs for tire renewal of loans and for the prosecution of essential works cf development is another tribute to the same ability. In the face of these facts it is well nigh impossible for either Mr Wilford or Air Holland or their followers to frame any indictment against the Government which will carry weight with sensible people.

A huge slip of boulders and debris has dammed the Taieri River, the water being held back for a distance of nearly a quarter of a mile. The slip, which is on the opposite side of the river to the railway, is about a mile on the westward side of Hindon. The estimates of the Otago Hospital Board for the year 1923-24 have been approved by the Minister of Health. The sum obtainable in rates from local bodies is £35,C00, the Government providing £31,320. The committee in charge of the Taieri Fallen >Soldiers’ Memorial Fund has now let a contract to Alessrs 11. S. Bingham and Co., of Dunedin, for the erection of the monument which will be placed in the park fronting Gordon road, Alosgiel. It will be a handsome structure, 34ft; high, of blue stone, with a. cross of white carraia marble on the front face and surmounted with a bronze sacrificial urn emblematical of the sacrifice made bv the heroes who fell m the war. and whoso names will be engraved on marble slabs on the four sides of the base of the column. An early start is to he made with the work, and the monument is to be ready for unveiling next Armistice Day. The committee invites parents or relatives of soldiers from Alosgiel and surrounding districts who fell in the war to send in the names of the fallen to the Mayor of Alosgiel. An Ashburton Press Association message says that farmers who havo been consulted regarding the wheat supply declare that 6s 4d guarantee recommended by the Christchurch Conference will not ensure normal sowings of wheat. An extensive shortage next harvest is certain.

The honorary medical staff has reported ! to the Otago Hospital Board that the scope I of the radium and X-ray department should be enlarged so that local cases, and those from other parts of the dominion, can be treated. The staff recommends the launching of a fresh appeal for funds fer additional equipment and accommodation, which it is suggested will require £SOOO in the way of contributions, bringing the total amount, with the Government subsidy, to £11,250. The staff mentions that (he St. John Ambulance and the Red Cross Societies have expressed their willingness to arrange for a campaign to collect the required funds. The Hospital Committee cf the board recommends fho confirmation of the principle of establishing a radium institute when funds are available. The Alexandra Technical School will make a start shortly with its cookery classes (reports our correspondent). The fact that a lip-reading class for adults is held : n the First Church social hall every Wednesday evening is not as wellknown as one would expect. Instruction in the art of lip-reading is given by Airs D. A. Thomson, and those vbo have attended regularly have derived much benefit from the instruction. Tt is said that learning the art of lip-reading is merely a matter j of perseverance and practice, in conjunction with the necessary instruction, and that its acquisition confers a boon on those afflicted with deafness. The class is carried on under the supervision of Mr J. M. B. Crawford, director of the School for the Deal, Sumner. Dr Colin Anderson, of the Royal Infirmary, Manchester, has intimated to the Otago Hospital Board his acceptance of the position of radiologist at, the Dunedin Hospital, provided lie is allowed his travelling expenses from England. He states that be could reach here in January next. The committee of the board recommends that Dr Anderson be offered £IOO towards his travelling expenses, provided lie undertakes to remain in the board’s service for two years. The frost is causing the railway authorities some trouble up the Otago Central, and for the past few days the filling of engine boilers with water has been attended with some difficulty. The tanks between Cromwell and Rnnftirly, owing to the frozen condition of their contents, have not. been producing a free supply for the engines, and some slight delay in the despatch of trains has been experienced. Engine trouble delayed the 10.15 a.m. train to Port Chalmers on Friday for about half an hour. A cony of the Otago Witness with illustrations connected with the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Otago Settlement was sent by Mr G. J. Jeffery (Messrs Williamson Jeffery, Ltd., Dunedin) to Air A. Cattanach. export manager cf Messrs Alex. Cowan and Sons, Ltd., London,* an old Edinburgh man. In a communication from Mr Cattanach acknowledging receipt of the paper he wrote: “it was exceedingly interesting to look over the progress made in the last lew years in Dunedin. I think anyone coming from Edinburgh to Dunedin would find themselves very much at home in the names of the streets, but in looking it. over there are one of two old streets which you do not seem to have had places to name after —namely, Cowgate, Canongate, Westport, and Grassmarket; but perhaps there are districts which the folks wanted to forget. Ido not see why they should.” For the information of Air Cattn.nach if may be mentioned that there is a Canongate in Dunedin. Cows were scarce in Dunedin 75 years ago when streets were named and Grassmarket would have been regarded as a misnomer in those early days. If we have no Westport we have West Harbour. Sir John Peters, a well-known British banker, who has a thorough grasp of interEmpire finance, is reported by the Vancouver Sun as having slated that the oversubscription of New Zealand’s £4,0&0,'000 4 per cent, loan on the British market showed that there was still a large volume of money available for fixed investments. This loan, he said, was the first carrying so low a rate of interest put out since the war. When asked about the probability of Canada getting an over-subscription of a loan on the British market at a low rate of interest. Sir John stated that it was possible, but he doubted the ability of Canada to get a low rate or as good treatment as New Zealand, as the British capital already invested in Canada has not received the same protection here as in New Zealand. “British investors do not ask a very high rate for their money, but they want to feel secure in their investment,” said the banker. During a discussion at the Christchurch Presbytery on Wednesday on the question of chaplains’ visits to patients in hospital, one; of the ministers said that if all patients had been visited as he Lad while in hospital, there would be no need to appoint a chaplain for the work. “We ministers must be looked upon as something better than the average man, or as particularly hard cases,” said the speaker. “One day no fewer than seven ministers visited tne in hospital. Weil, I survived that, and when I got better .” Here (reports the Press) the speaker’s further remarks were lost in the laughter of his fellow members of the Presbytery. About 25 years ago Air A. G. Saxby (who was killed in the Ongarue railway smash), together with Air F. W. Triggs and Dr Sweet, swam out some distance into the sea off the Marine Parade, Napier, in an effort to rescue the late Air Bright Cooper, who was attacked by a shark, and died as his gallant rescuers brought mill ashore. The late Air Cooper yvr,s a powerful swimmer, and had gone out some considerable distance when he was attacked by a monster shark. The late Air Saxby and his companions at once went to the rescue in spite of the frightful danger, and succeeded in bringing Air Cooper to the shore, where he died from the frightful injuries received. It was an incident that deserved greater recognition than was made at the time, and indicated the real pluck of the rescuers.

A curious warfare inis been going on for some years, and is still going on, between the roses of Bulgaria and the roses of France (says the Children’s Newspaper). The reason is that the Bulgarian roses, hitherto the chief source of the perfume known as otto of rose, now have a rival in the roses of France. Otto of rose, one of the rarest and most costly of perfumes, is made by distilling the essential oil from rose petals. This oil. or, as it is called, otto, is a wonderful example of Nature’s chemistry, and is known to contain over 30 different constituents, each of which contributes a certain quality to tbe perfume. Some of these are in such minute quantities as almost to defy analysis, and there are still some elements of the otto awaiting discovery. The complicated nature of otto of rose makes it impossible to reproduce it artificially, though many attempts have been made to do so. Until recently it was thought, rliat no otto of rose could compare with that made from the Bulgarian flowers, and Bulgaria supplied practically the whole world with the perfume. Feeling secure against competition, however, she traded on her reputation, and in recent years began to export adulterated otto of rose. Meanwhile France, a country famous for its perfumes, determined to make otto of rose that would be as good, if r.ot better than, the Bulgarian product. The first step was taken by the rose-growers, who took possession of all the best and most, suitable districts of the South of France, where they set to work to cultivate roses rich m oil. with a strong and beautiful perfume, which bloom over a long period. Seme idea of how precious the otto is may be gained from the fact that it takes two or three tons of flowers to make a quart of otto. Air Frank Stewart Robbie, who was lost in the bush at Shannon for four days last week, being discovered last Friday suffering severely from the effects of exposure, is now making satisfactory progress towards recovery (states the Manawatu Standard). He went out on Alondav morning . last to secure a wild pig which he and his brother had killed in the bu-h on the ranges the previous day. “I did not get the pig,” said Air Robbie, “but went with the dog af(er another one, which I killed shortly afterwards. A dense fog settled down, and when I set out for home I could not get my bearings, as the sun was obscured. Consequently. I lost my way ’ Continuing his narrative, Air Robbie said that, added to the ordinary dangers of being “bushed,’’ w*ere the disabilities of the extreme cold, the thick blanket of fog which rendered the visibility nil, and the wetness of the undergrowth. Tbe locality where he lost his way was only a little below the snowline, and snow fell also in the bush during the time when he was endeavouring to make his way out. The country also is very rough in this locality, and in places the undergrowth is very thick, rendering progress slow and most difficult. On Alondav, Wetfnesday, Thursday, and Friday I kept on in an endeavour to reach the open,” said Air Robbie, “but on the Tuesday f did not move, it was so wet. Each night I slept in the bush, and it was Thursday before I got my bearings and could definitely strike out for the open country. There were pigeons in the bush, but I had no gun. and it was impossible in any ease to make a fire. On the Friday morning I was crawling up a slope very slowly, when the searchers found me.” Thirteen bankruptcies were notified in the latest issue of the New Zealand Gazette. Eleven of them, involving 13 persons, were in the North Island. The isolation of many of the people of the country districts of Australia is shown by a letter which has just come to ’and from one of the New Zealand bowlers who is over there just now. On one of their journeys they travelled ICO miles by motorcars, in what proved to be a cold snap, and when they got to their destination, quite numbed with the cold, they had immediately to start and play. Alost of them were shivering half the time. At Glen Innes they also found the weather very cold. The teams have got. completely knocked out. at times, and needed rest, instead of play. Instead of the tour being a nice, enjoyable holiday, most of them are weary, and many of them have been down and out. The teams were glad to get to Brisbane, and when the last letters were written not many of them, except ihe always courageous few, were anxious to go on much further. Alost of the party have been impressed as they got further north with what they saw of the cotton plantations, where the plants were thriving well. The trip, however, from Newcastle up the northern rivers ecu Id not be classed a success, chiefly because of the cold weather prevailing. “Our own Title dominion takes a lot of beating” is the opinion expressed by many of the howlers.

The Otago Institute's Astronomical Observatory was packed on Saturday otening, when Air E. Christian gave a short explanatory address on “Saturn and His Rings.” illustrating his remarks by diagrams and direct telescopic views of the planet. He drew attention to the physical characteristics of Saturn, its low density, and its high temperature, also its rapid rotation. The rings could not be followed, for, if so. the complication of forces operating would inevitably displace and disrupt them. Really they consisted of swarms of small bodies moving in an independent orbit, a view naturally being discerned by a spectroscope. The revolution of the planet round the sun took rather over 29 years owing to its distance, and one effect of the revolution was that a varying face of the rings was presented to our view. The edges of the rings were so thin as to become invisible. Ten known satellites accompanied the planet. Many of the visitors present viewed the rings through the telescope, and much interest was manifested, although the condition of the atmosphere was not very favourable. Jupiter, with its cloud-bolts and satellites, was also shown, as well as the star cluster in the constellation Toucan, which latter gave some revelation of the depth of space.

j 9 here is still a great deal of water on i the Taieri Plain from Otokia southwards, j Hie process of natural drainage is always j slow on the plain, and tile lengthy spell of I sunless weather has not facilitated evapora- | Lon. In fact, the frequent falls of rain have j more than balanced the quantity that has I escaped m this way. The depth of the water varies from 18 to 40 inches.

The killing season at the New Zealand Refrigerating Company’s works at Burnside closed on Saturday. Owing to the unsatisfactory fattening season and the bad weather the output was about 40.000 sheep and lambs short of the figures for last season, which was a particularly good one. The output at Burnside was below normal this season, and this will probably be the case with the other South Island refrigerating works.

In connection with the July celebrations, the Loyal Orange Institution of New Zealand, No. 3 District, held Divine service in the Early Settlers’ Hall on Sunday afternoon. Bro. \Y. Taylor, D.G.AI., presided over an attendance of more than 200 Orangemen end their friends.