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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 158, 10 August 1914, Page 6

One of. the'most reassuring aspects of the gigantic trouble in the Mother Country is the sanity and coolness that have been exhibited by all grades of society. - After all the talk of. years of the German menace, Englishmen are face to face with the grim prospect of actual war, but there is no hysteria. On every hand preparations for defence and offence are going forward with a businesslike seriousness that exacts admiration. It has come home to the people that here is a cause which England, for the ultimate peace of the world and her .own future .self-preserva-tion, "must champion, loth as she was to take, the extreme step. When the tittie],came for the dread declaration of war against the German, that declara-tion-was made with the knowledge that uo other alternative was left England —the gage was -flung in her face. It | would not have been altogether surpris-! ing had the acceptance of the challenge been succeeded by panic in some shape or form, but there has been no such disturbance of the public mind. On the contrary, an astonishing lack of alarm has followed the declaration of and preparation for war. The Government has set the people a splendid example in its cool determination in such a crisis. Steps have been taken to provide, so far as is humanly possible, against a shortage Of primary food supplies, which inevitably falls most sorely on the poorer classes. Every care is being taken to ensure that no unscrupulous individuals shall take advantage of the occasion to traffic in foodstuffs. The Government lias taken the great British public under its wing, and its attitude and action will go a long Way towards allaying anxiety with regard to the food supply. New Zealand has not been neglectful in this particular, and all through Imperial Britain alike concern for the interests of consumers and traders is being evinced. To this the people have responded with an unexampled demonstration of confidence and patriotism that is a tribute to the race with the greatest traditions in the world. England and her colonies have settled down whole-heartedly to the supreme test. It will be a bloody and exhausting test, hut the spirit with which it is being approached augv.rs assuringly as to the outcome.