The Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 1919. A GREAT LIBERAL'S LESSON TO "LIBERAL'S"

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11961, 12 December 1919, Page 4

The Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. FRIDAY, DEC. 12, 1919. A GREAT LIBERAL'S LESSON TO "LIBERAL'S"

THE British Prime Minister, Mr Lloyd George, is unquestionably one of the greatest statesmen of the daj-, and, when party differences have been forgotten, the historian in the future will pay well-deserved tribute to the greatness and import-

ance|pf the work he has done, and the iuflnence his personality and ability have had on the destinies of one great Empire. Ho has been working with colleagues among whom are some whose party is entirely opposed to his own under ordinary conditions, but both he and they have worked with but one aim in view, —the welfare of the people, and the integrity and defence of the Empire. When a man of ability expresses an opinion we may be sure that it has been formed after due consideration, and when he makes an earnest appeal we may feel confident that there is good reason forit. He has just made an appeal for continuance of unity between the great political parties, in face of attack by a common toe who threatens to be even more dangerous than the Hun, and his appeal is in terms which also form reprcaon to the socalled “Liberals” of New Zealand, who plunged the country into party strife, while an enemy is battering at the walls of social order, and assailing the rights of private property. Mr“ Lloyd George rightly said: —“The only alternative to a coalition is confusion. There is a new challenge to civilisation, affecting the whole fabric of society. It declares private enterprise a failure, which must be voted out. Those who believe in the virtues of private enterprise mast remove the evils which had provoked a challenge to national unity. This alone could save .Britain, Europe and the world. He appealed to Liberalism to participate worthily in a united effort to save the world.” That challenge to civilisation io being made in New Zealand to-day, and it will be decided, at least temporarily, in the polling booths next week. Bu: though the 'enemy’s forces were in view, and his designs openly pro claimed, instead of all sane electors being united, they have been split into factions, and made to fight against each other.

WE must confess that we cannot follow Sir Joseph Ward’s financial arguments. This may, of course, be due to our failure to .understand the political art that converts debt into profit, or shadow into substance. Ho has recently been talking of huge borrowing that will apparently not be# debt, and of banking profits that ought to go to the people, whereas it is not the people’s money that is being used, but that of private individuals. When we find any politi ■ | cian advocating State banking, we natural think of the pqwer a State Bank would give the-politicians, of the money a Ministry would have to play with, and of Che fact that* even the impecunious have votes. Then we-are told that money tor certain purposes, such as building houses, could come from a so-called surplus in the Post Office Savings Bank, but when we examine the Year Book we find that practically all the funds arefrepresented by paper securities consisting of State promises to pay. Another piece of interesting information is that construction of new railways will cost nothing because our railways are paying per cent, We cannot accept the" sequence as logical, because, even if we spend on new construction the profit earned by the railways we shall still have to pay the interest, which the percent baraly covers even now. It is evidently possible, at a political, teaparty, to both eat your cake and have it.

Rome report3"fchafc it is understood that a settlement has been reached between the Government and D'Annunzio. The Matin destatos that the Belgian Cabinet will declare in favour of a military entente with France and Britain. The Supreme Council has decided to divide among the Allies the Turkish gold deposited in Berlin at the beginning of the war. Poik and the United States delegation have sailed from France for New York, Ambassador Wallace is to represent the United States at the Peace Conference, The Niagara from Vancouver, left Honolulu on December 18th. The Makura, from Auckland to Vancouver. left Honolulu at 5 p.m. on December 6th. Admiral Trouhridge states‘that the Danube must.belong to all nations, like an open sea. An international commission sitting at Paris will assume its adminstration. * In the House of Lords Lord Stanmore announced that Livinoff’s conditions for the exchange of prisoners were unacceptable, but the despatch of clothing to Moscow had been arranged for.

The Timres''merongen correspondent states that the ex-Kaiser and Prince Adalbert received a telegram from Germany reporting that the .French army had entirely occupied Germany. Adalbert immediatey left for Germany. The ex-Kaiser and Kaiser in are very nervous. Food rioters in Vienna on Saturday looted hundreds of shops and searched Catholic convents. The police, assisted by Italian soldiers with machine guns, restored order. Uther similar outbreaks are feared elsewhere, owing to widespread famine.

Yesterday at Sydney a procession of unemployed returned soldiers, with banners inscribed “We want work; we want bread. Down with profiteers’ ’ held a meeting at the Trades Hall, and afterwards proceeded to Parliament House. They were informed 'that the Chief Secretary was absent, and dispersed. Madrid newspapers have ceased publication owing to a strike of all grades of employees, who demand a 50 per*cent. increase. The proprietors offer twenty per cent., but this has been refused. Owing to a demonstration against non-union labour, the newspaper proprietors abandoned the idea of publishing a joint newspaper, and all publication has been stopped. Dr Schultz, ex-Governor of Samoa, in a lecture at Berlin, refuted the accusations against the Gorman colonial administration of the South Seas, which the Entente used as a cloak for annexation of German protectorates. German doctors rendered extraordinary service in fighting epidemics, and man y tribes which were dying out were saved as a result of their efforts, while in Samoa there was even an increase of population English and French had done nothing comparable He instances that a fourth of the Samoans died during the influenza outbreak.

Speaking at Waikiwi, the Rev Howard Elliott referred to the question of the exemption of Marist Bros, from war service, saying that tliey had been granted a privilege denied them in Itaij' and France. “Was it not Sir Joseph Ward,” he asked, “who moved specially to get them that protection, and was ic not Sir Joseph Ward who had been reminded by the Church to do so?” In this respect Sir Joseph Ward had led the House, and the Catholics had sufficient power in the House to obtain tho protection of priests and Brothers.

A deputation from the New Zealand Soldiers’ Association waited on the Prime Minister at Auckland yesterday and laid before him the platform of the Association. Mr Massey, in'reply, said lie did not think Cabinet would grant the same gratuity to Home Service men, but something might be clone In the matter. With regard to the Association’s request that the Repatriation Board be given power to investigate cases Of hardship arising through men giving up businesses and selling homes expecting to go abroad, Mr Massey said he thought this a reasonable request, apd he would bring the matter before Cabinet. Tbe question of mufti allowance would also be considered.

The good people of Whenuakura and surrounding district are enjoying a hearty laugh, says the Wanganui Chronicle. It all came about through Mr Powdreil’s meeting- at Wheuuakura. While Mr PqwrlrelL held the platform inside the hall, au enemy tried to spike his guns— of rather the tyros of his car. The tyres were badly slashed, but strange to saj' this malicious damage had no effect whatever on Mr Powdreli’s car. The reason for tins is verj' simple, Tiie enemy bad mistaken the car and damaged one which proved to be owned by an opponent of Mr Powdrell. The joke came when the party whose motor had been placed out of action were driven home by Mr Powdrell. At a meeting of Wanganui Education'Board on Wednesday the acting chairman (Mr A. Fraser) expressed keen regret that they were about to lose the services of the chief inspector (Mr T. B. Strong). He said Mr btrong had proved himself one of the most'efficient'of officers. The Board sincerely congratulated Mr Strong on his appointment as chief inspector of the primary schools of the Dominion and were pleased to record the highest; appreciation of his past services. Mr W. Bruce said Mr Strong was held in the highest esteem and had earned ®the goodwill of the parents, the children and tbe school committees. Mr Strong thanked the Board for the kind remarks. During fifteen years in the district he met with every kindness ami consideration, and had received every support. He was leaving the district with regret and trusted that the same support would be given to his successor.

Drink causes inefficiency, misery, grief, poverty, insanity, crime, disease and death. Save New Zealand from her worst enemy on the ITth,* The curse of present day politics is the evil influence of the liquor traffic. For example.—Recent railway restrictions when liquor was carried to the exclusion ofbullding materials, live stock and other essentials. It would be even worse if we had State Control. Vote it out completely.*

. Strawberries extra choice 2s per b,-cherries Is 6rl per lb, gooseber ries Gel per lb—J. B. Barrington, Phone 294, Marton.*

As a result of a visit paid to Dannevirke by members of Kiwitea County Council a crusher plant is to be purchased-’for the County. p A sheaf of oat? seven feet in length and still growing was shown at Feildxng Flower Show £by Mr *D. Kingston, Awahuri Road. Three well known Marton vocalists—Misses Blair, Eichardson and Sutcliffe—will contribute a trip at the Municpial Brass Band Concert in the Town Hall, Marton, Sunday evening. Two Wanganui artists will assist, Mr Geo. Swan in recitation, and Mr B.' McCarthy in song. The Band will render a March, “Odeon, ” seledtions J“Parenthia” and ‘ ‘Prince Oregon, ’ ’ and the march “Under the Stars." One hundred and twenty Coalition Commoners, chiefly leaders of industry and commerce, waited on Mr Bonar Law on Wednesday as a deputation protesting against limiting mine owners’ profits to Is 2d. Mr Bonar Law said that the Government was bound to abide by its pledge to carry out Mr Justice Sankey’s report. The Bill will come on on Thursday, and there may fee a critical division.

An honour will be conferred on Marton District High School oh Monday, when Mr E. New-' man, M.P,. will present to the school a flag on behalf of the Navy League. With •the exception of New Plymouth, Marton is the only other school in the North Island to receive such a distinction. The public are cordially invited to bo present. The ceremony will be made more interesting by a number of items to be given by the pupils.

The Headmaster's report to Marton District High School Committee showed that the attendance was keeping up well, the recent average being the highest for a number of years. The scholars by small weekly contributions have subscribed £23 iu war bonds. It was that some prizes for school work be presented this year. These will be presented at a concert cn Thursday next. The school closes on December 16th, and "reopens on February 3rd 1920. A combined school sports gathering is to be held early in the New Year.

Home reports that details of disorders at Mantua on the Brd aud 4th in which eight were killed and fifty wounded, show that the disturbances were the result of a protest strike. A mob attacked the barracks a'nd beat four officers senseless and smashed all the windows. The soldiers fired into the air, but the mob fired at the soldiers. The mob then invaded the station and destroyed telegraphs and telephones, rushed to the gaol and released prisoners and set tire to the building. They committed similar acts elsewhere. The troops were reinforced and occupie d the city.

Miss B. H. Dormer-Mauuder, of Marton, is one of the recipients of a notable distinction of which the King has approved, viz., a clasp to officers, warrant officers, non-com-missioned officers, aud men who have been awarded the “1914 Star” aud who actually served under the fire of the enemy in France and Belgium between August 5, 1914, and midnight of November 23 and 2 8, 1914. The clasp is in bronze and bears the inscription “August s—November 22, 1914.” In undress and service uniform, when ribbons are worn, the grant of the clasp will be denoted h}’ the wearing of a small silver rose in the centre of the-ribbon.

Liquor men have built up fortunes out of ru'ned lives and blasted homes, Allsop’s shares'have jumped from £3 to £B6 since 1915, Y ate out the liquor monopoly by striking out the two top lines.*