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Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1918, Page 2

It is to be hop. it our readers enjoy*« reading the outspoken reply of iUi -i. ±. M. liornsby, M.lk, published t.uother day, in regard to the appeal ..i som» well-meaning Christchurcli ladies for tue fate of ‘‘conscientious objectors.’’ It was a sweeping answer to all the namby-pamby excuses poured out for tlm and all those endeavouring to elude military service in this time of national service. Mr Hornsby's utterances might well be placarded over all Hew Zealand—and further afield for the matter of that. His reply came at an opportune moment too, just when tire nation is at life and death grips for its existence. Perhaps at this distance from the seat, of war, folk comfortably settled and enjoying the pleasures of life anil (lie freedom of living without any abatements, do not realise the actual import to them of the struggle to the death now going forward oil the West-

ern Front. But their liberty and freedom is at much sit. stake as that of France and Belgium, and other countries involved, if the Allies fail to hold the enemy and beat them back. The time is not ono when people should be looking for excuses to avoid service, but rather should they accept the reasons for full and ready service. It. would be interesting to know what, rs the fat© of; the “ conscientious objector ” in Germany. Probably it is not difficult, to gunge the fate of the man who 'disobeys military orders in Germany. 'Hie populace are so well organ, isod iii Germany that the. enemy continues to be a grave menace to all the world. The Allies have been, slow in taking a leaf otit of Germany’s book in

the matter of national organisation, but never were Hon. Lloyd George’s words about going on or going ender more true than at the present moment. Yet it is at such a time we have these wails for the shirkers. Truly Mr Hornsby has spoken opportunely.

Attached to the conditions of a sale of timber on Crown Lands in the Nelson district, shortly to take place, is the following clause: “White pine (Kahikatea) must not bo exported, but is to bo disposed of for the benefit of the dairying and other industries within the dominion.” From this it would appear that the Government is bent on carrying through the policy adopted so j secretly in this matter. All the expert I reports before the Government, includI ing the Forestry Commission and Board of Trade are against the proposal, because of the waste and loss imposed on ■ the industry, to say nothing of the un_ j fairness to the individual miller. At present there are reciprocal arrangej merits between Australia and New Zca- ’ land in regard to hard-woods and white j pine. These arrangements will bo jeopardised, and if discontinued will adversely affect this country, because'Australian hardwoods are of such value. The Government action in this matter is very short-sighted, for it will impose ! a groat waste in regard to a valuable asset. Only limited percentage of a j white pine tree is available for dairying, | and the new condition imposed involves a wasteful policy which will he the loss 'of both the miller and the country. The Government solicitation for me farmer is as much marked in this as in other respects of late, suggesting a class consideration that is at once unfair to the community as a whole. The Government seem to be at the beck and call of organised farming interests.There is no suggestion as a quid pro ’ quo for this preferential treatment in regard to white pine, that the Govern- ’ jnent will compel the dairymen to sell ! his butter for tenpence a pound where ' produced,, hut this is the demand which will he made sooner or later if the I Government desire to he consistent in their policy of attempting to control supply and demand.