The Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. THURSDAY, FEB. 12, 1920. THE TURKISH PROBLEM.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11999, 12 February 1920, Page 4

The Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. THURSDAY, FEB. 12, 1920. THE TURKISH PROBLEM.

■ » - —■ SO far as the British Empire is concerned the Turkish problem is not the least in importance, for it affects a very large portion of our wide dominions, as well as neighbouring countries, and it is rendered still more serious by the fact that the Mahommedan religion exhorts its followers t(i' -fight for their faith. Becent news by cable informed us that the Turks are preparing to tight in the event of their losing Constantinople, which to them is not merely a possession, but is an almost sacred city as being for long the centre occupied by their head. It would also be observed that recently the Viceroy in India was impelled to issue a proclamation assuring Mahommodans that the sanctity of their holy places will be respected. With great conning the Mahommedans in India have secured the co-operation of the Hindus in their demands, and this led the Viceroy to point out to a joint deputation that the Khalifate is a question for Mahommedans alone with which the Hindu population have no concern. Though our rule in India has been beneficent, and has been appreciated by the great majority, as was proved by the willing assistance given during the war, and the loyal and substantial support of the Indian Princes, the fact still remains that we hold India by the sword, and that it is most urgently necessary that the religious feelings of its millions shall not" be antagonsied. Hence the necessity for care in dealing with Turkish questions, which could otherwise be easily settled. Then, again, it is not desirable in the interests of the world that a Turkish Government should be allowed to remain in possession of Constantinople, because it would command the passage to a very large and productive area of the earth’s surface. The political and commercial necessities call for the removal of the Turks from power in any part of European territory, while the safety of our Indian Empire,- and our influence in Persia demand that any action taken by us shall not be calculated to irritate the Mahommedan, world and we most even prevent others from taking it lest we lose at once confidence in our toleration and goodwill, and belief in our prestige. Though it has not been given great prominence, it is evident that the question is one of the most perplexing of the many with which Britain and the Allies have to deal. It may be that the best possible solution will be found on the lines recently suggested by Mr Garvin, which will ensure control to the Allies of the passage to the Black Sea, and.stiil leave the, Sultan in Constantinople, as a sort of Mohammedan Pope. It is evident that until the problem has been solved, uncertainty will prevail in India and elsewhere, and in the meantime the situation is enabling agitators to create discontent and suspicion, which may at any moment cause serious trouble.

THE rapacity of the Postal Department in extorting .-peciai contributions from country settlers who desire to enjoy the service established by the State has caused the Auckland .Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union to make some strong representations to the Government. The last reply received from the Acting Postmaster-General states that “the Department’s policy is to require the settlers concerned to contribute towards the additional cost of a mail service in the event of their requiring a service of greater frequency than is given to settlers in other parts of the Dominion, and after due consideration it has been decided to continue this policy, as if the desired increase I service is not warranted by business or circumstances, in time the cost would become altogether too buardensome. ’’ In other words, the fact that the Department is fleecing some settlers,

is held to entitle It to fleece all. Commenting on this reply, Mr W. Huey, Provincial Secretary for Auckland, remarks: —“The powers that be are apparently ignoring the fact that adequate postal and telephone facilities will increase country settlement and consequently production ; that to expect each small mail service to pay for itself is not in the interests of the settlement of the backblcks districts or the Dominion as a whole; that the imposition of a subsidy on a small body of settlers is obviously unfair, as nearly the whole of the mail matter is despatched to and from the towns, therefore the cost should be more evenly distributed, consequently any deficiency should be made good out of consolidated revenue. The Department will not agree that any profit on urban services should he used as a set-off against any loss on country services, although this principle is adopted in regard to the educational system. Surely our public services should not be primarily profit making concerns; the convenience of the public should be the first consideration. ;No section of the community should be compelled to pay a subsidy for facilities, c he cost of which should be borne by the community as a whole, inasmuch as the whole community benefits from any extension of the postal service. The backblock settler is generally quite enough isolated through lack of roads, telephone, arid telegraph, without being still further handicapped by being compelled to pay for his only other means of communication —the postal service—and the Auckland executive is not disposed to let the matter rest until the Government takes steps to make all rural deliveries free and adequate, and asks the co-operation of our branches and members throughout the Dominion in bringing this about.

A garden party at Mr M. Qphen’s residence in Palmerston on Tuesday realised £240 v for Upper Hntt Orphanage,

; 'Broadway received“its first coating ot tar this morning, in connection with the tar-grouting. The ceremony was not an official one, but keen interest is being displayed in the pro : cess by Martonians.

Hon D H Guthrie, Minister of Lands, is leaving next week for the Urewera Country, where he will make a tour of the district with the object of determining how much of the area already acquired from the Natives can be successfully settled. A judgment debtor at Marton Courtj who is already paying instalments on an overdue account, pleaded as an excuse for further payments that he had not been worried for payment for five years, and as further argument why he should not pay up stated the amount had been owing for nine years. Ho also claimed that he was entitled to a glass of beer occasionally. The Magistrate was unsympathetic and made an order.

The stores of the Hast Coast Cooperative Freezing Company’s Works at Whakatane are now full of meat, their capacity being about 135,000;carcases. The steamer Port Caroline is expected to arrive there on Friday to lift 15,000 carcases, put this will only relieve the congestion to the extent of about five days killing. It is expected that it will be necessary to restrict killing at the works.

t There are 48 events on the programme for the Caledonian Sports at Turakina on Saturday, and they include piping, dancing, field and horse events. An early start will be made, 10.30 a.m., and a live committee will keep events moving thus ensuring a day full of interest. Luncneou and afternoon tea will be obtainable on the ground and there will be a distribution of sports prises at a grand Caledonian concert in the evening. The Herald reports that the butter stores at Auckland are full. The Northumberland is not yet loading, and it is understood her agents have received instructions from England that she is to load frozen meat. A fair amount of space has been allotted to the Farmers’ Freezing Company on the Kaikoura, which will start loading meat at Auckland on Monday. This vessel will take 46,000 boxes of butter, 13,000 crates of cheese, and 29,000 carcases of meat.

The Earl of Athloue who has been appointed Governor-General of Canada is the younger brother of Queen Mary. He relinquished the title of Prince Alexander of Teck on the conferment of the . Earldom of Athlone in June, 1917. He married in 1904 Princess Alice of Albany, and has one son and one daughter. He was appointed Governor-General of Canada in 1914 in succession to the Duke of Connaught, but the outbreak of the war caused a change of plans, and his place was taken by the Duke of Devonshire. The Earl of Athlone is 45 years of age.

At Marton Court this morning judgment by default was given in the following cases:—S. Sharpe v. Heke Huuia, claim £l3 10s, costs £2 ls6d; S. Sharpe v. Warena Huuia, claim £4 10a, costs 21s ; F. J. Christensen v. H. Bovan, £6 16s 6d, costs 23? 6d ; G. Stafford v. H. Sevan, £9 12s 6d, costs 32s 6d; G. Stafford v. H. F, Young, £ll2s Gd, costs 10s, In the judgment summons case, F. R. H, Brice v. J. Stevens, claim £l3 18s, an order was made for payment of 5s per week. W. Thacker was allowed one mouth in which to pay 7 the claim of H. M. Scott, in defan’t seven ■clays’ imprisonment.