THE FARMERS’ UNION RESOLUTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1472, 5 June 1905, Page 3

THE FARMERS’ UNION RESOLUTIONS.

[(To tho Editor Gisborno Times s

Sir, —Please allow mo a fow linos on tho above subject of your loading artiolo in Friday’s issue. You oondomn tho Farmorß’ Union for thoir resolution of sympathy with tho Russians on aeoount (and that only) of tho torrible losses thoy havo sustained in tho rooont naval ongagomont. With all rospoot duo to you, Mr Editor, it sooms to mo that this resolution, on tho contrary, only redounds to tho oroditof tho Farmers’ Union, and indicates that thoir hearts avo in tho right plaoo, Lot us ondoavour to take an impartial view of tho facts regarding tho Balfio fleot. You say that tho Russians do not courageously go out aud fight tho Japunoso. Was it uot oouragooua of tho officers aud man of tho throo divisions of tho Baltio floot to loovo Oronstudt on that loDgthy voyage to tho Far East via Capo of Good Hope or Suez, uot knowing but that tho least accident might deprive thorn of their supplies of coal and provisions ? Bo it remembered too that a considerable number of those wore more landlubbers—peasants from outlying districts in Russia, and their officers military men transformed or nobly trying to transform fihomsolvos into tiavale. All aboard when thoy started knew that if they did not safely reach the East thoy stood a good chance of being killed or woundod oven in tho ovont of victory. X have not yet seen tho statement boforo you made it that they did not go to fight anybody. It was admitted by our critics that the Admiral would probably seek to foroo an action with Togo,and even if ho tried to gain Vladivostok wo may be sure it was with tho intention of making it a base from which to deal the enemy some nasty koooka. The Dogger Bank affair certainly was a most deplorable incident, but it appears to havo arisen from the main body of the fleet in their nervous apprehension of torpedoers, mistaking one of their own ships in the night, whioh had got into tho fishing vessels, for the foe. The sad injury to the fishermen was promptly recompensed (although to their bereaved relatives it would seem but a poor consolation) by tho Czar's Government as soon as th 3 commission appointed to enquire had come to a decision. As to the Knight Commander inoident, whioh I thfnk took place prior to tho sailing of tho Baltic fleet, it no doubt seems a high-handed injustice. When, however, we consider that tho impression was general among the Russians that Britain (or rather the British Government) had to j some extent openly, and to a greater extent secretly, prompted the attack of the j Japanese on Russia, and that too almost, J if not quite, before war was declared, then j we will ceaso to wonder that thoir patience was not conspicuous in dealing with British ships bound to Japanese or neighbouring ports and possibly oarrying oon traband. Then as to the defiance of neutrality laws—ls it not natural to suppose that Frenchmen would bo ready to render some assistance, and Russians to accept it when their respective nations were supposed to j be firm and inseparable allies? The I Delcasse-Loubet combination evidently did their utmost to preserve neutrality, though if some parties in France had hold office there would havo been leso suspicion of their polioy being weak-kneed, and perhaps things would have gono differently. Finally, how was it a “ run'awsy affair rather than a fight” when anumber of vossels attacked by Japs, oven when the latter were in proportion of two to one, the Russians refused to strike their colors, and were according serif to Davy Jones’ locker. It may be safely maintained that, take it altogether, the story of the Baltic fleet is one of splendid heroism. With venera lion may we bend the knee to the memory of those brave departed ones. I do not think I shall be guilty ,of any great recklessness if I predict that there is a surprise in store ft t tho people of the Australasian colonies. Iu ease the war ends shortly it may just come in time to make a nice Christmas box, when next tho festive season approaches, ft is one which will doubtless be much appreciated, particularly by the woik ng Classes in Hew Zealand and Australia, mil

wi.l take the form of a request by theJapanese Government for the free and un-.-esuricted admission of the Mikado’s subjects into all parts of tils British Empire. Tnbr request having been approved by the present imperial authorities, who of oourse can refuse nothing to our gallant ally, will be forwarded to the Colonial Parliaments, with an intimation that it should be acceded to. No one en the Commonwealth or here will object, or if any presumptuous persons should do so, they will be at onc9 dubbed “factious" and “unpatriotic.” It’s a nics little way the Government at present in ofiice at Some and. its Colonial supporters have of arranging things. On this account I am disposed to agree with your comment as to the proposed increase of subsidy to tho Imperial Navy. Only it seems to ms that you scarcely go far enough. The wisest course in jjjthe event of a renewal of tho Anglo-Japanese alliance would bo to withdraw our subsidy altogether, and instead set about constructing a navy for New Zealand without delay. We are ae much the sons of Europe as the sons of Great Britain. The natural olatms of Europe are as strong upon us os the claims of Great Britain, and the alliance with them is a direct violation of them.—l am, etc., j. a. cox.