THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3349, 22 May 1918, Page 56

THE WEEK.

On the west front there is for the moment a calm, though we are continually being reminded by war correspondents and others that it is merely the calm before the storm of another offensive. Even if that be so, it gives us a breathingspace, and a temporary relaxation from the anxious tension of those days when the papers are full of cables, telling of desperate struggling Tip and down the battle line. But for these breathing-spaces occasionally it would be difficult for us to go on at all, and, as it is, they should not mean on our part an slackening of whatever effort we may be making, whether it be work or prayer or anything else to help the common cause. They should merely mean a relaxation of the nervous tension", unavoidable at other more critical times, consequently an opportunity to gird up our loins anew for the struggle. I, for one, have given up looking for the end of the war. Before this we have hoped each year would see the end, but now the longed-for finish depends upon so many -uncertain factors that it is impossible to look forward at all. America's strength is as yet untried to a great extent. We don't know how far she will be able to help, or what effect her help will have. We only know that we should be very unhappy without it, and even with it I don't see how the thing is going to end soon unless the Russian people pull themselves together and turn again upon the enemy ; and I don't think that is very likely, unless there is a revolution in Germany or Austria, or preferably both; and I don't think that is likely either. There's nobody much left in either country to arrange a revolution, except women and children and old men and weaklings. Very,well, then, if it's going to be a long business we will just have to settle down to it. If it comes to a question of "holding out" I guess we can go one better than the Germans, especially as we have so much more to hold out for. When the German people ask themselves what they are fighting for they get in reply only fine-sounding ideas about worlddomination, and the infliction of their "lcultur" on other nations, things that must seem of less and less account when weighed against present starvation and misery. The peoples of the Allies know that they are enduring the present for the sake of all humanity, and that their children and their children's children may have peace. That is a very different matter, isn't it :ft is not always easy fco keep our ideal in mind, I know. All sorts of cross-currents combine U> sway us from our purpose—political troubles, social, unrest, personal grievances of our own-or our friends, for that which is nearest to us, small though it may. be in reality, seems very large in our own eyes. But of you are troubled by any of these things, or simply sick with an utter weariness of it all, try to imagine a Germany victorious, a Germany imposing the terms on us as she has done on Russia, perhaps retaining her gains in France, in Belgium—which means not only gain of territory, but of valuable iron lands out of which she will forge new cannon, and of seaports pointing like a pistol at the heart of England. Think of a Germany with her colonies back again, laying a network. of bases and wireless stations ready for the next war—a Germany making ready for that war with the materials she would demand from the Allies by way of an indemnity, imagine a Germany with Austria, Turkey, and Bulgaria, still obedient to her will and capable of being used for her ends, with a firm grip on a great part of Russia, and with her rulers able to prove to her people that frightfulness pays, that war brings success to a nation, and that military autocracy will always come out on top in any struggle. Imagine it if you can, for I can't. The thought is too unbearable. For one thing it would only mean all this horror all over again in another generation, for Germany would again start on a career of conquest, and again the rest of the world would instinctively rise up against her. We have got to make the German people realise once and for all that militarism and self-aggrandisement does not pay, for the world will not have it, and that soon the world will refuse also to' deal with autocrats obsessed by the idea of divine right, and will expect civilised peoples to be self-governing._ No government, whether elected or appointed at the will of an all-powerful ruler, is perfect, but at least there will be more chance for the peace of the world when all governments are chosen by, and are responsible to those whom they govern. And it is by the Allies sticking it out and never giving in that these ideas will get hammered into the minds of the Central Powers. It may take a long time yet,

there may still he terrible things for us to go through, but <lo not let yourselves forget how much the end will mean. |. ELIZABETH. j SOUNDS FROM THE BUSH. I As I mentioned last week, Native Pern a very old reader of the Witness, forwarded me a little bool£ of verses as a contribution to the meeting of the C.C.G., with a request that I would make it known that the proceeds of the sale of the book go towards patriotic funds. The Nerses are her own, and I have read them through with much interest, as they are the work" of one who came here in the early days, when things were very different from what they are now. One of the. poems was written for the gathering that celebrated the jubilee of the arrival of the “Sevilla,” the ship in which she was a passenger. In August, eighteen sixty-two, i We sailed from Gourock Bay, i Bound for Otago’s rocky shore, j On a peaceful .summer-day. i Six score and sixteen single girls, Of married folks a few, | Three score and ten young single men, Some little children too. , Most of the other poems deal with bush scenery, and the lessons that may be drawn from a study of Nature—from the flowers, and from the .beauty of the sunsets behind the hills, as where the bush settles stands Watching tho setting sun sink down ' Behind Mount Cargill’s head; Enfolded in his brilliant shroud Of gold and purple hue, I He seems to say, “These p) ass away, All things shall be mad© new.” It seems to speak of brighter things Now hidden from our view. One of the best of the poems is “An Essay on Dairy-Farming,” in which much good advice is given in the form of rhyme. If dairy'farming be your aim, " Ann if your land is steep, \ You’ll find tho Ayrshire cows the best In all respects to keep. Being light of frame, they give more milk •And thrive upon less feed Than Durhams, Jerseys, Aldemeys, • . Or any oilier breed. See that your cows have plenty grass And water running pure, | For stagnant pools will taint your milk i Beyond all power to cure. On little things from day to day Keep an observant eye; - Experience will teach you more Than all the books you'll buy. is a good maxium for many things besides dairy-farming, and final advice is excellent. l>e diligent, economical, Methodical alway; And you will find that in the end ’Tie this makes farming "pay.” I think the little book should be of interest to those who care about our pioneers, and the early days of Dunedin. Its price is one shilling—the proceeds, as I said' before, going to the patriotic funds, and it may be obtained from Mrs White care of Mr Fullerton, Port Chalmers. 1 C.C.C. MEETINGS. Lady Arbutlmot has asked me for the dates of the C.C.C. meetings for the last two years, so- her© they are; 1916. May 18. —Members’ meeting. June 14. —The Sea or the Hills. July 12. —Women Writers. August 16. —“Conscription” for Girls. September 13.—The British Navy. October 18. —Grandmothers. 1917. May 16. —Members’ meeting. June 13.—The Sea. July 18. —Careers for Women. August 15.—My Favourite Character in Shakespeare. September 12. —How to Spend) £240 a Year. October 17. —Via Panama. November 14 and 21. —Discussion meetings.