The Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1917. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12085, 14 August 1917, Page 4

The Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1917. EDITORIAL NOTES.

THE MILITARY ACE. If it be true, as is stated by Mr Statham, M.P., on the authority of Mr Masse}', that Cabinet has never considered the proposal for a reduction of the age of military conscription, then the Defence Minister has surely placed himself in an extraordinary position, and there are all the makings of further Ministerial dissensions. It is difficult, however, to believe that Sir James Allen has not consulted at least some of his colleagues on th e question. So serious a proposal, involving a most 'undesirable imitation of enemy methods of raising troops, should properly havo been submitted for Cabinet consideration before it was proclaimed throughout the Dominion as an intended Defence policy, and Sir James Allen is a very courageous man indeed if he has promulgated the intended measure entirely on his own responsibility. There can be little doubt now as to the fate of the proposal to recruitl youths of nineteen. From end to end of the Dominion protests have been raised, in the newspapers, at public meetings, at the tables of local bodies, and in the churches—in fact, wherever opinions can be voiced—against the Defence De. partment's ill-advised intention to force boys into the firing lines. Our enemies have applied conscription to immature youths, but our resources in manhood are certainly not at such a low ebb that we are compelled to draw upon those not yet out of their teens. Military and medical opinion is dead against the extension of conscription to youths, and although there are instances ,of very young men withstanding the severe work of campaigning, there is the sbundest basis for the rule that none under twenty should be called upon to undergo the tremendous physical strain of soldiering under pre-sent-day conditions. It is significant of the .universal character of the opposition to the Defence Minister's proposal, that- even the Second Division, yUph WM hive been relieved to some

extent by the reduction of the age, has added its voice to the protests. No Second Division man could conscientiously take advantage of exemption from service at the expense of boys who, no matter how great their pluck, could not reasonably be expected to stand up against the severe testa of war conditions. Wo believe the men of New Zealand would bo prepared to accept the raising of the military age to forty-eight in preference to - the conscription of nineteen-year-old boys; but. there is no need for an alteration in the existing limits either way while the Second Division, as at present defined, remains unexhausted. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. The Houso has now been in session nearly seven weeks, and although we were told that policy measures were well forward at the end of June, we must confess ithat we have sjeeni Hittle evidence of preparation. After -sitting for six weeks, what, may we ask, has been accomplished by the House? True, the Address-in-Reply—an old method of wasting time which might very well have been dispensed with under present conditions, which is no time for ceremonials—has been finished, the Budget has bee u delivered, and the Loan Bill has been passed—the lastnamed, although involving £21.000,000, occupying but two clays of the representative chamber. If business is to be conducted in the leisurely manner of the last six weeks, the session wJ,ll assuredly last a full year, but we suppose the usual custom will be followed, and the last few days will witness measures being rushed through without the smallest consideration. Among the measures which will monopolise much time and probably lead to acrimonious discussions is the long-prom-ised Liquor Bill. Both sides have interviewed Ministers, the case for both parties has been placed before the Cabinet very fully, and members, we suppose, have already made up their minds as to how they will vote, and consequently we can see no good reason for the inordinate delay which has already taken place, We are not surprised to find that the proposal to nationalise the trade has received no encouragement from the Government, which has declared through the .. Prime Minister that the Cabinet cannot see its way to increase the Dominion's financial responsibilities during the war. We understand that the cost would w be appioximately £10,000,000, and considering the heavy obligations which the war has placed on the people, there is little surprise that the Government should hesitate. For a full' quarter of a century the trade has been living, as it were, with the sword of Damocles hanging over it; the members of the trade have been fully cognisant of the position; they have been aware that the issue lay in the hands of the peoples, and as business men they have entered into their engagements with their eyes open. The percentage of hotels which have not changed hands since the early nineties must bo indeed very small, and consequently wo must assume that when the leases or purchases were entered into the parties immediately interested acted delibrately and with a clear understanding regal ding probable consequences. We hope- the Parliament which was elecsecT in 1914 will do nothing in the direction of curtaili'.'g the powers of the people, either in connection with this subject, or in any other. In a 'country where democratic ideals are supposed to animate all classes, it would be a ,sad day for cur proud traditions if the Legislature, in defiance of the wishes of the people, were to deprive the democracy of any of its hard-won rights. No count>-y can afford to take a step backward. Progress should be the watchword of all, and it would be a suicidal policy to attempt to deprive the people of their free right to govern the country and all that it contains. History shows that no country which has attempted to deprive the people of their privileges has long survived. Sceptics have but to peruse the pages of history for abundant proof of this assertion* ECONOMY! Unquestionably the Government should show an example to the people in conserving the resources of the country : it should be the exampler, and should bo proud of the privilege of leading the people of the country in the paths of economy and rectitude. Example is infinitely better than precept, and we hold that the Government occupies a position in this country which should enable it, if it wished, to lead the fashion and to do an immense amount of good. And it must be remembered that a National Government in this respect occupies a position immeasurably stronger than could a party Government, since, with condi* tions as they are at present, adverse criticism has been practically eliminated. But has the present Government risen to the great occasion which presented itself with the incoming of the Avar? Clearly it has not, and there is little wonder that the discontent throughout the country is gathering strength every day. Whilst the members of the Administration have on various: occasions endeavoured to inculcate the principles of economy into the minds of the people, they have not deigned to practise the precepts which they preached, and a literal interpretation of their injunction might be rendered: "Do as I say, not as I do." An examination of the Stato accounts reveals no evidence that any serious attempt has been made to stem the tide of departmental extravagance which has been indissolubly associated with the administration of every Government sinco the establishment of the colony. In this connection we will go further and assert without fear of contradiction that every department has phown increased expenditure since the outbreak of the Avar. A critical examination of the public accounts avoulcl shoAv that the amount of money which has been frittered away during the last three years has been colossal, and Avhile additional taxation' is being levied in all directions we hear never a word of retrenchment in national expenditure. An item Avhich appears on the unauthorised expenditure lists calls for investigation, and Ave hope members will insist on details being laid before the House. Some months ago there was- an official opening of a soldiers' hospital at Hanmer Springs, for which numerous invitations were issued. A Ministerial party travelled .to the scene of

the revels per special train, and we understand the guests also. Numerous questions were asked at the time as to who was paying the bill, but these queries: were side-tracked as impertinences, and so the matter was allowed to drop. According to the unauthorised expenditure accounts recently published the jollification cost the taxpayers of the Dominion more than £3OO. Is this playing the game? Can anyone justify such reckless expenditure? If the country had hundreds of pounds to burn, surely some better use could have been found for it than to provide a free excursion to people well able to pay their way. Is there any surprise that there is a rising tide of discontent throughout the country when such things as this occur?