Arrowtows. February 8, 1917.

Lake County Press, Issue 2668, 8 February 1917, Page 4

Arrowtows. February 8, 1917.

It is with deep regret that we record the deatli of the Hon. Dr M'Nab, who died on Saturday night. He had been ill for four weeks, suffering from pleurisy, from which up to nearly the time of his death he appeared to be recovering, although very slowly. The end came suddenly with an attack of heart trouble. Dr M'Nab was born in Southland in 1804. Ho was educated at Invercargill Grammar School and Otago University, where he had a distinguished career. He obtained the B.A degree in 1888, and the senior mathematical scholarship of the New Zealand University, and graduated M.A., with honours in mathematics aud physics, in 1881. In 1890 he gained the LLC*, degree, and was called to the bar in 1889. He entered politics in 1898, and at the general election in that year he won the Mataura seat. He was defeated at the next election, and regained the seat in 1898, holding it until the election of 1908, when, as Minister of Lands in the Ward Ministry, he was defeated, hia defeat being attributed partly to his Land Bill but mainly to dairy regulations which had emanated from his department. He afterwards received the LL.D., and re-entered Parliament as member for Hawke's Bay. A more honourable man never entered Parliament, and to the last ho retained the respect aud affection of his fellow members on both sides of the House. But the memory of the decoased elatesmau will be preserved by his literary rather than by his political achievements, though the latter are worthy of him and were much appreciated by his party. His splendid works in the field of historical research will live as long as the country that gave him birth, and be more aud more valued as the years roll by. At last! After marvellous patience, unexampled in the whole history of nations, the United States has broken off relations with Germany. At the time of writing there has been no declaration of war, but Couut Bern, storff has been handed his passports and Mr Gerard has been recalled from Berlin. German interned ships have been seized by the American Government, and there is great activity in making all necessary preparations for national defence. All these acts are acclaimed by the American people and press- by the vast majority of the people and their newspapers. Such is the outcome of the latest German note to America announcing the new submarine " sink-at-sight " policy, which has been in full swing for some weeks, and which is virtually a challenge to the whole world. It is said that the American President is " waiting for an ■ overt act" "before formally declaring ' war on Germany and beginning an offensive. Surely there have been "overt acts" enough during the past few weeks. What is Mr Wilson waiting for ? The sinking of auother i Lusitania ? There is no need to wait. ; German policy is boldly declared, viz , ' to sink any ship at sight within the , war zone, and it is boldly carried out. i All the neutral nations should at once I unite in a war on Hun submarines. ' Probably most if not all the neutrals ' will follow the lead given them by I \ America. <