CURRENT TOPICS

Southland Times, Issue 17469, 25 March 1915, Page 5

CURRENT TOPICS

Ib.MHARD.MENT OF LONDON. nay be considered an important nl.h-.'t of war. against which any anil ;|<'inhibiting and destructive methods warfare may Do employed, especially .filing liv aircraft." This is the conI lusl.ai to which the semi-official Frcmentdau of Vienna, a favourite organ German Foreign Office, comes after reviewing the question. This is ~... I'remdenldalfs justification of an i„,inliardment of London: —"While London D not a fortress, it possesses -,.j- England's warfare, both by land and x.atcr extraordinarily great military im-r-orlanee. Fader certain circumstances I .onion van he of decisive influence upon t:o ~...-.ue of the war. especially because o' tl . mass of national wealth and ecocontained within its limit--1.1 area and also because of the assemblage at one spot of all the auxiliary means of conducting warfare. If these are desire:, ed the preparation of England's military and naval forces would be belayed to a .cry extraordinary degree. j, not. indeed, made impossible ill many directions. We refer. among ~ii.<r things, to Hie Royal dockyards and I , nnmeroiis private yards, the extenMV > .pit pineiil of depots, ami the mini.Ton- warships and merchantmen aln;iv.- King in the Thames. In the immediate neighbourhood of London, also, are tin huge arsenals in which the enure artillery and other equipment of the artnc and navy are manufactured and warehoused. London also hits many barrm ks. .Moreover, it is clear that the di si rod ton of the Thames Bridges, if i he- . an he accomplished tin an cxlenon.. -calc, would have an altogether demoralising effect on traffic. The same th.ng applies to railway stations and liif-s. It is. therefore, from a military standpoint, entirely legitimate to attempt the destruction of such points. X\ hereby various objects can simultanemisty be achieved. In the bombardment of London tills would he the case to quite an extensive degree, because as ho . been pointed out, all the important sinews of war are concentrated within a narrow area. There is, therefore, the greater prospect of real success in throwing bombs, besides which we must j.ni forget the moral effect such an attach would produce." THE JAPANESE DEMANDS, Great commotion wasarousetl in China >.v tin- unexpected action of Japan in presenting to tlie Government a series id demands for railway concessions, mining rights, industrial opportunities, and other matters calculated largely to increase tlie Japanese slake in China. The secrecy enjoined on the Chinese gave rise to many fanciful versions of the demands, and German insinuations led to further exaggeration of their significance. "Local politics are partly responsible for the step taken by Japan," writes the correspondent of the London Times. "The present Government, recently defeated in the Diet and faced by an election and serious fianclal problems finds itself Impelled to pursue a forward foreign policy in accord with the loudly 1.1 (.claimed popular demand. Thus, while It is true that the moment Is propitious owing to the hclpncssncss of China and the Diet that the other Powers interested in her fate are engaged elsewhere. Japan la compelled by Insistent internal necessities to take some action, Either foreign interests are closely affected by the Japanese demands, and particularly the British, for

activity by any one competitor la In a field of enterprise necessarily limits tli© opportunities of the others. But In view of our relations with Japan, and particularly because of the valuable naval assistance she has recently rendered us. and is still rendering, U would be ungractlous for Britain to put obstacles In the way of Japan’s reasonable enough ambitions In China, always assuming that the demands would not, If acceded to by China, definitely violate the Integrity of China or prevent equal commercial opportunity, or in some unforeseen way disturb the British position as already established.” FRENCH HEROISM. The mad heroism of the French In this war will live for ever, .loffre says that his armies have had the two distinct strains soldiers who have thought the soldiers duty to he to die, and soldiers who have learnt that their duty is to live to kill the enemy. Most of the rash heroes have gone now, and oven the youths in the French Army are taking good care of themselves. Nothing can be more pathetic than the fate of the young sub-lieutemmts straight from tins great French Military College of St. Cloud. They took a vow, these noble-hearted youths, that for their holy baptism of fire they would wear white gloves. This made the boys terribly conspicuous, and they were mowed down in scores. ,loffre has now forbidden the use of white gloves In the firing line. He has been forced to go further, and direct his officers to cover their tepis with the drab-coloured covering provided for privates, so that at last the French officer Is to be Indistinguishable from the private. Joffre is rushing through supplies of a green-grey uniform. How dearly have the French paid for their mad affection for the red military trousers of their ancestors! As the result of the late arrival of the goods train from Invercargill, the second express was held up at Gore for about a quarter of an hour last night. Good time was made during the remainder of the run. and the express arrived at Invercargill almost on time. Frosts have commenced in earnest at Pannevirke. Saturday and Sunday nights of last week furnishing an unwelcome visitation of this description (says the correspondent of the Hawke's Bay Herald). Pumpkins and marrows suffered severely. It is almost impossible to grow these vegetables there owing to the short period of the year in which the district is free from frosts. The Association of the Roy Scouts’ movement here are holding their annual meeting to-night in the Floral tea-rooms, and men interested are Invited to be present. Captain W. B. O'Toole will preside. and in his annual report will showhow successful the movement lias been during the past year. The uniform to bo worn by the 50 nurses who have been selected by the Government to go to England arc of grey, piped with red. With these are worn littie red caps. Regulation nurses’ bonnets and grey American sailor hats, which will make a pleasant change have also been provided. The overcoats are of thick grey tweed, with a turnover collar of red, with straps on the shoulders. A very successful concert was held in Knox Hall on Tuesday evening. There was a largo and an enthusiastic audience, and the chair was occupied by the Rev. .1. W. Shaw. M.A. items were contributed by Misses Arthur. V. Richards, OUerensiiaw. Simon. Murdoch. I. Preston. El ley and Mrs Hell: Messrs Geo. Braxton. West. Harlow. Tuliy, .1. D. Gilmore, A. S. Wallace. Ross, Drummond, and Alsweilcr. Miss G. E. Patton. L.A. 8., acted as accompanist. At a conference of representatives of the Wellington. Auckland and Canterbury Industrial Associations at Wellington on Tuesday evening, a long discussion took place on the question of the lack of support accorded to New Zealand industries. The amended recommendations proposed by the Canterbury Association regarding the appointment of a New Zealand Board of Trade and Industries was approved. Owing to the apathy of shopkeepers il was decided to abandon the exhibition of New Zealand industries which was to have been held from May 21 to 29. The annual pigeon.) poultry, canaryami pel show was held in the Victoria Hall yesterday, and the Society have every reason to be satisfied with the entries in all sections, except that for pets, tlie response of fanciers being below that of previous years. The judging was well advanced in the afternoon, and the show was one that commanded the patronage of a large number of those who found pleasure in comparing tlie merits of exhibits of this description. The Judges were: Poultry. Mr ft. Wilson; canaries. Mr G. lamgdon; pets. Mr F. Frederick; and pigeons, Messrs A. F. Clark and ,1. Gough. "Seven ships are loading meat today.” said Mr Massey yesterday morning at Wellington. "The dates of probable departure from the dominion are as follow;—Matatua. March 1!,'.; Tainui, March 25; Westmeath, March 28; Karamca, Marcli 30; Rotorua. April 3; Star of Australia, April 10; Kumara, April 11. Next month eight ships will be available, witii a total capacity of 834,450 carcases. The May and June arrangements have not been quite fixed hut it has been provided tentatively that there shall be 10 ships for June. Supplies are still very plentiful.' - added Mr Massey. "Half a dozen extra ships could be loaded at once, but the position seems fairly satisfactory considering the ci re a instances.” The reply made by the Prime Minister to the appeal of the Auckland Poultrykeepers' Association for assistance in obtaining a supply of fowl wheat has beep considered by the executive of the Association (says the Herald.) In his letter. Mr Massey stated that lie was making inquiries with a view to scouring shipments of maize, and that bran and pollard were now becoming plentiful. Authority was given to the president. Mr S. Britain Bull, to write to the Prime Minister explaining that the Association’s difficulty with regard to wheat would not be remedied by shipments of maize, as the latter grain is not a suitable feed for encouraging the laying qualities of poultry. The experience of the Association is that pollard is very scarce in Auckland, the current price being £9 per fnn, and it was agreed (lint the Prime Ministers attention should be directed to this fact also. With regard to the resolution passed by a meeting of farmers at Gore on Saturday which was called to consider the matter of the Government prohibition of the export of oats, the Ensign states that the chairman (Mr Hugh Smith, of McNah). has received the following telegram from the Prime Minister: “T am duly in receipt of the telegram signed by yourself and Messrs Howmar ami Clark transmitting a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting of farmers held at Gore. t may say that the decision to prohibit the exportation of oats was arrived at in consequence of the Registrar-General having reported that there was a shortage In this dominion of 3,000,000 bushels of oats for our own requirements and that approximately the harvest was expected to yield 10.000,000 bushels, while wo require, 3.000.000 bushels for food and seed purposes. There is no doubt about the price being tin to a payable level for Southland farmers, who, I am glad to learn have good crops. The suggestion as to price of oatmeal and oats has been noted. —W. K. Mas»ey. During the hearing of one of the cases before the Railway Appeal Board at Wanganui oh Friday ah interesting question cropped up with regard to the liberty of a stationmastcr on the New Zealand railways when off duly (says the Chronicle). ’’Take the case of, say. the stationmastcr at Wellington, said Mr Haselden. S.M.. "If be was off duty from midday on Saturday to midday on Monday, would he not be free to go away from the city on any expedition he might choose" without getting leave of absence from headquarters?" Mr MacDonald who appeared for the Department replied that unless a staUonmaster got leave of absence he had to remain within call of his post. Does it mean that he has to stay in his own house?" queried Mr Dennehy, who was appearing on behalf of the appellant in the case Mr Mac Donald made no reply on that point, but he repeated that a stationmaster had to be in the vicinity of his work unless on leave of absence. Mr Haselden made another effort to obtain some light on the question, but no definite information was forthcoming. The appellant at this stage said that when acting staUonmaster at Feildlng he understood that he could not go outside of the borough when off duly without leave of absence

An enthusiastic public meeting at Gisborne last night formed a branch of the National Reserve. A large number of volunteers enrolled. A Sydney cable states that the opening date of the Premiers’ conference will probably be May 10. A committee of editors, consisting of Messrs Leys (Auck'and Star), Cohen (Dunedin Star), Earle' (Dominion), and Trlggs (Christchurch Press) yesterday considered applications for the position of war correspondent with the .New Zealand Forces. They will make recommendations to the Minister for Internal Affairs, with whom lies the final selection. A meeting of the Workers’ Educational Association mot on Tuesday evening in the Technical College, Rev, J, K. Archer presiding. It was decided that two classes be formed, one for economics and the other for literature, 'and the committee was authorised to select teachers to act until a university appointee was available. Rev. Archer was appointed president; Dr Hanson, vicepresident; and Mr O. Duff, secretary and treasurer. The following were elected the committee: Messrs C. Provan, G. Froggatt, Dale, Crosby Smith, Alsweilcr and Rldd, Mrs Duff and Misses Dale and M. Wilson. It was resolved that a deputation wait on the Y.M.C.A. and Naturalists' Society to explain the objects of tlie Association, and that the Classes commence after Easter holidays. Members' subscriptions were fixed at 5s to be paid half-yearly. Students are now being enrolled at the Technical College. It was reported that there were already twenty students for economics, and eleven for literature. Mr Sidney Kidman, the Australian "Cattle King.” who was to have visited New Zealand about this time, including Nelson in his tour (says tlie Nelson Mail), has written to Mr F. W. Fairey stating that he now expects to make his trip to tlie dominion nt the end of this year, afterwards proceeding to America. Mr Kidman, in his letter to Mr Fairey. stated that lie was having a bad time on several of his stations. They were experiencing the worst season he had ever known in many parts of Australia. Many people were quite out of water, and their stock were dying. Mr Kidman lias lost over 20.000 cattle during tlie last twelve months. Last year ite sold 11.000 bullocks to the Australian Moat Company, these being delivered in three months, 500 averaging 8931b., and another mob weighing 8751b.. which will give some idea of what rattle are like in Queensland and other parts of Australia. An idea of how recruiting is going on in England may be gathered from the following extract from a letter received from London by a gentleman in Wellington:—"They’ve got four battalions of Tyneside Scottish, four battalions of Tyneside Irish, and four commercial battalions recruited on Tyneside, besides all the Northnmbcrlands and others of Kitchener’s Army, and the percentage returns for Tyneside, Northumberland, and Durham for recruiting is the highest in England, despite the fact that Armstrong’s and all tlie armament and shipbuilding firms on Tyneside are working absolutely night and day on war material, supplying probably more war materia] (shells, battleships, etc., than any other district. Bravo, canny owd Tyneside! So strong has been the recruiting that they have to issue posters, saying that it is as much the men’s duty to Wo rk in tlie shops (on Tyneside) as it is to go to the front.” In the course of a speech at Auckland Mr Mercditli Atkinson expressed the opinion that Australia and New Zealand would realise a boom after tlie war probably quicker than any onther countries of tlie world, in that all other countries must purchase from them tlie primary products—wheat, meat, and wool. At the same time. Australia and New Zealand must be prepared to participate in the inevitable slump in trade which must come over the world. It would probably be found that the recuperative capacity of the world was infinitely greater than was generally believed to be the case, and that in 20 years’ time the world would recover what a century ago wou d have necessitated 200 years’ hard work. Speaking of what he alluded to as the tremendous danger of demanding crippling indemnities, the lecturer expressed the opinion that, while Belgium should be handsomely compensated for the desolation brought about by the ruthless methods of German warfare, the Allies should be chary of inflicting mdemn - ties that would cripple German} financially for Us effect would rebound on to her creditors, who were Britain's customers Germany had lost more than it had gained by indicting the big indemnity on France after the wai of 18,0 ; conclusion Mr Atkinson forecasted that some of the results of the war would probably be to secure the dernocratisaUmi of foreign policy, and doing away with much of the dangerous secreo thrit has hitherto been observed, to bring about a better understanding the various strata of soviet}. m that. worker*' would ’itave‘u.trned more about atassstfa&cyw from crude jingoism. Your winter outfit, underwear, shirts nincoat etc Get it now while prices are down ' Undrill’s, opposite Office. Indian missions should be helpedl by every Britisher, Buy their beaut.ful Lace from Mrs Lec-Cowic.— Ad\t. THOMSON & BEATTIE, Ltd., are showing a now range of Cosy lads m S;:,™,o„r rt Green. Dark Green, and White. Groceries of high standard can be had af remarkably low rates for promp. cash at Baxter's, Dee Street. Tlie horse suffers from numerous ailments, practically all of which can be traced to one or two causes. We have devoted considerable time to the study „f u,e diseases of stock, and we have no hesitation in staling that our remedies are without a peer in their curative properties. Not only have our medicines for the stable obtained renown; our liniments, too. have won the favour of studmasters and the good groom We solicit your enquiries. Our experience in diagnosing troubles is always at vour command. We make a specialty of attending to postal orders. r Sotnmerville, Chemist and Eyesight, Specialist, Dee street, Invercargill. —Advt. You can get a Suit Bargain for your Boy if you make sure you shop at The Economic Outfitters, GO Dee street. X A martyr to Rheumatism, Gout, Sciatica or Lumbago is to be much pitied and yet he can easily be cured. His illness is due to excess uric acid in the blood, and this must be removed before a permanent cure can be obtained. Many sufferers fly at once to plasters and liniments because they obtain temporary relief —but they can get no real benefit until the cause is removed. RHEUMO is the only successful remedy for uric acid troubles, for it rids the system of the cause of the trouble. RHEUMO has cured thousands and it will cure you. Buy a bottle to-day. Of all chemists and stores, 2/6 and 4/6. 92 SYNOPSIS NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. On pajr© 1— For sale, house and section by B. J. Gumming. Buy your groceries for ready money at Baxter's. On page 3 Thomson & Beattie's show of new season's goods starts to-day. On page G Fullers’ Pictures, Zealandia Hall, 8. Lyceum Pictures, Lyceum Hall, 8. Continuous Pictures. Spey street. 2 & 7 Meeting Farmers’ Union on Saturday 27th at 1.30 p.m. Cheap excursions to Queenstown 3rd April. Notice re train additions and alterations for the Easter holidays. “Babes in the Wood" pantomime next Wednesday and Thursday. Grand concert in Theatre Friday night to augment Hibernian Band’s travelling fund. Southland Employers’ Association to meet to-night at 8. Meeting of directors Waimatua Dairy Factory. On Page 7 Are you informed —Go to McDonald’s big boot sale. T. W. Vickery, Ltd., are now selling off their surplus stock —You are invited to Inspect. On pag© 8— Win.ton horse sale on Friday, March 26 Weekly furniture sale by Wm. Todd and Co. to-day. Sale of racehorse to-day at Racecourse by Wright. Stephenson and Co. Sale of Corporation leas© by Colin Mcrmriiid on Saturday.