THE GERMAN STRIKE.

Southland Times, Issue 17913, 19 April 1917, Page 4

THE GERMAN STRIKE.

There is a strike in Germany, and 11 is a serious one. How far it extends over the country and through the industries it is impossible to say. It may be confined to a few of the larger towns and to some branches of industry, or it may be general both in scope and character. It is certainly a big strike, and it is extremely significant It means that the endurance of a large part of the German nation has broken down—that is the essential and important fact to seize upon. Labour speakers in New Zealand and elsewhere sometimes suggest that Labour in Germany was opposed to the war. There is no evidence of any weight to support this allegation: on the other hand their is abundant evidence that at the outset and until a few months ago organised labour was whole-heartedly and

almost unanimously with the War Lords. The German people as a whole believe profoundly in their destiny and in their army as the weapon with which their position as the first nation, of the world is to be won. Labour was with the Government in going to war to win by the sword Germany’s “place in the sun,” and Labour on strike in opposition to the war is a changed Labour. What has changed it? It is not difficult to suggest causes. The German people must be sick to death of the iron control of the military dictatorship. They are under a rule as absolute as that of the old slave drivers, and the levy in mass delivered them over, bound and fettered, to the “tin hats" of the Wilhelmstrasse. The German people are disciplined in an extraordinary degree, but there are limits to human endurance. Then the workers must be feeling the pinch of hunger. According to the reports women have been prominent in the disorders. Women can suffer much and long, but they cannot bear to see their children starve. The British blockade is doing its work. It is cruel, perhaps, but it is war, and the Germans are now trying their utmost, with their submarines, to get the same stranglehold on Britain as the British fleet has on Germany. The people must also be sick of the war, if for no other reason than that it has filled their houses with mourning. The enemy’s casualties have been enormous, and fathers, mothers and sisters are nauseated with bloodshed. Lastly, the people are beginning to see the premonitory signs of ultimate defeat* The letters coming back to them from the western front are filled with forebodings and with descriptions of the mighty forces that are accumulating against Germany. The fact is that the German people are no longer certain of the issue. They ; are doubtful of the ability of their army, to finish the war, and they are asking themselves how long the killing and sweating and starving are going to last and what the end of it all will be. The morale of the German nation, like that of the German'army, is not what It was. That is the significance of the strike. The strike is not in the least likely to interfere with the prosecution of the war by the military dictatorship. As long as the army stands firm the Wilhelmstrasse can deal with any strike, and there is as yet no indication of disaffection in the army. The rank and file still appear, to be willing to use bayonet and machine gun at the command of their officers even against their own flesh and blood. Discipline is ingrained in the German soldier. It is the product of the system, and it will bear a strain more severe than any it has yet been put to, but though the military may crush strikes and quell riots, neither the German Government nor any other can wage successful war with a nation broken in spirit and seething with discontent. The German strike is a good omen for the Allies. It is in itself a reason why there should be no strikes in this country nor in any part of the Empire, and why all should pull together for the effort that may bring the struggle to an end this year.

Joseph Taylor, who attempted suicidfl at Heddon Bush last Sunday, by cutting his throat with a pocket-knife, died in the Southland Hospital early yesterday morning. The impression has got abroad that it has been decided to close the :,Waihopai school. The decision applies only to the “side school,” formerly the Park School. The Hon. A. M. Myers, Minister o£ Munitions, says the Canterbury Aviation School at Sockburn, from the defence and from the commercial viewpoints, has great future possibilities. The Minister, thinks it quite possible that befor* long mails will be conveyed across Cot ; Strait by aeroplane. Private William Thomas Walschleger, - reported missing on 24th March, is the adopted son of Mr and Mrs Manasseh Walschleger, of Half Moon Bay. He was bom at Invercargill 22 years ago and received his education at Half Moon Bay. He was employed in Messrs MeCallum and Co.’s mill at Kaipipi and latter at Messrs Bird Bros, at Maori Beach, Stewart Island. Private Walschleger, who enlisted in the 16th Reinforcements, took a great interest in football He was of a very quiet disposition and was highly esteemed by all with whom he was brought into association.— Bluff Press. A young man named Peter Thompson, aged 27 years, whose parents live at Lochiel, but who has worked in this district for some years, was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday suffering from diphtheria, and died on Thursday. He attended _ the races on both days, and on Tuesday his condition become serious; nevertheless, he returned to Nightcaps, where he had been working, but had to be brought down again next day. Mr J. Forrester, of Scott street, South Invercargill, who recently returned from a trip Home, brought with him a new potato which by all appearance ■will become extremely popular when it is available for general use. This is the Langworthy, and it is one of the latest potatoes of the celebrated Findlay of Mar-, kineb. The results obtained by Mr Forrester show that the Langworthy is a prolific cropper and a hardy grower. From one shaw, grown without special preparation, Mr Forrester obtained 29 potatoes, 12 of which were very large. Mr Forrester also got some fine result* from the King Edward. The Langworthy is not yet on the market, but judging by Mr Forrester’s experiment it is likely to become popular as sooa as it is available. It is now some weeks since the Board of Trade began to be interested tn lh* price of meat, and to take steps in son* localities to limit the retail prices to the consumer. The State shops in Auciu land are now ancient history, and they continue to carry on successfully. A modified scheme has been established ia Masterton by whicli all the butchers, save one, are being supplied from the Waingawa works with meat which is purchased by the Government for ■ the Imperial authorities, and the retailer* are required to give an undertaking that certain maximum prices shall not be exceeded. In other towns—Napier, Hastings, and Palmerston North—the board has fixed a schedule of prices by agreement with the local butchers, and the butchers have promised that these price* shall not be exceeded without reference to the board. It is reported that ail the schemes are working satisfactorily. A letter was received by the Auckland Farmers’ Union executive on Thursday asking it to interest itself in the employment of women on farms. The writer stated that she had seen the success of this movement in other countries, and on her return to New Zealand was surprised at the casual way in which it wa» considered here, and suggested the establishment of farming schools for girl cadets, just as there are similar institutions for boys. It was stated that through the agency of the writer, many capable girls had obtained farm work, and she had also received encouraging reports from the farmers. The communication concluded with the request not to suggest the Women's National Reserve, as the writer had tried it, and found it wanting, nor the Efficiency Board. Discussing the request, several of the members gave instances to their personal knowledge where women had done men’s work on farms. It was decided to circularise branches asking them to cotamunicate on the suggestion*

The net profit of the year’s working of the Wellington municipal electric lighting undertaking is £16,255, and the tramways profit t12,563. The Railway Department yesterday received a number of enquiries as to whether the through express to Christchurch is among the services cut out as from Monday next. Reference to the advertisement yesterday will show that the only daily mail train to Dunedin will be the 1.25 p.m. express. The second express from Dunedin to Invercargill will also be cut out. Some queer excuses were advanced by youthful offenders who had been brought before the Magistrate yesterday to tell why they had failed to attend parades under the Military Service Act. One lad said that the reason he had not fulfilled his military requirements was that he had joined a circus. "Did you get any wages from the circus?” asked the Magistrate. "Not very often," was the reply. Another lad said that his failing to attend parades had been occasioned' by the fact that he had fallen over a broken bottle and maimed himself. The military representative explained that the defendant had attended 17 parades out of a possible 4S, whereupon the Magistrate remarked: “You must have fallen on quite a lot of bottles.” At the conclusion of the business of the Mataura Borough Council the Mayor (Mr F. IV. Brown) was asked to retire for a few minutes and Councillor Curtin was voted to the chair. The Council unanimously decided that the Mayor s honorarium be fixed at £3O, and in conveying the resolution to the Mayor Councillor Curtin said the Council had had a strenuous term and the Mayor had carried on the work in a courteous and obliging manner throughout his term of office.- The Mayor, in returning thanks, said the Councillors had given him every assistance during his term. The town clerk had also been of great assistance and altogether his term of office had been of a most pleasant nature. An unfortunate accident happened on Saturday night about 10 p.m., at the Lillburn creek bridge, where a washout recently occurred, carrying away the approach, says the Otautau Farmer. Robt. Gore, a fencer on Wairoto station, was leading a hack across the temporary planks giving access to the bridge when the horse pulled back and precipitated him over the side. In his fall Mr Gore struck his leg on a beam inflicting a severe tear in the flesh above his knee. The sufferer also got a severe shaking, as the fall was about 30 feet. He lay stunned for some time, but was ultimately able to crawl out and. though unable to walk, reached Wairoto station about 7 a.m. on Sunday. Mr Kilpatrick immediately sent for Dr Stewart, who attended to the injured member and ordered the patient's removal to the Riverton hospital With reference to the information conveyed in a paragraph from the Southland Times that Sir Joseph Ward had not been re-nominated as the representative of the Lake County on the Bluff Harbour Board, and that Mr Peter Held, who contested the seat with Sir Joseph three years ago, had been declared elected, a different complexion has been put on the matter by Mr R. A. Anderson, Sir Joseph’s partner, who is at present In Christchurch (says the Christchurch Press). Six weeks before the nominations closed Mr Anderson received a cable message from Sir Joseph stating that he still desired to represent the Lake County on the Harbour Board, and Sir Joseph's nomination paper was signed by two electors of the county. Sir Joseph was cabled to and asked to communicate his consent to nomination to the Returning Officer. Up to the time that nominations closed Sir Joseph's cable had not reached the Returning Officer. Mr Anderson communicated with Sir Joseph on the subject, and received a reply that Sir Joseph had cabled on the oth Inst, to the Returning Officer accepting nomination. Evidently this cable has gone astray, and efforts are now being made to trace it. but its non-receipt prevented Sir Joseph's nomination being accepted, and consequently Mr Peter Reid was declared elected. A very choice assortment of Sateen Cretonnes has just been opened at THOMSON & BEATTIE'S. The designs and colourings are excellent, and anybody requiring something special in coverings and hangings should not miss seeing these goods. Prices 1/2, 1/3, 2/-, 2/3, 2/6 and 2/9. Lovers of good tea should drink Baxter's choice HAVA TEA from the Rava Tea Gardens—pure, popular, pleasant. This delightful beverage has been long and favourably known to the people of Southland, and continues to increase in popularity. Try it. In years gone by the Eiderdown Quilt was relegated to the spare room more as an article of ornament than of use. Now, however, it is very much in evidence as an every night article of comfort. Recognising this fact, Messrs r-* ICE & BULLEID, LTD., have purased freely for this winter’s selling a nagnifleent selection of these popular Quilts. They are showing in the centre of their main shop numerous samples of the various qualities and designs. These by no means represent the full stock which for variety, value, and quality is undoubtedly a creditable one. The materials are of the best and the designs and colourings are truly artistic, reflecting great credit on the manufacturers and the department buyer who made the selections. Bomewhere, a voice is calling, calling, A petulant hoarse refrain: *Tis the voice of a loved one bawling* Calling me back again. A wail from the nursery falling, falling, 1 Poor Clarice has croup. I'm sure; The voice of my darling calling, calling, For Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure. For this week—Special value in Ladies’ Woven Spencers and Bodices, ail splendid value. Here are a few of our keen prices: White and natural bodices, were 1/11 and 2/6, bargain price 1/6 and 1/11. White Cotton Bodices, 1/6, 1/11 and 2/6. Good warm merino and woven Bodices for winter wear selling at 3/9. 4/6, to 7/6. A lovely range of spun silk Bodices Belling at 6/5, 6/9, 7/6. A large stock of ladies’ all-wool Knickers in navy and black with bands and elastic, 5/11, 8/11 to 13/11. Fleecy lined Knickers in grey, very cosy for winter wear, 2/11, J/9. Also a splendid quality at 4/11. 'otton Bloomers In white and navy, 2/11, '/6. Call and inspect. No one asked -.■» buy. See windows at H. &J. SMITH, •TD., Underwear Specialists, Tay street. •»hone 288. The largest and most up-to-date garage in the Dominion is now being constructed for Messrs G. W. Woods and Co. on the same site as their old premises. In the meantime the garage is In street, and the offices upstairs in tbe Federal Buildings. Full stocks of •ars and accessories are now on hand. Muslins, Silks, WooUens, Overalls—anything that goes into the washtub—can be washed spotlessly clean with "NO RUBBING” Laundry Help and with practically no rubbing! Think of It! 14ATHESONS, LTD., Grocers. Shirts of quality, value, and style. All British manufacture. UNDRILL'S, opp. Post Office. Ask distinctly for SANDER'S EXTRACT, and you will derive the benefit that thousands have before. The GENUINE SANDER EXTRACT means efficacy, reliability, and safety—no depression or Irritation like with the common ecuajjrptus. x SYNOPSIS NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Wanted, boy. Wanted, horse. For sale, car. Lost, handbag. Lost, silver watch. For sale, ducks. Wanted, machinist. For sale, cocksfoot. For sale, dairy farm. Wanted, married ploughman. Board and residence for school girls. Price & Buileid are leading house for millinery. On page 3 Warm neckwear for cold weather at the Forum, Ltd. Consult J. D. Gilmore if your eyesight Is troubling you. • The best folding card table is obtainable at Seoullar & Chisholm, Ltd. St. Andrews Society monthly social to-rVjht. l/ufi Harbour Board —Notice re election of member. Notice by John Stead re mayoralty. Borough of In’gill—Notices re municlelection*.