THE WEEK'S "SNIPING."

Bruce Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 72, 13 September 1917, Page 4

THE WEEK'S "SNIPING."

There has been the usual a-mount of "sniping" during the week. Questions of more or less importance have been asked, and the replies have in some cases been the reverse of what was anticipated by the questioners. Dr Thacker, for instance, "fell in" "badly when lie hinted that a brother medico in Christchurch was not an anatomist. This the -answer' showed was incorrect, as the medico had actually been a professor of anatomy. Such questions are party pure and simple, and do no good from a patriotic point of view. ' THE LIBERTY LOAN. The success of the Liberty Loan was so great that the Treasurer was led to deck-re, when speaking on the third reading of the Finance Bill, that in all probability after the war it would be found wise to raise our development loans in New Zealand. This is a very radical proposal, but one that may be found expedient. A few years ago such a suggestion would have been treated as one worthy of an inmate of Seaciiff. The war has changed almost everything, and no one with any sense of responsibility would now be prepared to deny the possibility of the Treasurer's forecast coming true.

In reply to Mr Webb (Grey), Hon. A. L. Herd-man .made a spirited defence of the War Regulations in the House of Representatives. Mr 'Herdman said that the Government had and should 'have in wartime very extensive powers of dealing with any position which might arise. The regulations were designed for securing the defence and the safety of New Zealand. He asked if there was any member of the House who would deny that the Government should have those powers. "While we are engaged in a great war," said Mr Herdman, "while 75 ; 000 of our men are away lighting, while we are struggling to send away the produce required for the armies and the/people of the United Kingdom, is it to be contended that any men in this country are to be allowed to stop our ships gettiug away, to stop food reaching England-, and stop supplies reaching the troops? There is no tyranny or despotism like the tyranny of the mob who would interfere with the despatch of troops and with the efforts of the people of New Zealand to win the war. There is no tyranny like that. I shall take a later opportunity of dealing fully with this subject, and shall then read to the House a choice selection from seditious speeches that have been made in this country. Members will be surprised when they hear what 'has been said." The right thinking in the community will endorse every word uttered by Mr Herdman. The regulations are only used against those who are endeavouring to retard recruiting, the transport of produce, and the proper carrying out of the business of the country so far as the war is concerned. Honest hostile criticism has never been objected to, but the Government is wise in stopping sedition of all kinds.