THE VOICE OF FOLLY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2721, 16 March 1916, Page 4

THE VOICE OF FOLLY

The arresting feature of the meeting at Runanga a few days ago, at which resolutions relating to the war were passed, is that the supporters of these resolutions went very close to sotting themselves in line with the 1 enemy against whom the British Empire and its Allies aro arrayed. The "public meeting convened by His Worship tho Mayor"—it is to be hoped that it was a small meeting, and in no way representativepassed a resolution declining, on grounds that are possibly arguable, to assist in promoting the new. recruiting scheme. Not content with this, however, it passed a second resolution, urging the Government to recommend the Imperial authorities to state peace terms and open negotiations with the Central Powers, with a view to an early cessation of hostilities. This is either pure folly or something worse. If the peace-at-any-price demand was advanced on general principles by people who have failed to realise tho position in which Britain and her Allies are placed, it may be set down as folly. If, on the other hand, it was a premeditated utterance, made with knowledge and competent understanding of the circumstances ta which it relates, it can only be regarded as a grossly improper act, which if widely endorsed would gravely prejudice Britain and her Allies.-

Nothing is clearer at the present time than that our_ enemies would be rejoiced to enter into peace negotiations. The fact is made manifest by feelers put forth in various directions—one of the' most notable by the Imperial Chancellor in the Reichstag recently—-and even if it were not, might be inferred from the circumstances of the war. Wo believe, and there is substantia! evi-,1 donee supporting the belief, that the I Germanic Powers no longer entertain hopes of an overwhelming victory in the war. But Germany and her Allies hold great areas of invaded territory, and if their offensive power is waning, they still have vast resources at command for continuing the war within the limits to which they are confined by the developing strength of the Allies. To' treat with Germany now would be to treat with ari undefeated invader, and it is plain enough that for 'practical purposes this would bo very tnuuli the same thiiiß oe with a .conqueror. Germany and her Allies

arc eager to open negotiations, because they would hope and expect, if their desire were gratified, to negotiate from the standpoint 01" conquerors—for .the time being. Taking the initiative in peace pro-' posais, the Allies obviously would bo tentatively admitting the enemy claim. These are facts self-evident to any school-boy who has troubled to follow and understand the broacU developments of the war, .and it is difficult to believe that they liavo not been grasped in Eunanga. That any Movement in favour of an appeal for peace at the present stage is calculated, for what it- is worth, to assist the enemy is not open to question. The Eunanga resolution loses importance in this .character only because it is backed by such an insignificant body of opinion as to 'bo worth nothing. This wc are bound to believe until definite evidence to the contrary is produced. The West Coast certainly has responded in no niggard fashion to the call -to arms. How Eunanga stands in regard to recruiting wo do not know ; but presumably it- has contributed its quota of gallant men, whose sacrifices, like those of all the other soldiers the Empire has sent into the field, would be made worse than useless if the supporters of the resolution upon which wo have commented had their way.