The Dominion. TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1914. OUR DUTY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2231, 18 August 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1914. OUR DUTY

, > —/..'.» — ' Those who have volunteered to serve "at the front," and who have departed, or are about to depart, for the field of action, have a simpler task to .'perform'; than those who are left behind. Jho soldiers' duty is, as a rule, plain before him. The duty of'the citizen in time of war is not so plain. By duty we mean obligation to his country. , Throughout Australia and New Zealand, and indeed througbout the whole Empire at the present time, an urgent .appeal has gone forth, not.merely for soldiers to fight in the field of battle, but . for farmers, merchants, and shipowners and citizens generally to' play their part''and, fight against, trade -.depression and food famine. It is, of course, quite useless to ignore the fact that for the moment there has been a certain amount of dislocation in our trading connecand embarrassment has Been Dccasioned owing to the difficulty experienced in making financial ■ arrangements abroad. Tlieso things rare inevitable. But they are largey temporary inconveniences, and nay be overcome if resolutely faced, rhere has been in some quarters a luite unnecessary show of timidity n estimating the future and . in naking plans therefor. A. rcasontble prudence at a critical time like ihe present is excusable enough', but t is the duty of every employer : of abour, before setting out 1 to reduce lis staff, or to cut down his output, p convince himself: that it is essenial that he should 'do so. It is the luty oLevery merchant and trader /ho may-fear tho effect of war risks m tho prices of his goods and the >ossible falling off in trade, to face he position in no panicky mood, and 0 bear in mind that on his decision ndthat of his fellow traders delends largely the well-being of many housands of our countrymen cngagd in the' manufacturing industries f the Mother Country. .We do'not or _ one moment suggest that the usincss people and-traders of this o.untry should pursue a policy which light ruin them and their businesses, . ud we do say most emphatically that bey owe it to. the community and :> tho Emp'iro to play their part, nd if necessary take some risk of 3ss in an endeavour ,to maintain our vorseas trade at as\ nearly normal state as possible. 'So also in all Lher walks of life. The Government re the largest employers in the Htntryj'it is" their duty to devise ays and means -of continuing pubc works and ensuring that State srvants will suffer as little as posblo from lack of employment'. In letter which will be found in this isuc, Mr. J. G. Wn,soN, President t the Farmers' Union,' offers sug?stions as to how citizens and farm•sinay help to minimise the distress j hich may bo expected should ' the ar be prolonged. His ideas are orthy of attention, and at tho pro--2r time wo have no doubt they will | cctwith a boarty ' response. By , '.•animity of effort and a whole- i artcd determination on the part of i 1 sections of the community to < rry on their ordinary businesses, ! hatever theymaybe, to the fullest ( mit, which the circumstances may [ arrant, a great service may be, ren- ( 'red the Empire. The farming com- ; unity ean be reliftr) {$ bestir I i

ltself in tho matter of special efforts ! to increase the wheat production for the coming season, and with the trade routes now practically deal for our produce, there should be no material falling off in the exports to the markets which arc our main sources of wealth. In these circumstances, there is good reason to view the future with confidence. Neither New Zealand nor the Empire will be helped by a policy of timidity and parsimony. It is the duty of all citizons to weigh these matters in their broadest aspects, and to take' no needless step which may be likely to weaken in any way tho internal trade and business of the Empire. Tho maintenance of these is just as necessary as tho winning of a great victory by force of arms.