HANDS ACROSS THE SEA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7828, 22 June 1909, Page 4

HANDS ACROSS THE SEA.

To the Editor. Sir,—The above title is fraught with much that is worthy of serious thought and reflection,. First;" Hands across the sea." This would seem to indicate unity and friendship; but how much of this sentiment is tinctured with self-interest, aye, and sometimes worse. Here we have a man who, under the guise of patriotism, flaunts a. red rag before a mad bull, by offering a gift, purchased with borrowed money, using the • security of others, and that b'el'oo consulting the wishes of the people, or waiting till the assembling of Parliament. I refer to the offer by the Premier of a ship-of-war, probably costing a million and a-half, to add to the , already overburdened people. This liability was incurred on perhaps the whim or impulse of one person, which involved the whole of the people; and to add to the overtaxed taxation of the public, he has the temerity to propose a trip to England —again at the country's expense. Really, this looks like adding insult to injury. Let the Premier; prove his patriotism by bearincr his own expenses. Possibly the coup may result in a seat in the British House of Lords. It savors of presumption—the Premier contracting an obligation on the people's security, before first' Consulting those Who \yill, be called upon to pay the cost. Probably the vote will be passed, although the Premier, to thoughtful minds, was too rash, because .the offer was uncalled for and unnecessary. I deprecate the words and actions of those persons—be they Germans or British—who are continually sowing discord between the two peoples. Why do they do it? Has either nation just cause for quarrelling with the other ? If so, is it not more Christian-like to settle differences by peaceful means than by resorting to violence? Although violence and bloodshed may have been justified in past ages, civilisation teaches a more peaceful way to settle- national difficulties. Have the Germans any special cause of complaint against the British nation; have they robbed them of any possessions; have not Germans quite as much tolerance and freedom in British countries as the British have in German countries? Then why this discord and mistrust of each other? I can assure Germans that the British people, either at home or abroad, earnestly desire to live in amity with other people and nations. All we ask is to be treated fairly.and left in peace; otherwise, we British children will rally round the three sisters—England, Scotland and Ireland. "Hands across the sea; united we stand; brothers and sisters all." Sir, jealousy and covetousness seem to be some of the leading causes of war, or one nation is envious of anqther's prosperity and seeks a quarrel—an excuse—for killing their brothermen. Vanity and envy led Cain to kill his brother, and when the Lord asked "Where is thy brother?" he answered "Am I my brother's keeper?" The world is peopled with paricides, and men are called heroes who conquer and kill their fellowmen. Those who have not a personal cause of complaint against the men they kill, kill them in cold blood, without provocation; but such is the devilish power of might, they are applauded for so doing. If one man meets another who has provoked him, and so kills him, lie will forfeit his own life; yet Christian nations plan to destroy each other. Such is Christian doctrine as adopted. HUMANITY.