Reassuring Figures.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15110, 28 October 1914, Page 6

Reassuring Figures.

Those figures aro as surprising as they aro pleasing, when it is reflected that tho quarter contained the tiro first, months of tht? present dreadful struggle, in- Europe. Nobody would havo been greatly surprised if the withdrawals had equalled, or even considerably exceeded, the deposits. Any-. body who, in tho first week of August, had ventured to predict that tho position would be S3 good would havo been thought a very reckless person. It is quite clear, not only that the people are filled with a quiet confidence, but also that they are prospering very happily. "We need not make any invidious comparisons as to what the position, so far as New Zealand itself is concerned; would havo been had the country not

enjoyed the advantages of two years of sound and efficient administration. At tho same time, it would not be inappropriate for tho Opposition to givo full publicity to the reassuring figures, and to give tho Government the credit for its share in making those figures possible. . ,

Tho news from +ho seat of war in France and Belgium continues to bo satisfactory on tho whole. Tho Germans, it is true, have managed to cross tho Yser, but tho main line of defence

in that region, from Nieuport to Dixmude, was at latest advices still being held by tho Allies. The enemy continues to attempt to break through near Lille, but his fierce attacks havo been repulsed. Tho British War Office reports that the eituation is "satisfactory/ and that as a result of severe and continuous fighting, ground has been gained and prisoners and guns captured. In view of this statement the Gorman claim that the British have [suffered severe losses near Lille may bo heavily discounted. According to an Amsterdam paper, the Germans have reoccunied Roulers, but this set-back to the Allies is not confirmed * officially. It is possiblo *.hat tho Allies, busy to tho west and south ofi Roulors, have' only been ablo to send a small force to this advance post. Progress at certain points in tho centro

is recorded. News from Poland suggests that the Germans aro retiring on their frontier, and it is quite probable, as reported by a Petrograd correspondent, that tho Russian cavalry aro giving tho Germans no rest. Tho Cossacks would revel in such opportunities for harassing tactics.

Tho news of tho death of Captain Bertram! Stewart, who was killed in action while on Sir John French's Staff, was communicated to "Tho Times" by

his father, Mr Charles Stewart, of Achiira, Argyllshire, with tho following moving addendum: — "Captain Stewart's wjfo and his father and mother aro. proud and happy that he has died for his country's honour and for 'a scrap o. c paper.' *' That is the noble spirit.whicli is. animating British fathers nnd mothers and wives throughout the Empire to-day, and in this sign Britons will conquer.

Among other documents which arc being krpt as.precious treasures by the editor of this journal is a. letter written by Captain Bnrtrand Stewart on Juue 12th—less than two months before tho war. in which ho referred to an article whicli ho had written for tho "National Review-," entitled "Germany

"and Ourselves." Ho said he was anxious on national grounds that tho article'should receive as much publicity as possible, and ho suggested that perhaps room might be found for a reference to it in "The Press."

Onr readers will remember that Cap-

tain, Stewart was arrested at Bremen in 1911 on a charge of espionage. Before ho was tried the German papers re-

forred to him as "the gentleman spy." aud tried in other ways io poison public opinion against him. The trial was conducted in camera, and after a hearing lasting four days Captain Stewart was tronvicted and sentenced to detention in a fortress for three years and six months. There was only one wit-

ness for tho prosecution, and he, by all accounts, was a witness of a class whoso evidence is always regarded with groat suspicion by English Courts. Ho was, says "Tho Times" on tho facts of the case, an approver or informer.

Captain Stewart did not serve the

full term, having been released as an act of clemency on tho occasion of King George's visit to lJeriin in May, 1913. Immediately on his return to England ho set to work to arouse English public opinion as to tho- reality of tbo German menace, and tho article in tho "National Review" was an example of his jvork in that direction. Tho war

had actually started before we wero ablo to make use of it in '"The Press," and Captain Stewart's indictment ana warning had already received tho strongest possible justification. He

It is, wo suspect, from mcro iorco at habit, and not from any expectation of advantage, that tho member for Avon and his friends persist in making statements which are neither new nor true. Yesterday ho repeated ono of

those curious and useless old fictions which nobody cares a farthing for: ho spoke of tho people having lest confide:)'' , in tho Government to such an extent thai they aro alarmed about their money ;n the IV>st Office Savings Bank. In the good old "Liberal ,, days, ho contended, iho Post Office had regu-

larly f.;ipplied the Government with a miihon a year. Mr Rhodes, in his replr. «lispD.;od of tins ridiculous argument very completely, in 1003 tho deposits exceeded withdrawals by only £-2->(] ; !.O'), and in 1009 by only £•] 10,000. In one ■'Liberal' , year the withdrawals even exceeded the deposits. But Mr Rhodes's .statement is specially interesting for its proof oi continued prosperity and publir confidence in spit© of the war. Thiring tho September quarter just past, the deposits exceeded withdrawals by £ioi,Boo.

made a most telling exposure of German ideas of administering justice, contrasting them with the absolute, fairness of British. Courts, lie continued— 'Is not the preservation of tho priceless blessings of freedom and justice for tho millions under tho King's sway a sacred trust which lies on all of* us —men and women? If it is, -we must realise that it depends, and depends only, on keeping ourselves strong enough to prevent Germany defeating us, and then forcing her system and her 'justice' on our people, as she forces them on unprotected foreigners in her hands, and on her conquered provinces. Sho hopes at tho most suitable moment to array against us in suppc>i of her demands, as sho did against Kus.sfa. in IdOS. so formidable a force, nnval and military, as will, by its mero threat, impel us to ignoble acceptanco- of her Terms. Failing that, her forces -will be ready to attack."

Of Captain Hertrand Stewart, i" maj indeed, bo said that "tic. being dead, yft spcaketh." His written and printod. words remain to show us what wo have to export if. through any laxity on our port, we allow ourselves to bo vanquished in this war. Above all, wo have his noble example to nerve and inspire us, and it will lead thousands of Britons to resolve, iiTco this gallant Scottish gentleman, that they will ho faithful unto death in tho battle against German militarism, despotism, and injustice.

Xo doubt it is natural enough that the Mayor 4 should bo smarting a little under the criticisms which accompanied the public's indignation at tho threatened spoiling of Rolleston avenue. Even Mayors, when the thing is patiently explained to them several times, can realise that certain acts, are quite barbarous, and they would not be human if they did not attempt to excuse themselves, for even they do not like to admit having barbarous instincts. Mr Holland may, therefore, be forgiven his testiness. The "critical wiseacres," as he calls the citizens who were shocked at the vandalism which had actually coninienced, rendered tho city a real service. It is useless for Mr Holland, or anyone else, to deny, that if protests had not been made, the avenUe would have been disfigured and the trees mangled in an honest and thoroughly municipal manner, without a single municipal councillor's conscience being disturbed. Instead of snapping our heads off, the Mayor ought to be grateful to tho "wiseacres" for making such a fuss that the avenue will be left unhurt, for it was admittedly the fuss that did it. The public will be glad that the incident has ended satisfactorily, and the Council may console itself that the public will set it right whenever, as it were, its honest., heavy feet threaten the garden beds again.

The promoters of the meeting held yesterday to consider the formation of a new rifle and drill club have every reason to bo pleased with the response made to their appeal to the patriotism of tho community. There is no reason to suppose that this country will bo attacked during this .war, or for very many years to come, but that can' be said without implying that tho risk of such a happening is nil. In any event, tho pacifists inside and outside Parliament notwithstanding, there can be few things more .pernicious, more pregnant of national disaster of more sorts than one, than a continuance ot the thoughtless unpreparedness which, despite our excellent defence system, lias become very nearly a fixed atti-

tude in this country. The movement which took shapo yesterday v will be of infinite value if it leads to a greater seriousness of thought arid action on tho part of tho comiminity. Those who arranged the "meeting, and those tvho enrolled in the new organisation, display a fine spirit iviiich- ought to spread throughout the male population. ~ /

The Expeditionary Force has taken away only a small section.of the Territorials, and a second force will per-

"haps not take away any Jarger number of them, but it is the duty of all men who can do so to prepare themselves for defence, as it will be their duty to defend tho country in the event of attack. There appear to bo come difficulties as to the status of tho new club, and as to the organisation necessary to secure recognition by tho Defence I Department as a genuine part of our defence system. But these difficulties can bo got over later on, and in the ineantimo should not bo allowed to interfere with tho initial progress of a movement which, wisely handled, ought to turn out a very big thing indeed in time. We would rather sco no such movement at all if it wero to be taken up half-heartedly or in any but an iutensoly serious spirit.