NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 83, 2 January 1919, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

Nothing better illustrates the em-, .phatic mandate given by the British ■ electors and the golden opportunity which- confronts Mr. Lloyd George and his colleagues than the trend of voting in gilcat industrial, centres like Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool,. Manchester, and.Leeds_. With a democratic franchise estaDlithed, such areas might have been expected, in the nature of things, to figure as Labour strongholds. It is one of the most striking features of the election, and one of the brightest, that in general these industrial constituencies voted solidly for the Coalition. In Manchester, traditionally a free trade stronghold as well as an industrial area, the Government gained six seats and its opponents four. Elsewhere in similar areas the Coalition seems to have practically swept the polls. An immediate and convincing explanation of the enormous working-class vote cast for the Coalition is supplied by Mr. G. N. Barnes, who represents Labour in the War Cabinet, but severed his connection with_ the Labour Party prior to the election. He is no doubt right in believing that the country had set its face against all who had not wholeheartedly supported Britain's war efforts, and also that the Labour Party lost a great chance by truckling to Bolshevism. Probably nothing has contributed more to sa.vc the working pedple of Great Ijritain from being led astray by .the bad example of a section of their official representatives than the - courageous action of Mr. Barnes and other prominent leaders in breaking with the, Labour Party organisation rather than identify themselves with an anti-national policy. • ' , * * * As far as can be judged, the Allied policy in Russia outlined by tbe French Foreign Minister falls seriously short of what is'necessaryi In'effect, M. Pichon states that the Allies are only interested in .preserving healthy portions of Russia from ' the Bolsheviki, and. that- any effort necessary to crush Bolshevism; must be made by Russian forces.. The sole reservation he makes is that intervention beyond these limits may become necessary in order to save or safeguard Allied subjects in Russia. However technically correct i? may be, this policy is seriously open to criticism as involving at least a partial acceptance of conditions\in Russia which to all right-thinking people must seem absolutely intolerable. It is true that while Bolshevik Russia is in the •throes of a mad orgy of murder and terrorism other parts of the country, notably those in which the Allies, have landed and. co-operated with the local population against tbo, Bolsheviki; are much more happily placed. . These conditions'may seem to ensure a. rapidly, developing attack on the by their, own countrymen. Unfortunately, however, national feeling and spirit are at a somewhat low ebb in- the former Empire of the Tsars. The component carts of the vast Russian nation are loosely knit, and there-is a real danger that, failing powerful intervention by the Allies, the existing ' state of affairs may ;be in-' definitely prolonged. * . ■ * •* ' Any, doubt regarding necessity of intervention in Russia was .resolved a few. days ago when Prince .Lvoff, who was Prime. Minister in the first Provisional Government, declared it to be the one solution of the Russian problem. Prince Lvoff is an authority to whoso opinion all ■possible' weight must be attached. His work and achievements rural reformer had gained him more than national fame long before the Revolution. The purity of his motives .is above suspicion, and he is admirably qualified by gifts and attainments to say what is necessary for the restoration of his un-' happy . country.His urgentlyw'orded appeal will potently influence Allied policy. •»• * * The motto of the New Zealand Army is "Onward." 1 If we would most truly . remember the days That were bright with brave deeds and brave -sorrow, We must take with calm courage the high-going ways ' That will lend to a greater to-morrow. And though in the night-watches, dream-: !,' ing alone, _." ■ /-' AVe look back with hot yearning, and listen For the voice or the step of a friend we have known, "While the raindrops of Memory glisten. Oh! ever the paths of our people must ■go . By the earthways that beckon us sunward. For tho word that would come front those dead lips, we know, Is Onward! and Onward! and Onward! Our country is blessed with the riches of earth, Heaped high and filled- well to full ' measure— ■ Shall we dally and play in the meadows of mirth And laugh in the hallways of pleasure, Whilf, the world marches on towards the high goal afar AYhere the brave ■ shall be given their guerdon? ' Shall we turn from the light of the , ■ beckoning star And rest by the side of our burden? . . By tho heroes who died for our free- ■ dom, wo know AVe must take the high roads that lead sunward, And the message that comes when the New Tear lights glowIs Onward! and Onward! and Onward! -AVILL LAAVSON. . January, .1919.