The Otago Witness. (WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1918.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 35

The Otago Witness.

(WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1918.) THE WEEK.

WITH WHICH 16 INOOHPORATED «« •OUTHJSBH MEBOOBX.

"Hunquan allud natura, allud sapieetia tflxlfa.* —Jutmkal. "Good nature and food aenae mint «vw Join."-* For*. "America is prepared," says President Wilson, "to spend every The Fear ot ounce of energy in prcsoFamine. cuting the war. We are facing the final phase of the great struggle with Germany. If the xlllies los.e it will set back the world's development a century." The disquieting note in the otherwise heartening effect of this declaration on the pai't of the official head of ■ the great American Republic - is that small, but powerful word of two letters,'"lf." The doubt implied as to the ability of the Allies, even when reinforced by the powerful aid of America, to ulti- i mately defeat and vanquish the military might of Germany may, of course, ; be accepted as a part of the diplomatic camouflage inseparable apparently front the conduct of modern warfare. President Wilson evidently aims at convincing the people of America that they must bo prepared to make great sacrifices and put their full strength into the contest if the . goal l* to be reached; at the,same time • ho may have a doubt somewhere at the j back of his mind that , in spite of everyr i thing that everyone can do, the much- { coveted victory may not be achieved in its full completeness. Whether or no the final phase m the great struggle is-actu-ally at hand may be open to discussion; ' but- there is a consensus of authoritative . opinion that an exceedingly critical point ! in the war has been reached, and that the ' next three months is likely to witness some sensational developments. There are | four avenues along which these develop- j ments may proceed, and it is open to question which of these avemies will first < provide the sensation. The tremendous strides made in tho conduct of war in the j air, the improvement in the speed and calibre of the armed aeroplane, ' together j with the increasing skill and daring of the rival aviators, hold' the promise of gladiatorial combats in the air in the near future. There are not wanting experts who predict that the power or penetration behind the lines and of entrance into enemy countries now possessed by the aviation corps means that the final decision in the war will be given into their hands. Similarly with the submarines; although the U-boat campaign has not yielded to Germany all the results so firmly anticipated, the continuous building of larger and more powerful submarines has taken a tremendous toll of Allied and neutral shipping, and is making the problem of adequate transport an exceedingly difficult one.,' Still, it seems safe to conclude that the!,. Germans have shot their bolt in this respect, and that, so far from increasing, the submarine menace js likely, as the months pass by, to become a decreasing quantity. Tho military situation is difficult to _ forecast: both sides have made and are" making tremendous preparations for the coming conflict, the first' clashes of which are already resounding far and wide. Germany has responded to the adve.it of America irio the field by transferring a large portion of her armies from tho Russian frontier to the West; and competent critics estimate -'that the rival forces arc about equal in number of men and in artillery power. These huge armies, extending across France and Flandors over a wide front. r .ri"ied to the te&th. confronting each oJrier in serried array, present a stuporous-spectacle such as the world has never seen before, and is never likely to see again. The general expectation is that Germany will attack^

nnd she will select that part of the hue held by the diminishing armies of France as furnishing the most vulnerable 'point. Whether this will necessitate a British assault upon the German position is a question which no one can answer; one thing at least is certain, that once the battle is general the slaughter will be terrible and prolonged. Over the hosts prepared to do battle fly the black ravens of famine and pestilence, ready to complete the work of the world's destruction. Everywhere—with New Zealand and Australia perhaps as the solitary exception—there are stories of a shortage of food • the reserves accumulated in the past'years of peace are now well nigh exhausted, and the lessened production will not keep* pace .with the demand, especially when the waste of war is added to the account. Look'where one will today, the outlook is a black one, with scarce a single gleam of light on the horizon.

What Russia is to-day the whole world may be to-morrow; this is The Plight of the uneasy reflection which Russia. comes from a perusal of the latest cable news. Obviously that news must be accepted with a caution, since coming from correspondents with only a limited purview, and who are influenced by the events coming under their immediate notice. In normal times, with a settled government and facilities of transport, it was always a matter of difficulty to secure adequate and correct intelligence of the march of events in Russia; how much more must this be the case, with the forces of anarchy and barbarism in the ascendant, with chaos everywhere prevalent, and with civil war in active operation. That there is widespread disorder and that outrage is rampant is only what might have been expected in view of the mighty transformations now taking place; but that Russia will ultimately emerge from her troubles and eome forth as a free great nation, or more probably as a group of free nations, there seems to be no good reason to doubt. The charges so freely made against Trotsky, Lenin, and other of the Bolshevik leaders of being German agents, bribed with German gold, would seem to lack convincing proof. It is nearer the truth to regard them as idealists, almost to the point of fanaticism . and who deem the only hope for Russia is the overthrow of the existing order. In such a struggle between the have-nots and the haves a good deal of injustice is sure to be done; and a great deal of hardship and suffering will be inflicted upon the innocent; but apart from the temporary advantage gained by Germany in the freeing of her armies in the East for the Western fight, it mav be doubted whether Germany will gain any lasting benefit from the Russian chaos." The internal, disorder must certainly handicap .Germany in any attempt to tap the Russian supply of food and munitions, whilst the danger of the prevalent disaffection crossing the border into Germany itself is self-evident." There are not wanting evidences to show that a Russia in chads will prove a more effectual check to Germany's advance and ambitions than a Russia in arms could possibly do; there yet remains a hope that out of the welter a free Russia of the Russians will ultimately emerge.

New Zealand stands to-day as the most fortunate and well-favoured The Position In land, not only throughout New Zealand, the British Empire, but .probably in the whole civilised world. With the bulk of her pro* duce bought and paid for by the Imperial Government at record prices; with increasing gums of money on deposit at her savings banks; with advantageous investments available in war loans and war bonds, the people as a whole possess a greater spending power than ever, despite heavy taxation and the ever increasing cost of living. This increased spending power is reflected in the crowds of welldresssed women on the streete; the multitude of motor cars rolling along the country roads; the well-filled trains and largely-attended holiday resorts; and the huge investments on the totalisators at every one of the all too-frequent racemeetings. Except for the brave men who have given their lives for the country, and for the equally brave men who have come bacls from the fight maimed and broken for lifo, the war has left■ scarcely a mark or a scar upon the surface of New Zealand's prosperity. At the same time there aie not wanting signs of discontent and> mutterings of dissatisfaction. on the part of certain sections of the people. The difference of opinion, in some quarters acute in the extreme, which has arisen between the returned soldiers and the stay-at-home citizens, in reference to the suggested establishment of Returned Soldiers' Clubs in the chief centres of population, is not _ without its significance. The real point at issue is as to with whom the decision shall rest as to the best mark of gratitude in regard to the men who have fought for the Dominion • . the returned soldiers themselves, or the stay-at-home citizens. The returned soldiers say : "We want a clnb" ; the citizens reply in effect: "We don't think a club will be good for you; we will give you something else." To which the returned soldiers make reply : "We want a club. : ' The ultimate outcome will be interesting to watch, since the discussion implies a trial of strength, the full force of which is not yet. In the unlikely event of a general election at the end of the year, it is probable that a number of returned soldiers may stand for Parliament; and here again fresh friction will appear in the political arena.

The Westcott Settlement is the latest estate to be set asido for returned soldiers. The estate is situated on tho Main road between Beaumont and Roxburgh, two m.'lps and a-half from the post office at Ettriok, in Tuapeka County, and its area is 1855 acres. Tho settlement will be cut up into 20 allotments. Sixteen of these holdings are to bo small, varying from 17 to 57 acres. These are suitable for fruitgrowing, and, presumably, will be used for that purpose. The other four allotments, intended for mixed farming, vary in sizo from 211 acres to 460 acres. It is probable that the Westcott Estate will bo open for application towards the end of next month.

At tho closo of last year the Apia Amateur Operatic Society, which has evidently a very strong military leaven in its ranks, produced Gilbert and Sullivan's most popu-

lar comio opera, "H.M.S. Pinaiore." Amongst tho performers was Private It. D. Newbury, of Dunedin, who filled the role of Dick Deadcye, and of his appearance the Samoa Times says: "Of Private Newbury, in the character of Dick Deadeyc, it would be impossible to speak too highly. He was tho life and soul of the piece from first to last in its comic aspects, and played his part with all the unction of a born comedian. He has, top, a pleasing voice of musical flexibility and strength, as he amply demonstrated in 'You Must Submit,' a fine example of declamatory vocalism, and in his interpretation of 'Kind Captain.' " Tho historio building at the corner ot High and Manse streeta, which is to be pulled down shortly, has been photographed for the illustrated pages of the O'tago Witness. Mr A. Bathgate, who is well versed in the early history of Dunedin, informs i.s that the building was erected for the Dunedin Athenseum and Mechanics' Institute, with the assistance of the Provincial Government. The Athenaeum was located there until its premises in the Octagon were erected. Tho City Council then acquired the building in Manse street, and added the brick portion at the back as a Council Chamber. This was about 1870, as near as Mr Bathgate can remember. The council occupied the premises until the present buildings in the Octagon were ereoted. The Town Board, which preceded the Oifcy Council, and which was dissolved in , 1865, had offices in a building situated near the present position of Cargill's Monument, and was afterwards housed in premises on the east side of Princes street, in the block between Moray place and the Octagon. The total enrolment to date at the Technical High School is 368, which represents an increase of approximately 60 on last year's figures. For the first time for some years the enrolment for the domeatio classes shows a substantial increase,- but the commercial course still attracts nearly twothirds of the pupils. The increase, especially in the commercial department, has necessitated the duplication of classes, for which probably additional teachers will be required. With regard "to" the recent inquiry into the charges made against certain medical boards "by Dr Thacker, M.P., Sir James Allen stated on Saturday (says the Christchurch Press) that he had referred the Court of Inquiry's finding back for certain points to be answered. The report, which had not yet been considered by Cabinet, should, he thought, be available for publication within a few days. Mr J. R. Bartholomew S.M. presided over a short sitting of the Juvenile Ceurt on Moftday, when a boy 14i years of age pleaded "Guilty" to a charge of stealing a gold ring, valued at 10s, the property of Victor Edgar. The facts wore that he found the ring and sold it without trying to find its owner. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon, and, in addition, was placed under the supervision of Mr Axolsen.

Exclusive of Maoris and Cook and other Islanders, the estimated population of the dominion on December 31, 1916, was 549,895 males and 550,668 females —a total of 1,100,563. Including members of Expeditionary Forces, the departures from New Zealand last year ■ exceeded the arrivals by 20,602. The estimated population at last December was 537,260 males and 560,293 females. The latter number 23,033 more than the males for last year, whereos in 1916 they were., only 1773 in excess. These figures show where most of the New Zealand male population has gone.

It is understood (says the Auckland Star) that Senior-sergeant O'Gradyasj is taking action against certain chemists in Waihi in connection with the alleged salo and keeping for salo of alcoholic liquors in a nolioonso* district. Great interest, is. already manifest in the pending prosecutions, and interesting arguments in law are anticipated. It is understood that it will be contended for the first time probably in the history of the dominion that chemists cannot sell or keep for sale alcoholic liquors in nolicensc areas under any circumstances.

The widow of Edward Morris, the Chicago packer, who lately married Mr Francis Neilson, ox-M.P. for the Hyde Division cf Cheshiro, is one of the wealthiest women in the world, her fortune being estimated -at £12,000,000. Colossal as is that figure/however, it is exceeded <by the fortune of Mrs E. A. Harriman, estimated at over £20,000,000, and that of Frau Krupp von Bohlcn, whioh was assessed at £14,000,000 in January, 1914, and must have been consider ably inflated by the war. Next to Frau Krupp, Europe's wealthiest woman would seems to bo Madame Lebandy, who controls £8,000,000, but lives in a modest oneservant flat at Versailles, and devotes most of her income to charity. A married man with eight children was one of tho appellants who came before the First Wellington Military Service Board at Wanganui on Tuesday. Tho appellant, who had a brusque manner, said ho was a shearer, aged 38 years, and resided at Okoia. Tho Chairman (Mr Cooper, S.M.): How many children havo you? —About eight. Are you not sure? —Yes. Where are their birth certificates?—l haven't the money to get them. Captain Walker : How many do you support ?—All except ono at the front. How did you get in this Class A?— It is not my

fault. Mr M'Laren: Unless wo have proof, anyone might como along and say they havo eight children. Appellant: I will bring' them all in to-morrow if you like. Finally the board placed appellant in Glass F, which means he will not be called on for some time.

The Chief Postmaster has been informed that Sir Joseph Ward (Postmaster-general) lias received a cable message from the High Commissioner announcing that eight bags of letters, 16 bags of newspapers, and 51 registered parcels for Dunedin were lost in the Andania, off the Irish Coast. The mail contained correspondence posted between January 23 and 25. A slight shock of earthquake was felt ; n Dunedin shortly before 3 o'clock on Saturday morning. Our correspondent at Roxburgh informs us that a sharp shock was felt in that town about the same time. It was so sever© there that many people were awakened by the creaking of their dwellings. A large substantial shed used by Mr J. C. Pennell, of Roxburgh, in connection with his orchard was totally destroyed by fire on Wednesday night. The origin of the fire is a mystery. About 9 p.m. Mr Pennell was roused by reports of shots outside, and on going out found the shed enveloped in flames. It was impossible to save anything, and the building and all its contents were completely destroyed. Mr Pennell's loss is a severe one. The shed contained a large quantity of cases, several thousand feet of glass, and all the plant and tools used in connection with the orchard. Mr Pennell estimates his loss at £SOO.

An Auckland telegram states that when replying to a deputation urging the importance of various railway works, Sir William Fraser said that his problem was labour more than money. There would be a great scarcity of such labour during the war. He was determined not to pay men more than lis per day. It was the Government's duty to find employment for the soldiers who returned. He could employ 10,000 men now on public works if they were available, but the number now obtainable was only from 1600 to 1700, as compared with from .4000 to 5000 usually employed at this time of the year. The crime of murder has increased 100 per cent, in Arizona since the abolition of the death penalty (says the member of the State Board of Pardons). Homicides have become so common in some of the counties as to occasion concern among law-abiding citizens. In Maricopa county, with a population of 34,488, there were 15 murders in the first 10 months of last year. In the other counties the crime is constantly increasing, this notwithstanding the fact that intoxicating liquor has been practically banished from the State. While there is more or lees illicit traffic in intoxicants, the many murders since prohibition went into effect -cannot be charged to drunkenness. They are due solely to the fact that offenders know they cannot bo punished by death.

Brigadier-general C. G. Johnston, lecturing at the United Service Institute in Melbourne a few nights ago, on the capabilities and limitations of modem artillery, said that siege artillery had to be drawn by tractors, and could not travel off the road. Owing to the difficulty of moving the heavy guns he did not think that any sensational "break through" would be made by the British on the western front. The Germans had frexm. time to time been driven back for a distance of several miles, but they had always made a fresh stand as soon as they reached strong positions. But when the nature of the country was taken into consideration an advance of even a few miles represented a big victory, and every advance brought the end of the war nearer. Among the many families in the dominion which have established a fine record for loyalty in connection with the present war is that of the Culhanes, lato of Taranaki. Of seven brothers, one has died at the front, two have been wounded, one o't these, who was at the landing at Gallipoli, returned to Now Zealand, and then went to Franco with the 12th Reinforcements. He has since been badly wounded in the face, a shot entering the left jaw and coming out through the right jaw. The other brother who has been wounded k>ft with the Bth Reinforcements. A fourth brother has just landed in England, and a fifth, who has .jus* attained military age, has gone into camp at Taulierenikau. A sixth brother enlisted, but was rejected on account of serious nerve trouble, while the only remaining brother is «ot yet of military age. In the course of an interview at Auckland, Dr G'. E. Morrison referred to possibilities of insurance business being done in China. He said . that life insurance was quite a new thing there, and it presented a profitable field for outside enterprise. Already one life insurance company, mainly founded and managed by British people, was doing extensive business. As an example of business enterprise now being shown in China, Dr Morrison said that there was nothing in New Zealand to equal the departmental stores in Hongkong and Shanghai, run by Chinese, under the guidance of Australian-trained Chinese from Sydney and Melbourne. " When you see a factory covering two and a-half acres in the midst of a vast population like that of Shanghai, with a roof garden lit by thousands of electric lights, .and stored from basement to attic with foreign goods, oh the principle of Anthony Hordern's in Sydney," said Dr Morrison, " you would think it would be worth while to investigate trade possibilities. This company has •a capital of £2,000,000, and is exclusively Chinese-owned. Every employee in these three great stores must learn the English language, and night school is provided." Referring to New Zealand, Dr Morrison spoke enthusiastically of its charms and attractions. "It seems to me," he said, "that more might be done to advertise the beauties of New Zealand and the amenities of life here. Its climate, its wonderful resources, might be brought before the notice of the class of officials residing in India, Burma. China, and Japan. I have seen there no New Zealand litera-

ture, such, for example, as the American Government issues in regard to the Philippine Islands or the Danish Government issues in regard to Java. A few men have como to Now Zealand from Ceylon, but they are merely a restricted few. There should be a definite campaign involving a small cost in advertising New Zealand." Mr J. Zinmrx, of Auckland, has received news from India that his son, S. N. Ziman (the first Auckland Rhodes Scholar), has been gazetted captain in an Indian cavalry regiment, and is' appointed on tho staff of Brigadier-general Roberts, 0.8., at Meerut. A Washington message states that accorning to Mr James Patten, of Chicago, the only man who is credited with having succeeded in "cornering" wheat, America should endeavour to increase her production of that cereal. During the proceedings of the committee that is now inquiring into the question of increasing tko production of stock, Mr G. W. Walker said that, after reading Mr Ashford's reference to the advice of Mr Hoover with regard to growing grain, ho had cabled to Mr James Patten, of Chicago, who had now retired, but a few years ago wielded enormous power in tho wheat world, as follows:—"Give us j'our opinion by telegraph world's wheat values next four years. Do you recommend increased! wheat production?" Ho had just received the following reply from Mr Patten: —"Expect maintenance present values wheat until Russian conditions become normal and resumes exports. Think crops 1918, 1919, insufficient "supply world's demands. Advise increasing production everywhere possible." The reply was greeted, with loud cheers.

Speaking at the half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney, Mr G. J. Cohen, chairman of directors, said that six months ago he called the attention of the community to the necessity for economy to enable the country to bear the burden of debt caused by the war. "I regret," he said, " that so far there is no evidence of any serious attempt at economy by the people. Extravagance is only too apparent everywhere, and in every form, and unfortunately seems to be on the increase. That strict" economy will sooner or later be forced on the community is clear to everyone versed in financial matters, and the sooner the public can be made to realise this the better it will be for the country generally." A Palmerston North gentleman, . who is deeply interested in economio botany, has been instrumental in introducing to that district a plant which has already proved itself a valuable aid in reclaiming sand and other waste areas. The discovery of the plant in these latitudes is rather interesting, and was supplied to a Standard representative by the resident referred to. " Between Tasmania and "Victoria," ho stated, "there is a fair-sized island, called King's Island. Years ago it was a waste of white sand. A wreck occurred, and from it a bed mattress floated ashore. Where it rotted a green patch appeared, and the growth ultimately spread over the sands of the island, converting the barren waste into excellent pastures. The Victorian Agricultural Department introduced the plant to the coastal areas of that State with great success. For a long time its nature was not determined, but now it is officially classified as ' melilotus pairviflorus.' It is a legume, and related to the clovers and lucerne. It grows luxuriantly, and the dying leaves add humus to the sands, and being a legume, with abundant root nodules, it quickly nitrates the soil. In America it has been used on poor clay lands, with good results." The resident further stated that he believes that the sand areas on the west coast 61 the North Island could be turned to good use if this plant were extensively introduced. He has been successful in procuring a quantity of the seed. and. has supplied the Standard office with a parcel for distribution over such areas. \ It would be useless sowing it on good land, as its value is to reclaim poor soils. Correspondence from King Island shows that the effect of this plant has not been exaggerated. The time to sow is in the month of February, and the seed should be soaked in water for several hours before sowing.