TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 51, 28 August 1914, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Some time back many millions of people fchroughou t the world had reason to exclaim, "Made in Germany," to the war which her ally, Austria, set in motion by the imperious ultimatum to Servia. Much evidence towards the conviction of the Kaiser and his ambitious advisors has been set before the public from day to day, and' further information is available to-day. The Financial News has declared that a German conspiracy to engineer a depression of British securities began some months ago.- The unmistakable implication is that the Germans felt sure, some time back, that their ''world policy" would precipitate war in the near future, and they anticipated that Britain would be necessarily arrayed against them. This revelation should have the thoughtful attention of those whose first impulse may have been to take alarm at the depreciation of securities. However, the plot is doomed to failure. Even before the brave thousands of Britain's best manhood took their place beside the French, the public had steadily grown accustomed to the state of war, and business was recovering from the effects inseparable from the sudden outbreak of a European conflict. Those signs have been noted by observant New Zealanders, who decline to allow their wits to be stampeded by bogeys. Several speakers, including Ministers, in the House .of Representatives last night, expressed plain common-sense in reference to the much-improved outlook. Of course, some persons, of exceptionally nervous, apprehensive temperament, may hug their fears all the closer if somebody tries to banish them. Such timid folk may imagine that reassuring words are given without warrant, and are merely intended to create a sense of false security. It is, perhaps, futile to argue with such pessimists, who, we believe, are but a small fraction of the adult population. "Preference is given to single men," the military authorities have said in regard to complaints that not sufficient precautions have been taken against the inclusion of family men in the Expeditionary Force. It is stated that every effort will be made to exclude such volunteers unless they can furnish proof of adequate provision for dependents. A careful scrutiny is a prime necessity, in justice to the general public as well as in fairness to the families. The British Empire is not in desperate plight to-day ; the time has not yet come to despatch New Zealand husbands and fathers to battlefields twelve or thirteen thousand miles away from their homes. We have not the slightest doubt that sufficient numbers of suitable single men are available N to give New Zealand a worthy place among the Mother Country's helpers. Patriotism has to be seasoned with prudence or with ordinary common-sense (which can be a strong basis of sound patriotism). A man with dependents, at this end of the world, can do more good for New Zealand and the Empire — at this stage — by working for his family and sparing something for the great national cause than by taking ship for Europe. The Post's belief is that public opinion is against the acceptance of family men for service abroad until the need of such action can bo Bhown. On present evidence and pro#p«ot» that need .will cob arise.,

A German Financial Conspiracy.

"The end — the high patriotic purpose — justifies the Sunday Concerts, means," may be the argument of" those who defend the use of the Town Hall for Sunday concerts in aid of the Empire Defence Fund. It is understood that, following the precedent established when the management, of the Royal Artillery Band wag allowed to levy a fixed charge for the Sunday performance at the Athletic Park, the promoters of the patriotic entertainment have a similar license from the City Council. The case for a fixed tariff in this enterprise is infinitely better than the one pleaded for a private business venture some months ago, but we adliere^ to our belief that a system of fixed prices for Sunday concerts — especially in the Town Hall— is distinctly undesirable. However, we have no wish to enter into a long controversy on those points at thk time when the citizens have other matters to exercise their minds. Our desire is to remind the earnest, energetic Patriotic Entertainments Committee that considerable sections of the community will be deeply pained if the Sunday scheme is pushed through, despite protests. The objec- j tore may be in a minority, but it is a minority which' will not have its beliefs changed by any"! argument at the majority's command. The Mayor, who is opposed, on personal grounds, to the Sunday project, is also against it in deference to the ordinary rules of sound business in human affairs. His contention is, briefly, .that it will not be beneficial to create unpleasantness and turmoil for the sake of sweeping a few pounds out of the public by a special Sunday effort, and this argument should appeal to reasonable folk among those who do not admit that theSunday schema should give offence to any denomination. It cannot be assumed that if certain money is not bagged on a certain Sunday it will be lost for ever to the Empire Fund. A community has a certain capacity forgiving j if the rate is inordinately speeded up, by all sorts of devices, at one stage a slackening will be inevitable later on.. The present rate of contribution 'throughout New Zealand is remarkably good; we see no reason for extraordinary Sunday shifts to stimulate a very generous public.