THE WORLD'S PRESS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 196, 23 September 1914, Page 6

THE WORLD'S PRESS.

THE BALANCE OF POWER. It is suggested that interest, our interest in "the balance of power," commits us to support Russia, No man has given substance to that hollow and disastrous phrase, but nothing is more certain than that the surest way to destroy any balance of European affairs would be to help Russia to crush Germany and Austria. Such a victory would leave Russia, who already dictates to France and so seriously prejudices our own policy, the dictator of Kurope. The affected concern for '' the balance of power" merely covers the desire to strike a blow at Germany.—"Daily 'News." GIVE FREELY!

All of us, therefore, who are able to give are bound in honour and in patriotism to give according to our means, to give freely, and to give at once, tliat wo may be'prepared. Our first and most important care should be to make the Patriotic Fund a great one. After that, if we have .to spare, we should contribute to broader Imperial charities, such as the Red Cross Fund. But there should be no confusion in our giving. The Patriotic Fund represents our nearest present charitable obligation, and at a time such as this we must put first tilings first.—"Age." PLEA FOE ENGLAND'S NEUTRALITY. But the Government is not free as regards its own people. It is the trustee of the nation, and bound, above all else, to consider its interests and the interests of the mass of the community on whom the burden of all war really falls. It boasts, and with justice, that it has tried to increase the people's sum of happiness. If it goes to war, it takes away everything that it has given, and leaves them far poorer than before. It is trying to relieve suffering and to diminish disease.- War is the most prolific breeder of both.—'' Manchester Guardian."