HOW TO HIT GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2461, 14 May 1915, Page 7

HOW TO HIT GERMANY

TREAT HER AS A MORAL LEPER

POLICY OF NON-TRADING

(By Telegraph.—Special Oorrisnondcnt.) Christchuroh, May 13. In an editorial entitled "What Are We To Do With Germany," the "Press" urges that at tho cud of the war there will be seen the same gift of trade to our enemy and the employment of German vessels that wo havo seen in tho past, unless some steps are immediately taken to educate our peoplo as to what truo patriotism should mean in our trade relations with foreigners. It is not necessary to show that- all tho goods we tequirc can be obtained from our Empire or from nations who are our allies, or who have remained neutral during this war. We require no goods "mado in Germany," and we do not need to employ German ships to carry our goods. If this is so,why should we employ Germans to manufacture for us ? "Wo ought not to forget the conduct of Germany. Her cipnduct is unmentionable amongst all civilised peoples, and if we do not show our resentment of her actions we are approving,of her vio. lation of treaties, of conventions, and of the rules of war, and of her murderous methods of warfare. To give effect to our resentment, however, organisation is required. Tho organisation should be first of New Zealand, but to be effective it must include our Australian neighbours. AVhat, then, should be done? We must resolve first of all to buy no German goods, and, secondly, to employ no Gorman ships. An association with this aim should be formed with branches in every town in tho Dominion. A pledge should bo given that these two resolutions would be carried out. Were Australia to unite with us in such a pledge something would be accomplished, but we must go further. To make the association effective, wo must resolve that we will not trade with any merchants that deal in goods "mado in Germany." Germany must remain for at least half a century beyond the pale of civilised nations. We should liot visit her territory nor treat her as in existence. Surely we do not desire to associate with murderers. Even if she were to offer us goods at a cheaper rate than our Empire or our Allies could supply them, we must decline to trade with her. To trade with her would bo simply to help her again to destroy us and all civilisations over which she does not rule.

This policy of non-trading must be thorough and absolute. It might be found that in our community the desire of gain—or getting cheap articles— might tempt some to ignore the best— in the best communities some rogues, some misers, some selfish unpatriotio citizens are sometimes found; There can, however, be created a public opinion that would make the '■nfliience of such undesirable persons of littlo account:

Public opinion is, in our opinion, ripe for euch a patriotic movement as we have described. We have now trade organisations to encourage trade with our Empire. Such an organisation is useful, but it does not go far enough. It can be aided, however, Ly the- new organisation wo propose. Two such organisations may work harmoniously together—the one will help the otler. Their aims are o.e, but the new oij-an-isation will bo more effective in reaching the goal for > true Empire trade. How, it may to askod, is this association to bo form.-J? There seems iittle difficulty in creating it. Let there be at once rtvrted an asr.wation in every town, and representatives cnuUl draw up a short set of rules. I .jt th« pledges run something like this:— (1) I pledge myself to purchase no goods made in Germany, and use no vessels belonging to Germany. (2) I pledge myself to purchase no goods of any kind from any merchant that sells mauo 'n Germany. Get in each 'own an acrove secretary, let the subscription be nominal (half a crown a year would be sufficient), and let the work of making pledges and enrolling members start at once—it will be too late when the war is over.

We ■ feel sure that in the present crisis associations of this olass could be formed everywhere, and even the Germans may realise that such an organisation must have a far-reaching effect. A coroner's jury has properly found the Kaiser, his Government, his generals, and submarino officers and men guilty of the murder of the victims killed by the sinking of the Lusitania. Punishment, unfortunately, cannot be meted out to the pirates and murderers. If, however, the programme and pledges of such an association were given effect to punishment of all the nation that applauds the breaking of treaties and conventions and of piratical and murderous acts would be effected. Germany can live only by foreign trade, and were she "quarantined," if we may use the term —treated as a moral leper with whom no decent civilised people could trade or hold intercourse—condign punishment would bo awarded to her. There is no use in denouncing the Kaiser or his people; let us act, and so act that they will ever regret having violated the Commandments moral people obey and cultured and civilised nations uphold.