WHY GERMANY WARS?

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2256, 16 September 1914, Page 6

WHY GERMANY WARS?

CONFLICT, A COLOSSAL BLUNDER. ,'■'.'■'.' ~ r iT • After mentioning the general upset to commerce occasioned by the war,.the annual report of the Wellington Industrial Association,, submitted to the annual meeting last evening, said: "Nobody has yet"beeii,able to 'convincingly explain why Germany went to war, or. for what she is fighting. She had everything. to gain, by keeping the peace, .arid even at this early hour of the struggle it is becoming evident that she 'is likely to lose monarchy, colonies, trade, shipping prestige, everything that nations count worth while.. No country ever committed a greater crime to itself and its people than when • Hie 'first German troops crossed the frontier, and opened fire on the gallant, unoffending Belgians. Germany has dene an extensive and profitable trade with Australia. She has - been an increasingly large buyer of wool, hides; skins, and other products, while Australia must have proved a profitable market for German wares. Her shipping had free access to our ports, just as' free as vessels carrying, the British fl.ng. As. if, by a stroke of. the pen all this interchange and close business relationship has been wiped out?' and at i the moment it is difficult to see how Germany can : expect to regain her favourable commercial position so far as Australia is concerned during the' next generation, if ever again. One result of the war will be to draw England'and her oversea colonies closer together, to give an impetus to-British trade and skipping,' and to create a prejudice, if not something worse, towards Germany, which even time will have a difficulty ti heal. Tho whole conflict is a collossal blunder on- the .part of Germany, and tho final result is not only likely to alter tho map of Europe, but to revolutionise tho world's trade. Meanwhile Australian manufacturers, in common with ■ the rest of. the community, are likely, to suffer through the disturbance of the balance of power, and the balance of trade, but once the air has been cleared, there should" bo a revival of business, in which Australians aro bound to enjoy a reasonable share. The .familiar phrase, 'Made in Germany,' will lose its commercial significance, and articles printed 'Made in England,' ;or 'Made in Australia,' promise to' he. moro in favour in the near future." During a sitting of tho Magistrate's Court at Taumarunui on Thursday, a case was called on in which both counsel, one from Cambridge and the other, from Taumarunui, had joined the Expeditionary Force within ten minute? of each other on the samo morning. Another solicitor had received instructions from both sides, but, in fairness to the first-comer, ho gave him priority. Tho other brief was sent on to tho remaining solicitor, but when tho case camo on no plaintiff could bo found. He had also volunteered and left. Litigation regarding the ownership of a caw valued at £7, which was killed in September, 1912, involved the contending parties in an expenditure of £200. at Greqnefield, Missouri. Twenty additional witnesses have been suninionoy to appear. Mr. John Anderson, of Fleetwood, reputed to be Lancashire's oldest Crimean .veteran, has just celebrated his ninety : fourth birthday. He fought with the 30th Regiment at the siege of Sobastopol and in tho battlos of .Alma and Jnkarmani