BRITAIN'S GREAT NEED.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 235, 7 November 1914, Page 10

BRITAIN'S GREAT NEED.

WANT OF EQUIPMENT. [By H. G. Wells, in the "Examiner."] LONDON, October 6. This war is a war not only of men but of things. Things also go to war. The men do splendid deeds, but it is the things that make their deeds possible and we shall misunderstand this struggle completely, and much that lies before us in this struggle, if we let ourselves suppose that it needs only a response on the part of the men to recruiting. A greater need is for gear, hoardings, taxi-cabs, the post office, and newspaper clamour, "Your King and country need you" to every able-bodied man. Much more is that true of every warm blanket, every overcoat, every flannel shirt, every stout pair of boots or socks, every service revolver, every pound note in our pockets. Much more for recruits to offer themselves abundantly, but gear has to be made and got together and bought, and has to be paid for. HAVE NOT BEGUN TO RECKON. . I doubt if the people have begun to reckon the strain of that, or of how much they may serve their country by enlisting, their property and their possessions. For let there be no mistake about the opening stages of this war. All the initial successes of Germany -were successes of gear. In artillery and transport" of every sort of supplies Germany was overwhelmingly at the advantage, and the great march that came so near Paris wss far more a triumph of boots and tyres than of men. Germany was at the outset also enormously superior in the number of her flying machines. I have pointed out and expressed my conviction that the German makes so inferior' an aviator to the Englishman or Frenchman that ultimately these latter would "bully the Germans out of the sky." NEWS CONFIRMS REMARKS. This is already happening. The first news of the British aviators from General French confirmed my very obvious remarks in a previous article about the need for a larger supply of these most esrjntial weapons, and my congratulations upon the recent energy of our aviation wing. Somebody's toes were trodden on in that since: it cracked like rifle fire through the Press and technical papers, declaring- that the report of General French had completely disposed of my "hysterics." I am not ashamed to sound a high note in a thing so urgent. I would rather crack my voice and reputation than to see this matter neglected now. It will be most lamentable if the brilliafit performances of the men we have and the reassurance of interested exports produces .national complacency in this matter, when the need for more machines and better machines, training more men and constant inventiveness, is a thing of supreme urgency. In this war of material at is Germany and Russia only that seem to have been fully equipped for a struggle of the magnitude of the present war. Russia had her surprise and learned her lesson from Japan in 1904. When the Raiser donned his shining armour on behalf of , Austria; the •Russian armour gleamed even brighter than the, German. It is astonishingly new and complete. We in England were also prepared, to the' last button, indeed, most admirably for the Expeditionary Force and with our Jndiart Army. We have ample stores on hand for the size of our Army, but now the task before Us is not only to keep up our equipment to the level of our recruiting, but also to do everything else in our power to supplement the lesser productive power of our present and potential allies.

Our part at sea is only one side of our national duty. I dare not write about our British manhood at war except to say that I am proud to be English. But we must now justify the claim to be the factory of the world. We; must show our ability to put our flannel; shirts by the million, rugs, wraps, ; waterproofs, boots, rifles, ammunition into the battle line. This is not perhaps so glorious a task as ruling all the-seas, but it is equally essential to victory. GERMANS POURING OUT SUPPLIES; No doubt Germans, on their side, are pouring, out supplies from ten thousand busy workshops, but, w r ith our uninvaded country, we shall "beat them at that. They are also making all sorts of guns and queer, war engines at those mighty works at Essen. Happily, that quality of docility and obedience in which Germans excel carries with it a lack of quick inventiveness that distinguishes both tlio French unofficial and English intelligence. Yet I can feel it in my bones the tremendous industry, .tremendous straining, the uninspired systematic German ingenuity that are going' on. They are certainly constructing Zeppelins, larger Zeppelins, im- ! proved Zeppelins; but Zeppelins are a | Teutonic illusion. They will bo no trouble to aviators with bombs or light guns firing explosive shells. The Germans will also try to make Jjigger and bigger guns, .anil I eusjpoqt

they will build up their guns on vast pedrail wheels to go over soft ground, and so convert them into slcid-like ironclads. TRAP'S AGAINST ALLIES. They are also probably turning all the river Rhine banks, from Bonn to Westel, into a diabolical network of traps and obstacles against future attacks by-allied armies, which they foresee. Incidentally, they are using up no end of stuff, but we have to reckon with this German passion for preparation; we have to keep pace with Essen. Now we have not only to keep pacd with Essen, but as soon as possible we have'to get Essen, and smash up Essen for ever. Westphalia, and not Berlin, is the vital target in this Western war on material, for it is at this centre of manufacture, and not at the centre of government, that a hostile army must strike to end the war. "BELGIUM WEEK." CAMPAIGN FOR FUNDS. COLLECTION TO-DAY. "Belgium Week'started in Christchurch this morning, when a.large number of Boy Scouts paraded for the pui*- ; pose; of taking up a street collection in aid of the fund for the homeless and f oodless people of Belgium. At 10 a.m. the' Cadet Band marched to Cathedral Square, where the Boy Scouts were 1 already drawn up. Bearing a Belgian standard, and with the Belgian colours bound'round their hats, the boys assembled in a businesslike manner, each armed with a tin collection box. Every boy wore on his breast a placard, which in terse telling terms set out the appeal. "Three million Belgians starving" ran the message on the -placards*• v.''They?re helping us; help them.:'? '' Shortly after 3.0 a.m 4 the boys marched off from the Square, the band, at their head making . m6rry music, Theyproceeded down High street, along Cashel street, and back up Colombo street to the Square. En route a number of the boys dodged their way among the spectators on the pavements, rattling their boxes and inviting subscriptions. A decorated horse and gig followed the procession, its display of flags making a particularly pretty spectacle. On their return to the Square the boys were told off to various stations arourid the city, : -and to the ra'cecdurse at Riccarton. Those who remained in the Square did brisk; business among' the large crowds who - flocked to the • race cars, and by mid-day many were holding heavy boxes. Termission has been obtained from the Mayors of New Brighton and Sumner for collections to be taken up . in those, suburbs during the week. This afternoon the collectors were reinforced by a number of ladies, who assisted the Scouts dn their work. Collection boxes have been placed in most of the hotels, and business people who are willing to assist by placing boxes in their premises are asked to communicate with Mrs Rolleston. During the week the Boy Scouts will be entertained by Mrs Rolleston a-t the circus. "Belgium Week" will conclude on Friday next, and collections will be taken up on Tuesday and Friday. Tomorrow evening" (Sunday) a grand orchestral and vocal concert will be given in' the Colosseum, commencing at 8.30 p.m.