WEST COAST MYSTERY : HIGH STREET POST OFFICE : HERR ADOLPH HITLER

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19236, 25 November 1930, Page 5

WEST COAST MYSTERY : HIGH STREET POST OFFICE : HERR ADOLPH HITLER

BRITISH CUSTOMS 4 OFFICER KILLED.

VICTIM OF INTRIGUE IN CHINESE POLITICS. Political motives inspired the shooting, six weeks ago, of Mr Lenox Simpson, better .known as “Putnam Weale,” Tientsin Customs Commissioner, according to Chinese and foreign opinion. Tbis was learned by a correspondent of the “Morning Post" at Tientsin. \\ hether it was instigated from Nanking or Mukden is doubtful since both factions desired the removal of Mr Simpson, who was appointed by Yen Hsi-shan. the Northern War Lord. Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang, the Manchurian leader, who took the city from en, was unable to confirm Mr Simpson’s appointment without an open breach with the Nationalist Government at Nanking, but did not desire to appoint a new Commissioner until the question of the disposal of the surplus customs revenue was decided, this being the most vital problem in the relations between Nanking and M.ukden since Chang occupied the north-west. Nanking desired the removal of Mr Simpson, first because he was appointed by Yen Hsi-shan, violating the socalled integrity of the maritime customs, and secondly in order to force Chang to commit himself regarding the disposal of the customs revenue by appointing a new Commissioner. Mukden had an equally strong motive for removing Mr Simpson in order temporarily to side-step Nanking’s intentions. When the correspondent interviewed Chang at Mr.kden he stated that he favoured returning the Tientsin Customs to Nanking jurisdiction but significantly added that he hoped the new Commissioner would be friendly to Mukden. Althpugh Chang refused to confirm the appointment of Mr Simpson he did not take any steps to remove the existing customs administration. It was learned from reliable sources that Nanking agreed to allot the Tientsin customs surplus to Mukden in order to defray Chang’s expenditure on the military occupation of Pekin and Tientsin, but insisted on the funds first being remitted to Nanking. This plan did not meet with Chang's approval on account of the uncertainty of the ultireturn of the customs revenue to Mukden. The customs question was regarded as the most critical affecting the relations between Nanking and Mu&den, Nanking already viewing suspiciously the appointment of Mudken adherents to all administrative and revenue-con-trolling positions in Pekin and Tientsin. Nanking was willing to concede local appointment to Mukden, but was insist ent on retaining customs control.

A cablegram published last Friday stated that Mr Simpson had died as the result of his injuries.

A charge against William Davey, an upholsterer, aged twenty-four years, that on October 4, at Irwell, he assaulted a female, was dismissed by Mr E. L). Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court this morning.

“MINISTERS WHO KNOW THEIR JOBS”

UNITED PARTY MEN ARE PRAISED AT AUCKLAND. (Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, November 24. An enthusiastic reception was accord- • ed to visiting Ministers of the Crown and United members of Parliament this - morning by the Auckland provincial • executive of the United Party. There ■ was a large attendance and high trib--1 utes were paid to the guests, who included the Hon W. A. Veitch, Minister 1 of Railways, and the Hon A. J. Murdoch, Minister of Agriculture. Mr D. - M’Dougall, M.P. for Mataura, Mr W. J. 1 Broadfoot (Waitomo), Mr F. Lye ■ (Waikato) and the Hon J. Trevethick, M.L.C. Mr F. Burbush, who presided, said that the party’s organisation in Auckland was on a sound basis, and everything was in readiness in the electorates i:i the provincial district to work for the return of candidates at the next general election. He extended the visitors a hearty welcome to Auckland. The Hon J. B. Donald, PostmasterGeneral, said that if there were two men in the Cabinet who knew their jobs they were Messrs Veitch and Murdoch. A voice: And the speaker. “ Of course,” replied Mr Donald, with l a smile. United Party Ideals. The Hon W. A. Veitch, who was cheered on rising to respond, commented that the party in Auckland was obviously an enthusiastic organisation The essence of organisation was enthusiasm, and the way to obtain enthusiasm was to remind the members of the party constantly of what they were fighting for. The United Party existed for the establishment and main tenance of humane ideals, sound economics and political ethics in the Government of New Zealand. Unless that objective were constantly kept in view enthusiasm would be lost. “ I believe that ethics mean more than anything else,” said the Minister “ We require a thorough knowledge of economics also. Our purpose is to bring the country back to a state of prosperity, and we can go a long way in that direction by the application of sound principles and political ethics to the problems we meet. Loyalty to New Zealand. “ Let us remember that loyalty to party means loyalty to New Zealand and the Empire. (Applause.) Let us take the widest possible view of our loyalty and support the ethics and principles of our party, because they are such as will bring the country back to prosperity.” The Minister said the Government was out to do its best for New Zealand in making provision for the future Great care had to be exercised because of the detrimental effect mistakes would have on generations to come The future of the Dominion depended on good government, and the United Party could promise that. Therefore in the interests of th£ future, they asked for whole-hearted support, not | for the sake of the Government itself, J but for the sake of the present and j future generations. • |

Country Would Win Out. Cheers also greeted the lion A. J. Murdoch, who emphasised the value of commencing serious organisation long before the election, as contests were usually won months ahead and not on the polling day itself. While seme of the legislation passed by Parliament last session might have appeared hard it had to be remembered that the financial position of the country had to be adjusted. The national revenue had decreased and Government could not be carried on without funds. In its effort to balance the Budget the Government had tried to fit the burden to the shoulders of the taxpayers in a fair and impartial manner. The Government had been “ up against it,” but in the end the country would win out as it had in the past, and the victory would be a splendid one, in the capable hands of the present Prme Minister and his team. “ It is no use mincing matters and thinking you are sailing in smooth water with plenty of wind in your sails when you are not,” said the Minister. “We have been sailing against the wind and we have had a hard job to tackle, but we have done it fairly, and I think with some success.” There were further cheers for the Ministers and the visiting members at the conclusion of the proceedings.