The Otago Witness. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1915.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3197, 23 June 1915, Page 47

The Otago Witness. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1915.) THE WEEK.

“Nnnquam allud natura, allud sapientia diilt/* —Juvenal. “Good nature and good sense must ever join."— Pom.

Parliament meets to-morrow, and the

Parliament and Politics.

general anticipation—which all will hope may be realised —is for a short and unanimous session. It is

universally admitted that the people of the Dominion are in no mood for party wrangling. Certain clearly defined national and imperial issues, directly connected with the war, are before Parliament, and all minor matters may safely be left over until the time of peace comes once more. Thus the member or members who use their place and privilege in Parliament to precipitate unseemlywrangling, or who strive after a purely party advantage, will have the public displeasure to reckon with. Unfortunately, failing a certain amount of self-control, the political situation is such as to render undesirable discussion and unessential division extremely probable. The return of Mr Jennings, the Opposition candidate at Taumamn'ui, places the parties upon such a basis of practical equality as to render a political truce absolutely necessary if the business of the country is to he transacted efficiently and expeditiously. The Ministerialists now number 41 in a House of 80 members, as against an Opposition of 34 and a Labour party of five. The small majority possessed by the Government over the combined Opposition and Labour forces will bo reduced to the minimum of one vote, when Mr Lang, as is tacitly assumed will be the case, is elected to the Speaker's chair. Obviously under ordinary circumstances ifc would be difficult, if not impossible, for a Government to continue in office by virtue of this slender 1 preponderance of strength; equally, of course, the Opposition could not hope to form a ministry. The only alternative would he another general election, with probably an equally indecisive outcome; and this is the very fiasco which just now would be extremely distasteful to the majority of the electors. The safest way out of the dilemma -would probably be the formation of a Coalition Ministry, but the personal differences which exist between leading members of both parties make the possibility of such an admirable arrangement exceedingly remote. Indeed, the periodical manifestations of these personal differences are exactly the fuel upon which petty party bickering might easily seize, with the result of plunging the Dominion into an atmosphere of party strife. It is to be hoped, therefore, that when Parliament meets, the more inflammatory spirits among the members will hold themselves well in hand, remembering that this is essentially the day for national unity in all things, and that the only fighting justifiable at the present time' is that which is directed towards our common and implacable foe A Germany and the Germans.

All that is needed, a party truce having been proclaimed and ac .

All that is Needed.

cepted, either by a Coalition Ministry, or in some other rvay, is that certain

essential business should transactedthe bulk of this arising duectly out the war. If this arrangement oe auhered to the -Session need not last more tian s ix or at the outside, eignt weeks. Li Minister has already stated that the Government will not introduce any Party contentious legislation ; at the same time 5 some of the Pills to be introduced are certain to provoke discussion. 11 of course, will particularly apply to the proposals to be made by tne Coieiiiment lor the taxation levied to provide for the extraordinary expenditure incurred m consequence of the war. Everyone recognises the necessity for a war tax, but taeio ml probablv be some difference ol opinion aa to the best means to secure an equitable lew, which will not press more hardly upon one section or the community tnau upon the other. In this connection the assurance given by Mr Karoid Leauchamp speaking 3 from the chair of the annua meeting of the Bank of Eew Zealaim, s encouraging. After pointing out that me Avar is costing the Government a considerable sum, and giving it as hm opinion thatprudence and reasonable econo in r are being exercised, he added: “The cost of the Avar must be met by increased taxation. . . . The country is well able to face this increased taxation , indeed, looking at all the circumstances, it was never better fitted to stand suen a pressure.” 'While this may be accepted as true of the community as a whole the utmost care will have to be taken that the incidence of the war taxation is equitably distributed; and it is 311st upon this point that difference of opinion is likely to arise. On this account tne details of the Government’s proposals will be eagerly awaited. Next to the taxation proposals, one of the most important matters to be discussed by Parliament concerns tire provision to be made foi be dependents of those who have given then lives for the Empire, as Avell as the wounded, more or less disabled, and therefore handicapped in the future. The pensions provided for in the Defence Act of 1909 are admittedly inadequate, and public opinion is undoubtedly favourable to increasing these allowances upon toe most liberal scale. This is a • national matter which should have the support o all parties in Parliament. There are other minor matters such for instance, as an amendment to the Laud Bill, making it possible for soldiers on active service to participate in land ballots, Avnich amII engage the attention of members; but given the sinking of all purely party and personal differences, there is no valid reason whv the new session of Parliament* should not be at once amicable and useful. If members will strive to curb then tongues, and act with restraint, this happy result may successfully be achieved.

One of the few bright gleams cast across a . darkened horizon is con-

An Optimistio Outlook.

taincd in the speech delivered by Mr Harold Beauchamp at the annual

meeting of the Bank of New /Ica 1 an<l. and to° which we have already briefly referred. Mr Beauchamp is one oi the foremost authorities in the Dominion upon economic and financial matters, and his annual review of the existing situation carries great weight. Eminently sane in finance and conservative to a degree in economic questions, Mr Beauchamps opinion is universally esteemed, and his guidance is generally trusted. It is in the highest degree gratifying that the chairman of directors of the leading financial institution in the Dominion should be able to catch a glimpse of a bright future for this Dominion, despite the darkening clouds of war in which at present the world is enveloped. Following a reference to the vast economic problems which the civilised world will be called upon to face in consequence of the staggering expenditure, and widespread destruction brought about by the titanic struggle nowproceeding, Mr Beauchamp said, and his words merit emphasis : —“ln these Islands our position is a highly favoured one. The horrors of this war—-the most distressing of all wars —are known to us practically only through the newspapers. But for the fact that some, of the best of our manhood has gone forth to do battle for the Empire, and that the list of our dead and wounded is a long one, we should be almost unaffected by the momentous struggle that is in progress on the other side of the world. Indeed, it may be truly said that we are actually benefiting by the tragic events that are being enacted, inasmuch as the war demands have sent up the prices of our staple products to a level never before touched in recent years.” Mr Beauchamp also said that while the end of the war is likely to be followed by heavy taxation and unemployment in the countries where the actual fighting is being carried on, he considered that this Dominion would continue to find a remunerative market for her produce in Great Britain, the Continent of Europe, and the United States of America. “It would he unreasonable,” he declared, “to expect the abnormal rates at present ruling for the articles enumerated, but there is little doubt that the demand which will then exist for onr primary products will enable ns to face ■ the future with equanimity and assist us in discharging the heavy liabilities we have directly undertaken in connection with the war.” Such a deliverance is calculated to hearten the farming community, and to incite them to a more fervent patriotism and to a deeper loyalty than they have at present, evinced. Mr Beauchamp has a vision after the war of a similar revival in industry and commerce as followed the close of the Napoleonic wars in the early part of the .Nineteenth Century. In such a revival New Zealand, by reason of her resources and configuration, should play a prominent part, and the rising generation may have reason for great gratitude for all the

blessings to follow in the Avake of this great war.

As the weeks go by without any decisive issue in any 7 of the theatres

Another Week ot War.

of AA'ar, it is becoming conclusivelv evident that Lord

Kitchener’s original estimate of a three years’ Avar aauis not Avithout reason. Indeed, as the months puss the prospects of peace appear to recede still further and further aAvay 7 . The past Aveek’s operations, in so far as they stand revealed in the cablegrams, do not indicate any A'ery substantil advance on the part of the Allies. Certainly the French forces north of Arras appear to have had the advantage in recent skirmishes, but the fact lias to be faced that the French offensive is retarded orving to the unpreparedness of the British in the matter of munitions. And all that General French is able to do is to repulse the several offensive movements on the part of the German generals. This is the more to be regretted since the Russians arc hardly pressed in Galicia, and a vigorous British offensive in Flanders would go far to remove that pressure. MeanAvhile Lemberg is severely threatened, and there is immediate danger of that important strategic post falling into German hands. In the Dardanelles a species of deadlock has been reached, for, as the cable states: “The storming of Achi Baba is a difficult problem. The mountains present a series of smooth slopes, terraced at intervals, and these are as difficult,to mount as the glacis of an old-fashioned fort.” All things considered, it is perhaps as well that for the moment the people of New Zealand —the non-combatants at least—have their attention diA’erted from the problems of the Avar, and that they are occupying themselves in devising means for raising funds for the help of the wounded soldiers. Some of the methods employed for raising this money 7 may appear incongruous in vieAV of the object aimed at, but it is evident that the people are disguising their real feelings beneath this shoAV of lightheartedness. Given the opportunity, there are but few of the young people of New Zealand Avho would not gladly go to the front in some capacity or another. This being denied them, they are delighted to render assistance where it seems most needed, and this is the explanation of the enthusiasm displayed in connection with the Queen Carnival.