LEARNING THE LESSON

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 92, 16 October 1915, Page 12

LEARNING THE LESSON

TAKE THE GLOVES OFF. Writing to the secretary of the British Immigration League, Sydney (Mr. H. E. Easton) from the London War Office, on ' 20th August, ail official says: — "The German power is at its zenith. Our time will come, and in all probability about the time this letter will be due in Sydney there will be a great; forward movement on the western frontier. But what a ghastly business this lack of preparation has been. And it is pitiful reading, that thousands and thousands of our best and bravest now in their graves might have been alive had our Empire (especially the United Kingdom) taken heed of the warnings which Lord Roberts gave us during the past ten years, and made the necessary preparation. "In districts especially liable to fire, no one but a fool would neglect to adequately insure. But the Empire, knowing it had been existing for several year* past over a boiler likely to suddenly explode, was content to allow its trading community to go on adding dollar tv dollar, and its politicians, at the direction or suggestion of our enemies, to very seriously reduce the most effective and needed branch of the army, i.e., the artillery. "We are still fighting with kid gloves, and, as the conflict is not a boxingmatch, they will yet have to come off. Had our politicians been game enough to have proclaimed Lord Kitchener as Dictator from the commencement until the end of the war, cotton would have been declared contraband and the North Sea. closed. Feeling sorry for American cot-ton-growers, and other trade and vested interests, has sacrificed good lives and millions of money Germany at war does not care for vested or any other in terests, or anything else that may cross her path. We can well take a lesson from her in the way she places the needs of her fighting men above those of noncombatants. There is, perhaps, some consolation in knowing that as matters politically were going, had this war come ten yeajrs later, the chances are that nothing could have saved the British Empire, especially the far-distant Dominions. I wonder if the lesson will be learned? "After the late South African War/ as you know, 1 had a great deal to do for the Government over the unemployed question, which Teached a crisis during 1905-6-7. Are we going to profit by the bitter experience gained then? Unless the lands of the Empire are organised and utilised, I fear not. Can no one explain that the history of every great war shows that enterprise, capital, and progress are crippled for years? After the close of this great upheaval who will have money to purchase goods? People at home are to-day making plenty of money in connection with the wax, but it is well to remember that the free and lavish expenditure of borrowed money indicates, a fictitious prosperity for the time being only. There are many cases of work-people here who previous to the war were making from 20s to 40s per week, and are now receiving from 60s to 144s per week. I fear many are not saving much for the lean years ahead. "Directly or indirectly to-day there are close on twenty millions of people in the public service, or receiving their livelihood from the State. As soon as the war ceases a very large proportion of their work will cease, and then what will the outlook bs for them? The very thought should ka-wiflicieni -J-o m*k*£li«

most callous or indifferent person reflect. To-day we have about three millions of the Prince of Wales's Fund left. This sum would not last a week in doles, and I do not think the public would raise another five millions for any cause. And yet the cost of two weeks' war could easily find employment and homes (not charity) on our lands for over a million families, if properly employed. I hope you will bring the contents of tnis communication before the board of the British Immigration League Nevjr will the league have a grander or widir field for its^ activities. £et me know liow its campaign in favour of land settlements in Australia is progressing.".