The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1916.

Evening Star, Issue 16236, 4 October 1916, Page 4

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1916.

It was much easier for Germany to “will this war ” —the words German are those of Maximilian Peaca Harden—than she is Advocates. finding it to “will peace.” It has been burned into our souls during these latt twenty-six months that there was nothing in our Christian civilisation, nothing in that which had come to us as the heritage of the ages, to prevent Kings and Governments from dishonoring their treaties and ravaging their near neighbors’ territory and homes with every inconceivable method of outrage and violation. To do what Germany has done, given tho material power to carry it through, was, we have long since learned to our own shame, comparatively simple. No insuperable barrier had been raised as the outcome of nineteen centuries of Christian teaching between the German will to war and tho translation of that will ifito action. All that had gone before was as nought. Once Germany, through her rulers, had decided upon war, and to wage that war in such fashion that those against whom she fought should have nothing left them but their eyes wherewith to weep over the abomination of desolation everywhere around, this civilisation of ours was powerless to stay her hand by as much as a single hair’s breadth. The blow had to fall, and an indignant and assaulted civilisation could do nothing but answer back in kind. It is a humiliating confession, but the fact remains. There was nothing in the then world’s social, political, and religious faith that was strong enough to stay the hand of the arch-enemy. He had fallen back upon the sword—having first contemptuously trampled upon anything and everything in the way of law, whether human or divine —and to the sword also a momentarily affrighted Christendom had to turn, and to rely on it, though in part only. “ And ■wherefore not ?” demanded the All Highest War Lord with supercilious insolence. “Is “it not my Royal and Imperial command? “The voice of the Lord our God hath ‘ ‘ spoken it, and I 'confirm it. My right “ to rule was accorded me by the will of “God alone, and not by Parliament, or by “ any assemblage of the people, or by “popular vote; and I look upon myself “as the chosen instrument of Heaven, and “as such perform His duties asregentaud “sovereign.”

There is, however, another side to the shield. It was in Germany’s power to destroy; but it is not given to her to heal, nor even to say, short of utter and complete submission, ' when the healing process shall begin. Germany to-day—the same Germany that in the midsummer of 1914 started upon a sanguinary career of world violence and destruction—wants peace; and, to her unutterable amazement, she has discovered that the representatives of those armies that in her blindnessshe believed were lying gasping in their death agonies at her feet have answered back that she cannot and shall not have it. Peace, Germany now hears in a daze of half-comprehending stupor, is too precious and desirable a thing for Germany to lay her foul hands upon. Peace is a something that is terrible as well as glorious, and that can only come to Germany in ways and forms that will for all time constitute a warning to evildoers. Germany, so far, has not learned this. Her statesmen continue to assert that they want and are ready for a state of being which they call “peace,” but of the one and only peace that is possible for them to have they apparently know nothing. They continue to talk as though there has but to be a conference, a discussion on giving and taking, then an “ arrangement,” and the whole to bo followed as soon as may be by a renewal of preparations for yet another savage outburst. Xot by this path will Germany -find a way out. Germany has first to recognise facts, and then to adapt herself to them by the best means she has at her command. There is no road to peace by way of tlio submarine. Her fee-faw-fum threats will not avail her; they leave the’ .Navy and the Empire unmoved. These have a fair idea of what she can do in this relation, and they do not fear the cOneaquences. This world is not going to ha cowed by threats of what Germany may seek to attempt in the way of ruthlessness, nor is that part of it known as the United States of America likely to be influenced by the specious reasonings of Herr Dernburg or the Scriptural quotations of that brilliant intellectual known to a mocking world as the Crown Prince of Germany. A travelling German statesman who appeals to America to be reasonable, and not to get angry because Germany (in order to bring that wicked woriddisturber, England, to peace) proposes to sink as many passenger ships and women and children as she can, will not, even in the heat of a Presidential campaign, receive a very cordial welcome; while the Pvoyal insinuation that American sympathy vvith the Allies has no higher basis than that of cash will evoke disgust even from the proprietor of the yellow journal that gave it publicity. The spectacle of these men and of the Imperial Chancellor and their Kaiser mouthing Scripture ami urging diabolical methods in order’ that they may glut their hatred of England and her Allies would he too repulsive for words •were it not so much in harmony with everything that has preceded st. Tha Crown Prince should take warning by his father, and leave the Bible alone. Another writer, whose name is not unknown to him, has said : The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul, producing holy witness. Is like a villaijmwith a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart. 0 what a goodly outside falsehood hath 1 Peace is not for such as these. They can give us war and infamy and death, but not their opposites; and the world, knowing this, is not looking to Germany.

A maintenance case, called and adjourned, was the only business transacted in the City Police Court this morning. Air Widdowson, S.M., presided. Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs:—The training of girl telegraphists in New Zealand is how proceeding at each of the chief centres, and the heads of the telegraph branch of the Postal Department state that as far as they can see the petticoated Operators are going to be a success. The 'innovation was forced upon the department by the shortage of male operators due to the war. The drain upon the staff of the telegraph branch during the last two years has been very severe. A wireless company has been formed and maintained, many men acquainted with the Morse code and telegraph methods have been supplied for service, with the Expedi-

tionary Forces, and other men have left the service of the department in'order to join various reinforcements. The shortage of operators is felt severely in all the chief centres at the present time, and it explains tho complaints some users of the telegraph have made lately. Dr Malcolm and Dr Inglis provided an interesting evening for members of the Otago Institute last night in their respective papers on ‘Rennet’ and ‘Motor Fuels.’ The former hold special interest in present circumstances when the cheese industry of the Dominion is faced with a shortage of rennet. Dr Malcolm said that his experiments (though not quite completed yet) had convinced him that a great saving in the use of rennet could be effected by having regard to its action at varying temperatures. Thus, a small amount used anywhere between freezing point and 46 degrees Fahr; would produce (when the milk was warmed up) the same effect as a larger amount used at higher temperature. Moreover, the lecturer pointed out, rennet could be taken from the stomachs of lambs as Avell as from the stomachs of calves. He believed that the Government should undertake the standardisation of the rennet used, when manufacturers would know exactly how much to add to milk of given acidity, and the quality of cheese would tend to be more uniform. He agreed with Mr G. M. Thomson that if ° was a disgraceful thing that lactose should have been going to waste from the choeso factories for so long: but in reply to Mr Thomson’s question as to the possibility of lambs’ rennet being saved by the freezing companies, he stated that when the lambs were killed there they had reached the grass-eating stage, and the rennet had almost disappeared. Dr Inglis's remarks on ‘ Motor Fuels ’ contained matter that should provide food for thought to tne City Council. He expressed bis surprise that the manufacturers of gas did not think it worth while to make use of the coal tar products, which could be quite easily removed, and whose removal would improve the quality of the tar. As it was, the valuable spirits, benzole and tolnole, which could be used here in the motor industry, or sent Home for the manufacture of explosives, were simply allowed to escape into tho air. Another possible fuel was alcohol derived from potatoes or from the distillation of wood. _ Large quantities of sawdust and saw-mill refuse could be made to yield a valuable motor spirit. The meeting was presided over by Dr Marshall. ° Mr Paulin telephoned at 2 p.m. ; Strong S.E. to N.E. winds: fine for 24 hours. Fletcher Bros. Ltd., of Dunedin, have taken_ over tho contract for the erection of M hitcombe and Tombs’ big premises in Auckland, at the corner of High and Durham streets. °

On difc that the Health Department contemplates establishing a mental hospital at Lyttelton, and making provision therein for a class of patients whose representatives can afford to pay for increased attention and comfort. This is surely a new departure, but in these undemocratic days so many strange things are done that we are past being surprised at anything. Evidence at the inquest on John Finlay at Christchurch yesterday showed that there had been shouting in the hots! m which the incident leading up to his death happened. The Coroner (Mr Bishop) remarked to the police: “Of course yon will take notice of the scandalous proceedings in this licensed house with regard to treating.” The Senior Sergeant: “The police have that in hand.” “To my mind,” said Mr Bishop, “the person who deliberately breaks the law in this manner by pershouting deserves the severest condemnation, and the person who condones the offence, too, is just as bad. The State made this law for a set purpose, and those who transgress it at this time of tension should be punished severely.” They say that at some of the hotels in the main streets of Dunedin the bar takings are reduced by £3O or £4O per week as the result of the anti-shouting legislation. The other houses, towards the edges of the city and, in the suburbs, are not feeling the change very much. Interesting exhibits of flies, some of which were of great value as parasites attacking our worst insect pests, were laid on the table by Mr G. M. Thomson and Mr Howes at last night’s meeting of the Otago Institute. Specimens of Ostrea hyotis have been forwarded to the Christchurch Museum by Mr Howard Tripp, of Tiinaru. These were obtained, by fishermen dredging off Timavii in_ 25 fathoms. The Cstrea hyotis is a fairly large oyster, about the size of the Stewart If-land variety, but not so well flavored. It has only been obtained before off New Zealand by -dredging in the Marlborough Sounds in 16ft of water, though it has a fairly wide range from the Indian Ocean. The securing of these specimens goes to show what results might be obtained if a system of dredging were gone on with round the Mew Zealand coastline The specimens secured were submitted to Mr H. Suter, the Government Concholo-gi-st, for identification.

In these days when petrol is scarce and needed in ever-increasing quantities at the front, considerable interest attaches to the properties of other possible motor fuels, and Dr Inglis threw some interesting light on the subject in his lecture to the Otago Institute last evening. Amongst "other, possible sources of satisfactory fuel, the professor discussed alcohol and acetone, an* afterwards Mr G. M. Thomson suggested thatfcthe Government should consider the manufacture of alcohol (mixed with other things to make it undrinkable) in a form suitable for use as a motor spirit.

! Tlie City Pure Brigade were summoned at 8.30 last evening to No. 40 Heriot row, a six-roomed dwelling owned and occupied by Mr John Scurr. It appears that earlier in the evening one of the children set a hat on fire, which Mr Scurr put outs Ap- ; patently the article smouldered and caused the outbreak, which was confined to the dining room, store room, hall, and a portion of the roof. The furniture was insured for £l5O in the Standard and the building in the Norwich Office for £275 Referring to a recent message regarding Sir E. Shackleton’s statement on the relief of the Ross Sea party, the Hon. Dr M ! Nab (Minister of Marine) states that the position of ,the Aurora is that the British Government have decided to find half the cost of fitting out the vessel, Australia and New Zealand making up the balance. It has been decided that Captain Davis, who accompanied Captain Scott on his last voyage, shall command the relief expedition. Evidently Sir E. Shackleton is unaware of what is being done. In her capacity as a relief ship, the Aurora has no connection with the expedition except that she is being sent to relieve the marooned party. Captain Davis is expected to reach New Zealand nest week, and the Aurora will probably sail for Ross Sea early in December. The Bruce County Council yesterday decided to forward to the Hon. .Tames Allen a resolution similar to that passed by other local bodies in the Dominion, congratulatory of the stand taken by Mr Lloyd George (Minister of Munitions) in regard to peace suggestions. Together With this resolution will be an expression of hgjie from the people of the Bruce County, through their representatives, that no ou't,side interference will he tolerated when the question of peace terms comes up for consideration, and that only the Allies’ re-, presentatives will dictate the terms of peace. The Hon. Mr Allen is to be asked to forward this ccnununication to Mr Lloyd George.

_ Brigadier-general Sir A. W. Robin, Commandant of the New Zealand Defence Forces, in company with Colonel J- Cowie Nichols, visited the headquarters of the local Red Cross and other patriotic societies to-day. A ■witness in the shipwrights’ dispute, h , ea . r “ *>y the Arbitration Court to-day, stated that he had had to replace more tools this year than any other year of nis experience. These were not legitimate replacements, the result of wear and tear. Aar work had attracted strangers. The tools had disappeared. Gifts of cut flowers, plants, buttonholes, sweets, home-made cakes, c"cs unit, etc., are asked for Flower Dav. and will he received at the Moruington'Council Chambers to-morrow afternoon and evening from 7.30 o’clock. The smallest u 'hl be thankfully received, and will help _ towards the comforts for our boysc It is hoped the ladies will respond <» w ith their usual generosity, niost noticed k> thing,” remarked tile Rev. F, II Jeffreys at yesterday’s meeting of the Discharged Prisoners’ Aid biicictv _ (cays Saturday’s Auckland ‘Herald ), ‘is the large number of men who,on being discharged, have enlisted for active service and have ‘made good.’ It is fins to see men, many of whom have fallen through drink, recognise their duty to I their country as soon as tliev have been given their liberty.’ Mr W. Brackenrig probation officer, said all discharged prisoners who had volunteered 'had not been accepted. Notwithstanding, he knew of quite a number of men who had clone well on donning khaki. The chairman (Mi- C. Hud con) said he had it from a prominent prison official, who had had years of service, that ever 80 per cent, of the men in the prisons to-day owed their downfall to at ink. “ I think he is not far from tho truth,” added Mr Hudson. “If the drink evil could bo combated I believe it would not be long before the prisons would bo nearly empty.” New season’s photographic goods: Excellent stock now arriving. Cameras from 6s. Send your order early to H. J. Gill, 11 and 13 Frederick street, Dunedin. ’Phone 1,144. —[Advt.] Watson's No. 10 is a little dearer than most whiskies, but is worth the money.— [Advt.] The first free loan of £SOO of the No. 2 group of the Otago Mutual Starr-Bowkett Society will be balloted for to-morrow evening. Persons can still get shares. ' Speight’s ale and stout aro acknowledged by the Dominion public to be the best on the market.—[Add.] The sale of work in connection with St. Mary’s, Mornington, will be opened tomorrow evening by Mr C. E>. Statham, M.p. The hall will be open for business in the afternoon also, and on Friday afternoon and evening. Dunedin thinkers; Try ‘ The Thinker’s Favorite’ Writing Tablets (registered brand). 6d and Is each. Covers contain Shakespeare’s best philosophy. Splendid value. Duncan and Simpson, booksellers and stationers.—[Advt.] The Roslyn-Kaikorai Women’s Association have organised a daffodil fete and sale of work. It is to be held in the Salvation Army Hall, Eoslyu, to-morrow afternoon and evening. The Kaikorai Baud will play in the evening. This association are doiim splendid work, and no doubt the residents ol the district will take advantage of this opportunity to show the members that they appreciate their self-sacrificing labors. Problem: Which whisky is best? Buy Watson’s No. 10, and see if it is not finest you ever tasted.—[Advt.]