The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1911.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3300, 19 August 1911, Page 6

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 1911.

As we foreshadowed in a recent issue, it is the intention of Mr. W- D. Lysnar to resign from the Mayoralty forthwith. To his supporters last night His Worship made it quite clear that if Ihe were to obtain a speedy restoration to his former state of health, there was no alternative but to take a complete rest over a lengthened period. When we say that we sincerely trust that it will not be long before Mr. Lysnar experiences greatly improved healthy we feel sure we are but voicing the hope of the whole of the citizens. It is of course easy to be wise after the event, but there can be no doubt that it would have been in his best interests personally had he decided to take the step in question much earlier in the year. Unhappily instances are not rare where public men in New Zealand have suffered a breakdown in health as a result in a great measure of paying too close attention to their duties. The record of the past few montlis bears out this 1 contention all too forcibly. Not only have the Mayor of Christchurch and the Mayor of New Plymouth lately passed away, but the Mayor of Wellington l —to mention another instance—has only just recovered from a dangerous illness. As far as Mr. Lysnar is concerned, it has long been patent to his friends that serious consequences might only be expected if he could not be persuaded to relinquish his duties for a time. In this connection' it may fairly be said, we feel, tliat there are few local politicians in this country who have worked so assiduously as Mr. Lysnar. Not content with the work and worry which his position in local affairs has involved Mr. Lysnar, as is well known, has in addition expended much effort in his desire to promote the interests of the frozen produce, dairying, oil and other industries. Only the residents of thig district have an adequate conception of the energy and enthusiasm which l he has been wont to throw into any matter which has engaged his attention. Freed from the cares of the various offices which he at present holds, Mr, Lysnar should, and, as we have said, it will be generally hoped will soon be restored to the best of health. As to what will be the effect—as regards borough affairs—of his retirement from the important office of Mayor, it is not our intention to discuss on the present occasion. With the selection of a member of the Council—most likely Cr. Pet-tie—to the post of “chief citizen” there will of course be an extraordinary vacancy on the Council. Under the circumstances we can, as we have already said, only feel that Mr. Lysnar will have the general sympathy of the citizens and their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

The Mayor to Resign.

The news which we publish this morning concerning the Moroccan crisis is not of a re-assuring nature. According to an inspired German statement France, it appears, has only the choice between withdrawing from Morocco or agreeing with Germany. In connection’ with this grave problem, the references in the Home newspapers just to hand are of great interest. When the mail left England there was a strong suspicion that Germany’s sudden activity originally was not unconnected with a secret treaty which France had made with Morocco. What was contained in the arrangement in question is now no longer a secret. France, it- is known, agreed to undertake the policing of Morocco at the expense of the Moorish Exchequer. As far as can be gathered from the French journals, the German demonstration in Morocco was believed in' France to be due to irritation created by the breaking of an agreementconcluded by Baron Von Schoen, the German Ambassador in Paris, and M. Pichon, the former French Minister of Foreign Affairs, with a view to associating French and German interests in Morocco and Gaboon. What appears to have hindered the completion of the negotiations up to the time the mail left Home was that Germany seemed inclined to await French offers, whilst France, on the other hand, was equally insistent upon the offers emanating from Germany. The general impression outside Germany was that she was bent on asserting, if possible, a large share of authority in hapless Morocco. According to the Paris correspondent of the London “Times,” four or five Powers—Great Britain, Germany. Spain and possibly Russia— would take part in the “conversations” which were to be opened in order to investigate in the first- place the meaning and scope of Germany’s initial interference in Morocco. German interests in the quarter of Morocco affected are reported' not to exceed £3000! Great Britain we are told has intimated that important British interests are directly concerned in the matter, and Germany lias been given; distinctly to understand that Great Britain will countenance no arrangement made without her. That Great- Britain is determined to stand bv France is unmistakably clear.” . .

The Moroccan Crisis.

in the part that we shall take,” said Mr. Asquith in the House of Commons, “We shall have due regard to the protection qf our own interests and to

the fulfilment of our treaty obligations to France.” The Homo Government, we are further told, has given Germany to understand that there can and mil bo no swerving from tho suppoqt of France. In, view of the latest cables to hand the position may therefore be fraught with the gravest possibilities.