NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 122, 17 February 1919, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

Ivobody seems to be troubling very much about the coming municipal elections. That is, nobody outside the Labour-Socialist organisation. They have selected all their candidates, and are busily engaged • preparing to conduct a vigorous campaign in the • hope' of capturing the control of the affairs of the municipality and also that of_ other local bodies. It cannot be said that citizens generally in recent years have taken the interest they should in municipal matters in Wellington. Perhaps it is a compliment to those who have had charge of affairs. It is quite time, however, that those who are concerned for the good _ government of the city were bestirring themselves in preparation for tie coming elections.

The activities of Labour-Social-ists and the general condition of unrest throughout the industrial world are beginning to make an impression on the farming community. The policy of drift which seems to mark the closing stages of the life of the Coalition Government has resulted in the Labour-Socialists having practically a free field for their propaganda. They are stumping the country, spreading their Socialistic ideas, stressing and exaggerating grievances which have grown up under war conditions, and generally striving to stimulate class prejudice and sectional strife. And the political leaders of the two main parties are content to look on. No doubt their position is an awkward one. They are to some extent fettered by the terms of the coalition, but in the meantime their interests and the interests of those who perceive the dangers of an extreme section of Labour-Socialists building up a powerful organisation in the country are being neglected. The farmers, or some of them, appear to bo awaking to the fact that to safe r guard their own interests they must be better organised politically. At a meeting held at Pal'merston North on Saturday last the general position of affairs was discussed, and it seems likely that more will be heard of the matter within the next month or two.

At a cursory reading the authoritative draft of the League of Nations covenant seems to contain little that has not been anticipated earlier news. As thoy are explicitly stated, however, the conditions governing- the ex-German colonies, in which New Zealand and Australia are particularly interestseem to afford every ground for satisfaction. ' The South Pacific islands, as well as South-West Africa, aro mentioned as territories to be brought under the laws of the mandatory States, "as integral portions thereof." This is subject only to general safegiiards_ relating to the welfare of native inhabitants, and prohibition of the -military use of territories to which the mandate extends. There does not seem to be any reason why this arrangement should give rise to the friction and troubles which have resulted from attempts to govern under a condominium. On the other hand, the treatment of colonial territories on these lines has no doubt clone much to forward the broader development of the League of Nations project.'

Loud Jellicoe's disclosures of deficiencies in naval material at the outbreak of war have naturally given rise to discussibn. Some critics have been quick to suggest that the late First Sea Lord might himself have done much to bring about better conditions while he was at the Admiralty, in one capacity or another, prior to 1914. A full answer to these strictures appears, however, in Loud Jellicoe s statement that prior to the war he constantly informed the Government of the Navy's needs, but that "it was a question of money." The public memory is short, but it cannot be forgotten that in pre-war days additions to the Naval Estimates had to be carried against strenuous and determined opposition. It'is not in doubt that if Loed Jellicoe and other naval strategists and administrators, had been given their way the Navy would have been better provided than it was at the outbreak of war.

A statement by Me. BonarLaw that the British delegates at the Peace Conference have been instructed to claim "an indemnity, including war costs, besides damage actaally incurred," is the most explicit yet made on the subject. No doubt a' claim on these lines is being pressed on behalf of the Dominions* as well as the Mother Country. The main question open concerns Germany's ability to pay under conditions acceptable to the Allies, and this, as Mr. Bonar Law mentioned, is at present inquiried into by an expert commission. One aspect of the matter was touched upon recently by a writer in the London Observer, who remarked that Dr. Helfferich showed in 1913 that Germany year by year produced and received £1,960,000,000 worth of goods, and services consumed £1,560,000,000 worth, leaving £400,000,000 available for investment. # "This surplus, at after-war prices'," the correspondent added, "would be worth probably a good £600,000,000, providing 5 per cent for interest and 1 per cent, for sinking fund on £10,000,000,000." This sum falls considerably short of the aggregate war costs of the Allied nations, but account has to be taken also of Germany's mineral wealth. There are practical objections, however, to' exacting payment from Germany in manufactured goods, and even payment in minerals and other raw materials would raise some economic difficulties. As a whole, the British commission and others appointed by the Allies will have a difhcult problem to solve in devising a satisfactory, method of payment.