The Dominion THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1915. THE SPARTAN SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2502, 1 July 1915, Page 4

The Dominion THURSDAY, JULY 1, 1915. THE SPARTAN SPIRIT

Mr. Asquith's powerful appeal in support oi a national movement in favour of economy, though mainly directed to the peoplo of the United Kingdom, deserves the serious consideration of British communities in all parts' of the world. Wastefulness is never a virtue. In a time like the present, when the waging of a world-shaking war is placing a heavy strain on the financial _ resources of the Empire, it is a crime. Never has the need for economy been more urgent than it is now, and the British War Loan provides a fine opportunity for the great mass of tlic people of Britain to lend a. jiortion of their savings to their country. It is satisfactory to know that the "loan, as a financial instrument, is absolutely secure"; but the Government still has a gigantic money problem to solve. ' The nation will ha-ve a tremendous war bill to pay, and it cannot afford to indulge in unnecessary expenditure of any kind. The practice of self-denial for' the good of the Empire has become the imperative duty of every British citizen. It is well that the people who stay at home should_ have a taste of the Spartan life with which our soldiers have become so familiar. The men at the front tells us that it is "hard but good." Mr. Asquith reminded his hearers at the Guildhall that "all money spent on superfluous comforts and luxuries means tho diversion of energy better employed iii the national interest." Plain lining and high thinking is an Excellent motto for war time. The urgency of the need for thrift will bo realised when it is borne in mind that the vast sum of £1,100,000,000 has to be raised in Britain for financing the operations of the war. This fact was mentioned by Mr. Lloyd George in a speech in the House of Commons in May last. It is not merely a question of finding the money, but of doing so in such a manner as will, not do injury to thf country after the struggle is over. Mr. Lloyd George contended that the most prudent policy was to depend more largely on the income of the nation, "The State, in carrying through a great war like this, must primariij depend on the savings of the community." In times of peace the savings of the people of the United Kingdom are estimated at between £300,000,000 and £'100,000,000 per annum. The national savings ought to be largely increased with the increased'earnings of the people due to the war. As pointed out by the London Times, it is on the nation's ability to contribute out of income, economically increased and economically saved, that the solution of the financial problem must depend. The British Empire might with advantage take a lesson from Germany in the matter. of economy. The German authorities have taken stringent measures for the repression of all forms of wastefulness. The resources of the country are being very carefully husbanded, and the State has taken the necessary steps for obtaining the use of the sayings of the people, rich and poor alike. Some people have been too much inclined to .pour ridicule •;« the efforts which are being made in Germany to encourage thrift, and to regulato the food supply. ■ Tho necessity for these precautions may bo a sign of weakness, but the spirit of self-sacrifice which makes them endurable is a most valuable national asset. At. the beginning of the present year a manifesto to the evangelical clergy of Germany urged them to impress upon those who remain at home the duty of "serious frugality in housekeeping aDd a reverence towards the daily bread"; and to call upon the people to exercise in their manner of life the same active principle of self-sacrifice which 'is Doing exhibited by the men in the field. Waste of bread-corn is stigmatised as "a disgrace in view of the bloodv sacrifices" of the German soldiers. The Professor of Political Science and Economy at Kiel University concludes a passionate appeal to his country with these words: "Your sensual desires or your criminal thoughtlessness must not be allowed to imperil the future of the German people." _ A placard issued by the Municipality of Charlottenburg lays down the following rules for the prevention of waste: Be sparing -with bread, so that the hopes of our enemies, who wish to 6tarve lis out like the inhabitants of a beueged fortress, may be disappointed. Teach your children also to do this. Do not rejeot a piece of bread merely because it 16 not fre9h. Do not out a single slice of bread more than you want to oat. Bat war bread (a mixture of potato and other flour). It fills and nourishes as well as any other. Boil potatoes in their jackets; you wilt save by this. Do not throw away uny scraps of vegetables or meat, but keep them for fodder. The peasants will be glad to fetch the stuff. Fortunately the fpod supplies of the British Empire are sufficient to meet its needs. It is not necessary for us to resort to some of the drastic expedients which have been adopted in Germany. But we have ample scope in other directions for the exercise of the same spirit of self-sacrifice. Germany has been organised for war more thoroughly and scientifically than our own Jiiiipirc. We now realise more fully than, we did when the struggle began that the whole nation must be mobilised—its wealth, its thinking power, its labour, and its moral forces—and not only its Army and Navy. Every individual must do his share. There must be no neutral Britishers. The man who is not £ov bis country is apaingt. it, The man who denies himself luxuries

in order that lie may invest his savings in Britain's "great democratic" War Loan is helping to defeat the enemy. We have no right to cxpect to win this war unless we are prepared to make sacrifices at least as great as those which the Germans are making.