NOTES OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 131, 27 February 1919, Page 4

NOTES OF THE DAY

The very violent prejudice which Mr. R. Sejiple, M.P., has againso the cablemcn who supply the Press of the world with particulars 01 Bolshevik atrocities may perhaps be modified a little by a message which we published yesterday. Aβ an advocate of a living wage and something more ho should be_ greatly encouraged in his regard for the Bolsheviks by the announcement that privates in their Army receive £6 an hour during fighting, while officers of Trotsky's private guard are paid at the rate of £2500 a month. Such news as this should gladden the hearts of all advocates of Bolshevik methods. It is unfortunate perhaps that the cable message did not stop with these cheerful tidings. Tne reference which follows to Russian money being printed in Berlin may possibly give rise to some uneasiness in the minds of local sympathisers with the Bolsheviks as to the purchasing power of the fabulous wages being paid. A printing press, whether in Berlin or elsewhere, if worked long and actively enough, is capable of turning out paper money in any quantity. Sufficient can be produced to give everyone all they require. The only drawback to this get-rich-quick, method is that there is a very definite limit to the value of such paper money. It may on its face represent a stated value, whereas in actual fact it may represent no greater purchasing _ power _ than the cost of the papqr it is printed on. Paper money without a backing is worth just as much as the credulity of the person accepting it amounts to. The Bolsheviks are no doubt, paid with this paper money, and when they draw their nominal £6 an hour they probably acquire paper which they would gladly exchange for the purchasing ''value of the Amount paid to our local watersiders for a similar period of labour on the Wellington, waterfront. Still, it does sound very alluring.

■■» * * * When Denmark's claims to recover territory taken from her by Prussia in 1864 were first raised as a matter to be dealt with by the Peace Conference some people thought that the ownership of the Kiel Canal might be involved. This waterway runs through Holstein, former Danish territory. It seems practically certain, however, that the readjustment now in prospect will be governed by the fact that Holstein and part of Schleswig arc populated mainly by German inhabitants. Though it was part of the loot wrested from Denmark in 1864 after she had waged an unequal conflict against the combined forces of Prussia and Austria, HolKtein is, and has long been, German from the 'standpoint of nationality. The greater part of Schleswig, on the other hand, is peopled by Danes who have obstinately resisted all'.at-' tempts at Germanisation. Denmark has so clear a claim to this territory that, having gained' a hearing at ihe Peace Conference, she ought to find little difficulty in securing its restoration. Possibly some transfers of population to the north and south respectively of a national frontier may bo necessary to a satisfactory adjustment. A settlement on these lines would leave Germany at least something over thirty miles of territory covering the Kiel Canal. It does not necessarily follow that she will be left in unrestricted control of the strategically important waterway, but the question of limiting her control is in any case entirely separate from that of granting Denmark redress for the foul wrong done her in 1864. *■# * » Some doubt appears to exist as to whether or not the Dominion rifle meeting at Trentham should be proceeded with this year owing to the small number of entries. This is the first occasion since the outbreak of war that it has been possible to arrange for the holding of this nnnual rifle shooting fixture. For manv years it was commonly known as the rifle championship meeting, and it usually excited a great deal of interest not only in Volunteer and Rifl* , Club circles, b«t amongst the publicgencrally. Under changed conditions, however, it appears to have lost' much of_ its interest, and though this may. in time be remedied, there can be little doubt that under existing circumstances the abandonment of the proposal to revive the fixture this year would be a small loss occasion few regrets. For the time being most people have more important matters to Occupy their attention.

An example worthy of being widely followecf has been set by the members of St. Peter's Church in organising Sunday night men's meetings, held after service, for the discussion of social and industrial questions. The sentiment in favour of sweeping social reforms has been greatly quickened during the war period, and is now widespread, almost universal. It is very necessary, however, that this sentiment should be intelligently directed, and rational and temperate discussion may bo made to assist very valuably to this end. Too many people, as things stand, pick up their ideas about politics and social reform from the catch-cries and rhetoric of frothy demagogues, who are incapable of affording real guidance, and are content if they attract attention and gain, notoriety and a position of prominence in the public eye. If the i habit of examining social .and political questions keenly and without prejudice' on their merits became at all general such people would speedily find their level. At the same time it would become much more difficult to oppose the institution of genuine reforms. Churchesare well placed to promote meetings and discussions under the right conditions, and it would be a clear gain if the practice adopted at St. Peter's became the rule instead of the exception.