PUBLIC OPINION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17833, 29 April 1926, Page 8

PUBLIC OPINION.

WHAT OTHER WRITERS ARE SAYING.

AMERICA'S ISOLATION. More than a fortnight ago it was officially announced that the United States had decided not to participate in the World Court Conference called to meet at Geneva on September 1. It was then stated that the formal refusal would be despatched in a week s time. The announcement created surprise, and as the week lengthened to a fortnight without its being given effect it was hoped that either there had been misinformation as + o America’s intention or the intention had been abandoned on second thoughts. There comes now the news that the formal notice of non-participation has been despatched to the American Legation at Berne for delivery to the League. This action emphasises America's aloofness from the League and reverses a hope recently entertained, even in America, that reluctance to share fully in the League’s work was breaking down at Washington. Although America did not ratify the League covenant, she has participated in the Permanent Court of International Justice —to call the-World Court by it-s Hill title—-which the League created. She has had a representative judge' on its bench of eleven. The Senate has recently reaffirmed America's adhesion to the Court, and it has been stated with approval, by prominent Americans among others, that a great change in the attitude of Washington to Geneva was steadily manifesting itself. —“ Herald,” Auckland. A TAXPAYERS’ REFUQE. Death duties make no insignificant contribution to the revenue derived in Great Britain from the heavy taxation necessary for the meeting of the country’s obligations. In the national interest the Government is not indifferent to the passing of those who leave great possessions behind them. In the case of estates assessed at over two millions the death duties amount to 40 per cent. Thus, from the estate of a British millionaire, who, as the cables reported, died last week leaving a fortune estimated at £7.000,000, the Treasury would have collected nearly £3,000,000 if the fates had not been unkind to it. It would seem, however, that in view of the claim that the domicile of the deceased was not in England, but Jersey in the Channel Islands, where no death duties are levied, the Treasury is going to derive no benefit from this great estate. The amount that is involved directs special attention to the somewhat i curious position in which the. Channel , Islands stand in relation to Great Britain. The Channel Islanders claim exi emption from Imperial taxation under : Royal Charter, and nowhere has inter- ; ference with their ancient privileges

been suggested. But they have been all too content to accept the advantages attaching to their favoured position while forgetting their obligations to the protecting Mother Country. Only last month their refusal to make what are considered to be proper and adequate contributions to Imperial funds in respect of war services was ti e subject of severe condemnation in a report of a Committee of the Privy Council which was appointed to consider the financial situation arising out of the war.—“ Otago Daily Times.” UNFORTUNATE POLAND.

In view of the recent report of a Russo-German Treaty. which, it is stated, has as its object the building of a bridge over Poland, it is interesting to note that in the latter pai t of last year the Socialist and Radical elements endeavoured to have a drastic reduction made in the Polish Army of about 300.000 officers and men. It was argued that by such means the 1926 Budget could be balanced and the country’s financial stability restored, two factors designed to overcome unemployment which was becoming very acute. A move was made to reduce the Budget estimate by placing some 40,000 soldiers and 2000 officers on furlough, but the move led to the resignation of the Chief of Staff. General Haller. Much discussion took place, the supporters of a drastic reduction in the army saying that relations with Russia had improved to an extent justifying a weakening of the frontiei guards, while on the western side it was urged that the Locarno spirit should be encouraged towards Germany. The opponents of the Socialist move maintained that Bolshevism was lar from a negligible influence and that to throw 300,000 soldiers out of employment would increase the nations problem greatly. Count Skrzynski, the Premier, leads a Government comI posed of the moderate elements, and 1 he appears to be capable of managing the country’s affairs successfully.— “Wanganui Herald.”