PEACE WITH SECURITY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7422, 27 March 1902, Page 2

PEACE WITH SECURITY.

In view of the fact that General Bchalk Burger and other prominent Boers have thought it time that an effort should be made to brjng the war to a peaceful end, the recent statement of Lord Salisbury, that "We have entered upon a matter and bu:inesa which we must push through," is interesting, as being indicative of the disposition of the British Government not lo agree to any terms but the unreserved surrender . of the enemy. In his speech before the Junior Constitutional Club, the British Prime Minister, referring to the Dutch proposals for peace in South Africa, said he was unable to imagine the precise object of the Dutch Government, for whose friendly feelings he had the greatest admiration, and he could not see the precise object it was hoped to gain. It seemed to His Lordship that the Netherlands Government had no authority from Boers of note resident on the Continent, and he could only imagine that a very small section of opinion in England, known by the name of pro-Beers, was really responsible for the curious step. Furthermore, he was pessimistic as to the result of the Dutch movement in the matter. However, it would appear that the action of the Netherlands Premier hap had gome effect, even although it seems too much to hope that the peace mission of Scbalk Burger will be endorsed by De Wet and other ardent Boer spirits. The Premier expressed himself strongly cf opinion that a period had been reached wb.Bn persons must think more of the suggestions of their intelligence and less of the suggestions of their emotion?. "Many people," he remarked, 41 would desire that we should sacrifice all that we had done, and all that we had given up, for the purpose of cobbling up a peace which would not last." Snch suggestions must be examined with great care and jealousy. There was no question now oi sentiment or feeling. " Any restoration of peace which oould recognise fully the rights of our most gracious Sovereign and give us security for the Empire we should accept, not only with willingness, but with delight. There was nothing that we so desired as a peaoe which should carry with it the fulfilment of all our duties and the attainment of the high aima which it was our business to pursue, but we must have security. We could "Hot admit that any result of the war, however it might commend itself to the feelings of the most amiable part of the community, was tolerable for a moment unless it gave us the one reward for all we had sacrificed. For the future there should be security in the desolate part of the Empire upon which the ambition of Mr Kruger had poured this abundance of sorrow and desolation. In considering any settlement we must ask ourselves whether it will commend itself to the loyal men of South Africa. The war had made this country more confident in its external policy, and morej convinced that its opinion would receive due consideration from all members of the comity of nations to which it belonged." In face of the oft-repeated statements of members of the British Government that any settlement must be on uncon. ditional surrender lines, the Boer leaders cannot possibly expect lenient terms.

The Stab will not be published to-morrow (Good Friday) or on Easter Monday.

. The Feilding Star has been informed that the Californian thistle is causing some of the Ballance settlers considerable annoyance. Shalite is being purchased from the looal ga3 works, and spread on the ground, thus choking it out. This is done at considerable expense, but is found to be very effective.