BUSINESS NOTES

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 December 1916, Page 3

BUSINESS NOTES

» "Call at Gibson's tonight" is .the text of an advertisement for Mr J- 'W • Gibson, appearing in to-day's wanted column. Santa Glaus will arrive at Aitken's to-morrow afternoon nt three bringing all his wonderful toys and novelties for the children. Parents should not fail to bring the kiddies along to see the Grand Old Man. Mr AValkley draws attention on page 3 of this issue the days and hours his shop will be open during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Mr A. W. Smith has just opened up a new lot of electric motor hams. They are to be sold at a great reduction on ordinary prices.

rioLence. The United States wore 1 •eady and eager to co-operate with svery influence. The United States 1 vere not at liberty to suggest, but '■ ;ho President feels it is his right and luty to point out his interest in tho ' var's conclusion, lest he be too late ' ;o help to accomplish some of tho ' rreat things lying for settlement be- 1 ore tho conclusion of the war; and ' vhich might become intolerable; and ' est, above all, injury be caused to ;i •ivili-ation which could never bo itonod for. The President therefore 1 eels justified in taking an immediate ' ipportimity for comparison of views 1 ■cgarding the terms which must pro- ' odea peace arrangement. . He eon,iintcs: '"If the contest must continue 1 owards indefinite ends by slow attri- ' ,ion until one group is exhausted; if ' nillions of human live* must continue ;o be offered until one side no more 1 •an offer "resistance; if resentment 1 mist be kindled which never will cool, md hopes of peace thus rendered vain si:d idle, the life, of the entire world vill be profoundly affected. No nation stands outside the influ- ' nice or beyond the disturbing effects >f the war, yet tho concrete objects or which the war is being waged have lover l>oon definitely stated. The ' lelligerents' leaders have stated" the objects in general terms but nlcver lave avowed the precise objects which vould satisfy them. Tho world was oft to conjecture what, definite remits, guarantees, territorial changes, ' ir readjustments, .awl what stage of nil its- j y (success would bring th • var to an end. Maybe peace is 1 learer. We know that the terms ( lire not so (irrecoincilnblei as some 1 eared, and that an interchange of c 'ieivs would clear the way for a con- a 'erence. The President is not pro>osing peace; is not even offering < nediation; he is merely proposing t ;hat soundings be taken in order to i iscertain how near is the haven of t leace, for which all mankind has an \ ntonse -and increasing longing. Re 1 Sieves tho spirit wlierein he speaks md the objects which he seeks are unlerstood by all eoncorned and cotifilently hopeis for a response which vill bring new light into the world's t iffairs which will insure the world's t leace and justice. i f surprise in Washington. e Washington, s Dec. 21. The surprise' was profound and a ■re.nsa tion caused by President "Wilson' .Note. It is pointed out they ,vero prepared prior to the Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George's speech. The Ger-man-American papers are delighted 4 md fsay President Wilson lias won mduring fame. 1 PRESS OPINIONS. f Tlie New York Times does not jhink the Note will do harm. Fortunately President AVilson does not iffer mediation. The Herald .savs tho President's iction must be construed in to Berin's cry for peace. If the suslicion is unwarranted the coincidence s striking. The New York World says the request is certainly without ulterior or selfish motive, therefore it cannot be ignored. There was a further sharp decline in prices in Wall-street. Mr E. Lansing explains that the Peace Note is a preliminary to the : United States asserting itself against all I lelligerents which invaded its rights. It is not unlikely that the United' States >is drawing near Jthe verge of war. I (Reecived This Day, 9.30 a.m.) NATIONAL WAR SERVICE. London, Dec. 21, The Daily Telegraph, in outlining the scope of the National War Serviec sclicmo, says it is of the boldest and most far-reaching character. Men between seventeen and fifty-six must place themselves at the disposal of the State for, the duration of the war, and consent to be transferred to occupations and localities where their services will be most required. It is esesntial that the State must have power to control and direct the mobility of labor. There is no guarantee at present that men will be released from the army for agricultural work and will return to the land. The Government proposes that full trade union wages shall be paid to war workers, in addition to a subsistence allowance of 2s 6d daily, if the men are transferred in such in manner as will necessitate maintaining two hci%ies. A schedule of indispensable and non-essential trades will be drawn up, and non-essential industries closed down without compunction iin order that labour may be, avalablo for munition and productive industries. The stimulation of the mobility of labour is important as

iddiing to the quantity of the output, [t is estimated that 40 per cent of ;he war workers at any, given time vre idle r/wing to lack of mobility. Mr Neville Chamberlain's ehiel unctions will •be tlie transferring of latches to places where workers are lrgently required; he will have power ;o billet war workers in private houses. It is important that trade unon leaders shall be associated with Vtr Chamberlain's work. Following ;he analogy of Lord Derby's recruitng scheme, a short time will -be allow?d for voluntary, enrolment of war vorkers, and if the necessary men are lot forthcoming. Government will appeal to Parliament for compulsory lowers. Tlie War Office has releassd 12,000 miners wlio are unfit for ;ciural service, and they have re;nrned to' the mines. The Governnent has granted the Trish raihvavncn a 7s weekly increase.