CURRENT TOPICS

Southland Times, Issue 17656, 14 February 1916, Page 5

CURRENT TOPICS

A. FRENCH GENERAL ON HIS MEN. The whole German army is a vast machine, extremely powerful, of ingenious, complicated and efficient wheel mechanism which responds faithfully to the handling of a superior power, says General Berthant, who naturally in his own beloved Frenchmen. The German is military, hut he is not a warrior. There arc, of course, exceptions, hut as a rule he has not the initiative which gives individuality. The Frenchman is not military on principle, but he is a lighter, a warrior. Several years of training in the army are necessary to him in order that lie may acquire a sense of discipline and those qualities of duty and obedience which he lacks. But these qualities when he lias assimilated them dc not interfere with his value as a warrior. If the German is brave, lie is brave also, and he is endowed, moreover, thanks to his independent character, with an initiative in fighting which the German lacks. The Frenchman always clings to his individuality and wishes to tee it triumph, while the German is more easily content with a modest role, and to efface himself as a mere number in the ranks. In contradistinction to the German, the French soldier has no fear of his officers; he has not been trained by brutality or terrorism. His officers must inspire him with confidence, but when that confidence is won he will obey blindly and be capable of great tilings. The officers who have the most influence on their men arc not those who bully or exercise undue authority. In France, threats and coercion are quite the wrong methods to employ. L’homme du peuple, conscious of his rights, perhaps a little too much so, and not sufficiently conscious of his duties, will neither suffer nor admit, not merely oppression, hut even authority if it be heavy-handed. Moreover, the officers are of the same nature as their men. They understand a disposition whicli is not without pride and nobility. and they know how best to handle and direct it. They help aud advise their soldiers in all circumstances, and look after them with a care which often amounts to absolute devotion. The devotion is reciprocated. THE WAR AND LUXURIES. The British Government is proposing to prohibit the importation of luxuries and tax amusements, a course ardently advocated by Mr Ellis Barker in the Nineteenth Century. After quoting statistics to show the effect of the war upon luxurious imports, he points out that many of them came from France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy, and Turkey, and that in some cases they have fallen, perhaps because the exporting countries could not send the goods. In other cases the imports of luxuries are as large as usual, or even larger than usual. The importation of almonds, oranges, chocolates, currants, raisins, and fruit preserved in sugar greatly increased, notwithstanding the war, while the imports of manufactured silks, confectionery, flowers, watches, and motorcars and parts diminished only slightly. ‘ If the consumption of imported luxuries was very much ns usual, we may safely estimate that the consumption of homemade luxuries was also very much as usual. Luxurious expenditure cannot easily bo checked by voluntary effort, hut It can easily he diminished by legislation. The most obvious step for improving Great Britain’s financial position cotists in ruthlessly cutting off the importation of all imported luxuries. The import duties pm on motor-cars, cinematograph films, etc., arc a small step in the right direction. import duties should without delay be put on all imported luxuries, and even on those manufactured necessities which can be produced in tills'country.”

Spurious shillings arc at present in circulation in Mustcrton, says the Wairarapa Daily Times, So good arc the imitations that a clerk in a mercantile firm was given one by a bank teller, who diil not detect tile fraud.

A reciprocal agreement !ms been come to between Australia and -\ew Zealand, by which each country agrees to allow tourists or other bona fide travellers bearing passports to return to their own country without the formality of securing fresh passports.

The ilon. G. W. Bussell staled at Christchurch on Friday morning that the census would be taken probably next February, 1" give the Boundary Commissiorn is ample time in which to adjust the electoral districts for the general election at the end of IHI 7.

.Mr John .McDonald, in responding to lie.- toast of "Agricult urn 1 and Pastoral Interests" at llm function at Winton on Thursday night said that lo- was one of those '.\;io diil not have the trials and Hi Ini Ie l ions of the firmer. Mr W. K. Tailor in te|-jncled. "VotiTe very lucky. Jack," and Mr McDonald replied that the mercantile people got the farmers out of trouble, and never got them into it.

The meeting of the Southland Patriotic Committee at wnirh his Worship the Mayor ami members nf the Town Council are invited to l>e present will he held on Tuesday, the Wild inst., at S p.m. At this meeting a comprehensive report, and The audited balance sheet of the \arious funds will he suhmitted, ami a full investigation made into the charges recently made by the Mayor.

It (.low at Winton on Thursday night said that they ought not to he concerned recta n lias compulsion to serve one’s country. If the lime had come v, Pen it was necessary, then why not have compulsion'.' The t.lovcrnmcnt stuedd bring it in, so as to let every ji ~11 tala- his turn. He knew of greyheaded men who would he prepared to .1. tie ir duly; in do t they would do it 1 crimps hotter than the .vomit; men, and as for the ladies lie believed they would < 11. tlii ir duty hotter than the old men or tie- yn'.iii; men.

The l.ytt el ton Times states that Mr K. Heuhv. fishing md far from the mouth of the Itakaia ri\er, recently land'd a female uiiinnat salmon weighing -."'Ml'. The fish was seen by .Mr Ik Hope, who eiinlirnud -Mr I ’enhy's cou- \ lotion that it was a iiuinnat, and it is said to he a record lor weight, the second largest lisii bal ing seated Is *.]!>- Us extreme length was ::7in, and girth ".Ain. Then; was no little sport In landing the lish, which is the largest tisli of tiny des> riplioii caught in the Itakaia. The imporlanl point eonneeced witii the catch is that the iiuinnat appears to have been thoroughly established in New Zealand.

A remarkable story is point; 11 1 <• rounds amongst the soldiers ,•! t tlic ImiK'iliu Anxar < 'l ll l ■ ( reports the Ihinedin Times i. When it was derided, in consequence of allegations of certain i rreftu la ri ties, to ln-ea!< no the eamq of convalescents who had hecn sent to iltinmer to recuperate, some of the conva! escen I s were discharged. (libers were sent into hospital at Christchurch, and three were ordered into the Tr-ntham Camp. presumably preparatory to their return to the fro!:!, dine of these th fee soldiers had returned from K.qypl, at'ler hsintf on active sei viee. Sll fl'el'in

I'nilM a .aau-slait v.amral ~ tl,c :i i in, ami it related willi r.rim hum.air 11 1a I he lais new 1 j. ti rejeeted for t.urlhcr service as heim; under aye 1

The Matanra industrial excursion to Kivcrton, which look place on Saturday, was patronised by about 7mi people, ami was a complete success. The weather was well nigh perfect, and everything was conducive lo thorough enjoyment tit the popular seaside resort.

There has been a considerable inercase in the supply of milk at the Underwood Hairy .Factory tills season, and Murrays, Ltd., who have been collecting milk direct from the farmers its far alicld as Spar flush, have decided to extend tin if operations by adding another at) h.p. Argyll motor lorry to their licet. The order has been placed with -Messrs H \V. Woods ami Co., the New Zealand agents.

Mr tV. lv. Taylor stated at Winton on Thursday evening Hint the farmers were undoubtedly reaping a golden harvest as the result of tho war, aud let them do their duty nobly and well. It was till very well to tell men to go forward and light on behalf of humanity, but the wealthy people should also he to the foie in assisting their country, and it was the duty of those who remained at homo to put their hands in their pockets, ami help tho men, -and the dependents of the men, who fought for litem.

Mr i\ dc la Ferrellc mentioned at the Winton"A. and P. Association’s Re-union on Thursday evening that the Winton branch of 'the National Reserve had worked hard to further volunteering fot the front, and, incidentally, he stated that the members had subscribed 140 to provide teetli for men who had volunteered. He concluded by saying that, if necessary, the members would contribute as much again in the same direction.

A Christchurch nurse, writing to a friend from Aotea Convalescent Homo, Heliopolis, Cairo, says "It is lovely being able to do so much for our own boys. Their worn, old-looking faces make my heart ache often, hut they arc so plucky, unselfish, and uncomplaining. Some of them are such hoys. Many a mother lias cause to be proud of her hoy. .So far all tho boys we have had in have played the game."

At the function promoted by tho Winton A. and P. Association on Thursday evening, Mr Perrelle referred to the sacrifices some men were making - in going to the front. As an instance lie mentioned the case of Mr J, Hazlott, of South Hillend, whose name, Mr Perrelle said, there was no harm in mentioning. Mr Perrelle said that when Mr Hazlott informed him of the step he was taking, lie enquired: “What are you going to do with your farm?" and tho reply lie received was: "That is a secondary consideration.” They all knew, concluded Mr Perrelle, what a splendid farm Mr Hazlett had, and tiiat he was very 'well off, and by going to tho front ho had set a great example to others. (Applause.)

The Britisli Dental Journal is responsible for the following : “In the retreat from Mons a distinguished general now commanding an army in Erance, thought to snatch a few hours in bed in a peasant’s cottage. He left his artificial teetli on the washstand. At night lie was aroused with the news that the enemy wtis near, and hurriedly left, forgetting his teetli. After subsisting on light foods for a fortnight the battle of the Marne brought the general back to flic village. Although only the four wails of the cottage were left, one of the general’s A.D.C.’s and three soldiers explored the wreckage. Under a lot of chicken bones and champagne bottles they found the teeth intact. The general then had a "square meal.’’

A fact which strikes the traveller this vear (writes the Western District correspondent of the South Times) is the manner in which waste land is being utilised for feeding stock. All along the railway line, where in extensive lanes, tlie cocksfoot previously ran riot, now arc to bo seen dairy cows and young stock quietly browsing, while vacant sections, unused road lines, etc., have been fenced in for the same purpose, and the extent to which the "long paddock is also being used for grazing may be judged by the fat returns falling into the rangers’ pockets. The cause of this feverish interest - in stock is tlie high price being paid for butter-fat, coupled with tlie returns securcable for fat and young stock, while to some extent the economic lessons taught by the war are also responsible:

The gathering at the Winton A. ond Association’s re-union on Thursday evening was an intensely patriotic one; and the various speeches throughout the evening were permeated witti patriotic sentiment. In proposing the toast of

“Tito Empire and its Soldiers,” Mr W E. Taylor said that none present desired to belong to any other nation than tlie Britisli nation, and in New Zealand they were living virtually in peace because they were under the protection of tho British Hag. That liberty and peace had been handed down to them by the heroes and heroines of past ages, and it was up to them, when their country was in the throes of a life and death struggle to do something to help her. It was not everyone who was able to go to the front, owing to their being hampered by responsibilities. But all honour to those who did go prepared to give up their lives for their country, which was the most a man could give.

Among those who, through the war, ore suffering keenly from anxiety its to members of their families is Mr Massart Barakat, of Nelson, whose case is a peenliarly trying one (says the Colonist). Mr llarakat, who has for many years been a naturalised citizen of this country, is a native of .Lebanon, Syria, which, though within the Turkish borders, had (before the war) a certain measure of independence, and was under the protection of European Powers. At the time of war breaking out Mrs Karakat and two young children were on a visit to Mr Uurakat's mother at Lebanon, and his eldest child, a lad of IS years, was at college in France. The boy Joined the french Army, and was twice wounded, but for the past six months Mr Barakat has had no word of him, and enquiries have been unavailing. Furthermore, after one letter from his wife, in which Mrs Barakat, who had been trained ns a nurse, staled that she was contemplating offering her services in that capacity to (he Allies, he has received no word concerning her and her children. Mr Barakat has relatives of influence in Bgypt, arid all ihejr endeavours to obtain information have failed.

For some time the position regarding war funds lias shown signs of becoming acute (wires the Wellington correspondent of the Press). In Wellington people in general are asked why there is anything in the shape of a deadlock, and are wanting to know what will he done. The popular idea is that so far much of tho money raised by voluntary effort is locked up. and, at the same time, people hear of cases of returned soldiers who could very well do with assistance. Them is also, beyond doubt, a strong impression in tho public mind that the Government litis its eyes on the voluntary funds, and (hat. if it can't actua-lly use tiny of the money, it will at least spend nothing out of the Stale coffers which may be shouldered on to the outside funds. The conference of representatives of the patriotic funds, which is to he held here on Thursday, is being awailed with keen interest. Tho Miuisler called the conference, and the Mayor of Wellington is arranging matters. The latter told me that Auckland and Dunedin had been standing out of Ihe conference, Inn now Dunedin had come in, and would scud representatives. Auckland, however, could he persuaded to come.

Speaking at Winton on Thursday evening, Mr .1. H Hamilton said that lie wanted to remind critics who were sltilinp that farmers were "scooping the pool” owing to tlic war crisis, that winning was different to any other industry. I;; estimat inn a farmer's prolits they had ■ r ( ,t to extend in vcstigaUons over a number of years. It was no use picking' out one particular year, as there Were lean seasons as well as fat seasons. He saw farmers .present that nij;l;t who i-ould hear out his contention, who laid during some years hud not made a. shilling and who, although on the border id' ruin', came up smiling every time, Ihtsir,Vs' lie'll could regulate their charges, hut a tanner usually did not know what he was going t" get for his produce, and there was nothing in the world to make a tanner's business sure. lie had Hoods, frost.- and a hundred and one tilings to , outi isl' wilii. Tlic fanners were entitled ~11 they were making at the present time, and he thought that they had alvays been the backbone of the country. If 'the critics thought that farmers were making money, there were thousands of of land thiil these critics could 'take Up ami try the experiment themq.;, Kvery section of the community oust'd to ho glad that the farmers w. Ie doing Well, because tie- fanner Was the 1',., 11,7: ii 11 head of productions. All the ~,.,,1,1,. g..t a "will." out of what thi' farmer mad", and if 11 ■" farming community was doing well, then all other sections o| the community were dole- mi also*

The Hi>ii. G. W. Itimsell ti'.'il }I Christ•hurch reporter on Friday that although a large number of men desiring (o leave Xew Zealand had been "turned down'’ and refused passports, the number of I hose wild obviously wished to avoid military serviee was diminish in;? and i hey had evidently sized up the situation and realised that they could not got away. Whore men expressed a desire lo leave the dominion to Join some branch of the Imperial force, commonly the aviation corps or motor mechanic service the passport was issued after due inquiries to ascertain the bona tides of the case, and a condition was imposed that ail applicants should sign a sworn declaration before a .Justice of the Peace that they'would offer themselves for the braneli named, and that if not accepted they would join some other branch of tho imperial forces. They were also required to present themselves to the High Commissioner’s office, its a guarantee of good faith, and a list of the men with their declarations was forwarded to tho High Commissioner, who kept a record of whoever attended and what became of them in England.

in connection with tho case of F. W. Welters, a naturalised German, who has been for some months a resident of Wellington, and who came into prominence recently as the principal figure in a disturbance among French Reservists who were visiting there, correspondence now in the possession of the Prime Minister shows that lie was naturalised in 190G; that lie has obtained his Xew Zealand degree of Master of Arts; and that lie applied to the Internal Affairs Department for a passport to enable him to go to Switzerland to sit for an examination for the degree of doctor of philosophy in April, but was refused (says the Post), He then applied to the AttorneyGeneral (the Hon. A. H. Herd man) and was informed by tho latter that lie could not possibly interfere. Since then Welters had been in communication with tho Prime Minister to achieve the same purpose, and was again informed that in the present state of affairs there could he no interference with the decision previously communicated to him. In his communications with the Prime Minister, Wolters claimed that lie was a loyal subject of Britain. At present Wolters is at Somes Island. For some time he worked in the Government Printing Office, hut

Referring to various aspects of commercial life in. England, Mr J. B. Clarkson, who has returned from a visit to Britain, said that the manufacturer was still turning out a certain amount of goods for export, although, of course, orders could not bo completely filled. The manufacturer was determined to look after his export business, especially with the overseas dominions, -as lie realised it was necessary to provide home freights for tlie boats whicli returned with colonial produce. To-day, owing to the extraordinary dearth of shipping space, it was almost impossible to got any freight for New Zealand or Australia, and rates were three times as high as they were last October. With regard to the motor industry, the Britisli manufacturers would be in a far better position to look after the requirements of the overseas dominions than lie had ever been in before. The up-to-date machinery installed for munitions would answer the purpose of motor manufacture equally well. After the war England would have three tariffs in Mr Clarkson’s opinion—a small protective tariff, a tariff against foreign countries, and a tariff against the present enemy countries. England would devise some means of making the United States pay for the protection whicli her commerce was at present receiving. AI c were giving them huge orders for muni tions and paying them practically their own price, and we would have to recover these profits.

2/- to 5/- in the £ having on Underwear. —Undrill’s Sale. opp. Post Office. Secure your Swimming Outfit from THOMSON & BEATTIE, LTD., during this week, the last week of their Sale. Ladies and Girls’ Suits in one piece, twopiece and Canadian Shapes at 1/11, 2/11, 3/6 to 4/6. oiled Silk Caps at 2/3 and 3/0. Men’s Suits at 3/6, 4/6, and 5/6. Boys’ Suits at 1/11 each. x Buy for prompt cash and save your money. One of the most effective ways of saving your money is to buy for ready money from BAXTER’S —if you buy on credit you keep paying for other people’s bad debts. x Tho travelling- public can obtain all Newspapers, Magazines, Latest Books. All brands of Cigarettes, Tobaccos and Confectionery. No half-holiday at the Bookstall. C. RODGERS, Proprietor, x

Have you seen the large display of Ladies’ Woven White Bloomers in BRICE AND BULLELD’S Kelvin street windows. There lias been a very big demand for these popular Washing Garments. They are extra large size, and have elastic bands to waist and knees. They are selling at the absurdly low price of 1/i) per pair. Another line just to hand and shown in the adjoining window is an extra long ribbed Collar Vest for ladies. •Tliis is a splendid valuable line, and is soiling rapidly: low v-shaped at neck, short sleeves, and well woven, and priced at only 1/-. Special inducements for cash are now the order of tlie sale in each department, and an early visit will bring its own reward. Price & Bulleid.

Ulcerated sore legs aro not infrequently met with —numbers of people are so afflicted. These sores are usually on the shin or ankle, and sometimes will almost surround the leg at those parts, pain is sometimes severe at night. Rest, of course, is very essentia], but many people cannot possibly do this. Too rapid healing is not advisable, while a gradual healing process is the path of safety. The treatment recommended by Mr R. Summerville, chemist and optician. Bank Buildings, Lee street, Invercargill, is successful in healing long-standing leg ulcers even in the case of people who have to work hard. x

The reason why the B.S.A. Company aro able to give such good deliveries of the B.S.A. motor cycles is very largely due to the fact Chat the British Government have recognised the tremendous efforts of the B.S.A. Company to supply various forms of munitions and military equipment, which have been necessary for the successtui carrying out ot the present war. The B.S.A. Company are turning out such quantities of military rifles, machine guns, and other munitions, also a very large number of the special military folding bicycle, having spent something over half a million pounds in the erection of special builuings and plant for this purpose since the outbreak of war. Their Daimler Works at Coventry have also been placed almost entirely at the disposal of the Government, and are turning out huge quantities of motor transport and aeroplane equipment. -V large number of B.ri.A. motor cycles have also been purchased by the British and the Allies for military purposes. and in view of the tremendous output of oilier munitions by the B.S.A. Company, they have been allowed to retain a portion of the motor cycle output for the export trade, which is giving an opportunity for tin; Lew Zealand agents to obtain good deliveries of this machine, the sales of which have more than doubled diroughout the dominion the past year. it is, of course, impossible to say fur a certainty, that future deliveries will be as good, and intending putebasers will be wise to take out of the stocks which are due to arrive in Invercargill during Die next few weeks. G. \V. Woods and Co. are .Southland Agents for the B.ri.A.

.sy.MtrSIS NKW AIiVKHTISIAI I'INTS On page 1— Wanted, hoy. Wauled, man. Wauled, sows. Wanted, dyer. Wanted, canvasser. Host, cap off motor wheel. Waiil.id, woman for housework. Tenders called for lease of property. Tenders eailod lor election of resilience i I u'gil I).

.sea ml ret t & Sons have sonic line farms lor sale. On page 3 Jam week of tlie exhibition Sale— Thomson A- Health', Htd. On page 6 Cram l i'iidures at - and H.I.A, I’opuiar I’i'dures tit :t and (’•. l A. Ceneral meeting St. .lolm's Ambulance, I'i'hruary la.

In’f’Jll I lairynien's As.sn. smoko eon<j> rt, l-'c-n. I'!. Notice in subscribers In'sili Telephone .1 Mcha ny r. Notice re estate late li. A, Menton. ..Misses Meluieli Inn rrive lessons in i]i , ss-cuti lay.

t ; :l ve your eyesiyhl liy procuring i;lasiron! .1. I >• Milmore, lice street. On nage 7 A list ra! iau Mutual Provident Society ■s the la ryes I mutual life oliice in (he I;> it isii Kmpire. On page 8— s.,p. .if livery plant, etc., Wyndhani, ''ebruary IV