The Otago Witness. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1930.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3957, 14 January 1930, Page 45

The Otago Witness. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1930.) THE WEEK.

“Nunquam allud natura, allud sapientia dixiu” —J U V EN A L. “Good nature and good ecnse muet ever join.”— POl'E.

Mr Davy’s Outburst.

The remarks made by Mr A. E. Davy,

chairman of the executive of the United Party, expressing his disappointninnt nt the Government’s

inent at tne Government s failure to do all that he promised on its behalf prior to the general election are interesting as confirming the impression that has been abroad for a considerable time that harmony is lacking in the ranks of the United'Party, and that grave dissatisfaction exists, which is shared by certain Ministers. A great deal of Mr Davy’s criticism is perfectly justified, for few people would suggest that e United Party has, in spite of the goodwill of the country, performed any great legislative services during its term in office. It is, however, an unfortunate commentary on political instability that a man should thus roundly and even vindictively condemn the party he helped to put in office, and agreement with Mr Daw's opinions is unlikely to inspire admiration of such outspokenness from a servant of the United Party. The most important part of Mr Davy’s criticism is his condemnation of the. three-party system in New Zealand, which our own experience, and that of all other con-stitutionally-governed States in tne world, has ‘proved to be accompanied by difficulties. At present, however, there does not appear to be any immediate prospect of reducing the number of political parties to two. and perhaps the most interesting development of Mi Davy's spirited intervention will be de cided within his own party.

A Royal Wedding.

The royal marriage that was celebrated last week in Rome lie-

tween Prince Humbert, heir to the Italian throne. and Princess

Marie Jose, daughter of the King of the Belgians, was a spectacular ceremony and turns the thoughts naturally to

fairy tales in which the brave prince and'the charming princess are united to “ live happily ever after.” The marriage in question is surrounded by all the glamour of a fairy tale, for Prince Humbert recently proved himself a gallant prince indeed when he did not 11 inch at the sound of a shot from a would-be assassin’s revolver, and Princess Marie Jose is reported to be both beautiful and good. As is so often the case with royal marriages, there attaches to the present alliance a diplomatic interest as well, as any step calculated to draw nations more closely together cannot be disregarded when the subject of international peace is so near everyone’s heart. In this instance Belgium, an absolute monarchy whose people are not free from Socialistic inclinations, has been linked with the laud wheie Fascism holds sway, and although the nature of the future responsibilities the princess will have to share with I rince Humbert are not easy to anticipate, it may be conjectured that Italy’s new connection with Belgium may react upon her domestic policy and on her relations with the neighbouring States.

Strenuous Days in the South.

There may be some cause for satisfaction among those who are

grumbling and speculating about the lateness of our summer in the fact

that down in Antarctica there are men who would consider even the worst New Zealand day a welcome change from the bleakness of their outlook. The frozen south appears to have been forced into revealing one of its closest secrets to Dr Larry Gould, of the Byrd Antarctie Expedition. Dr Gould is jubilant at the discovery of a piece of sandstone on Mount Nansen, and geologists and men of science the world over will share his enthusiasm, for the presence of sandstone in the Antarctic is an important contribution to our knowledge of the uncharitable land. Briefly, the significance of Dr Goulds discovery is in the fact that sandstone is a sedimentary rock formed in water, and as it was found on a mountain, that peak must at some time have been at the bottom of the sea. From this basis scientists will be able to form all sorts of interesting conclusions concerning the ancient history of Antarctica, and may succeed in establishing the relationship of the South Polar region with the vast continents of tlic world. Tliis liowcvcr is tlic scicn-

tist’s sphere, and even the angels would hesitate to tread with wild surmise in their field of conjecture. While Dr Gould has found what he came all the way to Antarctica to find, the Australian explorer, Sir Hubert Wilkins, has been far from idle, and has performed a service that should assist the cause of practical meteorology. The aeroplane has definitely taken its place in polar exploration, and none can say what discoveries may be made now that the land has been made, by lighter-than-air machines, comparatively accessible.

Mr Holland and Samoa.

The authorities at Apia and in New

Zealand are confronted with a very difficult problem in Western Samoa, and most people

will agree with the Prime Minister when he states that the Government would be failing in its duty if it did not now take the necessary steps to vindicate the law and preserve order in the territory. There is a new feeling of humanity abroad nowadays, and the idea of the

misguided members of the Mau having to be subdued by the menace —and the actuality, if need be—of armed forces is repugnant, but there is no other course open to the Administration, in view of recent developments, than to uphold authority with a definite assertion of power. The policy that the Administra-

tion has followed, and in pursuance of which the latest measures have been taken, including the despatching of a cruiser to the vicinity, has been approved by the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations, and it could not be suggested that any counsel coming from Geneva would err on the side of harshness. It is particularly annoying, therefore, to find the Leader of the Labour Party continuing his wordy, illconsidered campaign against the Government’s attitude in regard to the Mandate. Mr Holland naturally has no love for either a Reform or a United Party Government, and one expects to find him spending his powers of invective in belittling their parliamentary records, but in the matter of Samoa Mr Holland would have done better to remain silent. Sentimental talk about the psychology of the Samoans and “ our general policy of repression, banishment, and deportation, and the dishonouring of promises

made to the Samoans ” does not affect sane-thinking people in New Zealand, but idle talk though it is it might encourage the Mau to fresh excesses and precipitate a deplorable situation that the Government is doing its besfto prevent.

New Zealand Finance.

The announcement by Sir Joseph Ward that the present issue of

5J per cent, stock is being withdrawn and an issue bearing 5J per cent.

interest with a seven years’ currency is to take its place is a fresh indication of the effect the high rates of interest ruling in other countries are having in hardening the price of money in this Dominion. The Government recently completed the operations connected with the £29,000.000 maturity loan, the effect of the transaction being the transfer of a fairly large parcel of the debt affected about £6,000.000, from London to New Zealand. A steady stream of local money has since been flowing into the Treasury, but apparently the Government is in need of more, and while the drain will be dependent upon the Government's spending activities, it is fairly safe to assume that so long as money is forthcoming it will be accepted and expended. The surplus of bank deposits has shown a steady decrease since last April, according to the latest banking returns, and if any large proportion if deposits is to be converted into deben tures the result will be a grave scarcity of money for ordinary trading advances. There is in New Zealand a regrettable increase in importation which would not be justified in ordinary times and must presently be deplored, in view of the drop in prices for wool, butter,, and cheese, and the Government’s offer to pay 51 per cent, on money is not heartening. Until this demand for money has been satisfied private traders will find it difficult to secure accommodation for their legitimate needs, and it must be admitted that the outlook, while it is not yet alarming, is far from bright, and the greatest caution must be observed.

The Colliery Disaster.

Tho findings of the Royal Commission which inquired into the

disaster at the Linton colliery last November. (ho result of which

as me resun. oi which three men lost their lives and others were seriously injured, emphasise the need for strict enforcement of the regula tions regarding work in coal mines. Ihe report makes it clear that there has been a certain laxity in the supervision at the mine, and it may be assumed that ’-e Linton colliery is not the only mine in New Zealand at which the necessary regulations are not strictly enforced. The disaster appears to have been caused through the lighting of a match by an employee who has paid for his indiscretion with his life, and it is not necessary to dwell on the fact that his desire to enjoy a forbidden smoke has had unfortunate consequences for other persons besides himself. What does seem to be necessary, however, is that a tightening up of the regulations regarding the searching of mine workers should be made, as suggested by the commission, in order that the men may be subject to a search at any time they are in the mine. Supervision appears to have been lax in other matters also, of a more technical nature, and whether this was the result of neglect or merely lack of scientific knowledge it is apparent that proper precautions were not taken. \\ hen work is carried on daily in dangerous

circumstances there is undoubtedly an inclination to grow careless of the risks involved, and apparently this was tiio ease at the Linton colliery. It is unfortunate that a fatal explosion must occur before the foolishness of ignoring any ot ihe mining regulations becomes apparent to those whose lives are spent iu dangerous work.