Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1917 CIVILISATION STILL AT STAKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 March 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1917 CIVILISATION STILL AT STAKE.

The enemy in their remarkable retirement in Picardy have followed their ruthless practizes to the full. As they opened the war, so they have continued it, and so apparently they will go on till the Allied forces finally checked the excesses by domioant power. A great American daily in drawing a parallel between the peace movement nowadays and that of the war of the North and South, referring to the germ of the present conflict says ; “ All that civilisation means remains at stake. Nothiog has yet been decided as to the momentous question raised by Germany in the first week of August, 1914, when she sent hor vanguard of hosts into Belgium to burn, to slay, to ruin a nation because it stood between Germany and a purpose, and dared to defend its honour and its independence. Those who fired Louvain and sank the Lusitania rule Germany ; they remain faithful to the spirit of those crimes, and while this condition endures, peace is impossible for long, and peace now would be a crime against posterity.” The German has elavated the German interest and the German purpose above all that civilisation has acquired in the centuries. He has proclaimed in advance of the present war that German necessity was above law, and he has practised this doctrine on all the fields of battle. Whenever German armies have gone there have been atrocities and brntali* tics, not those of war merely, but those organised carefully and scientifically, planned butcheries which are the last expression in blood of the meaning of Germanism in the world to-day. In analysing the parallel we have referred to the American critic says :—“ We Americans must remember our own history tc-day. With the same clarity, the same vision whioh the great crisis of our history repealed half a century ago, the people of France and Britain, the mothsra and the fathers of those who are dying in inlanders nod Picardy, are envisaging

the future. Their spirit, their will, their determination are what outb were; equal suffering haa developed equal constancy, courage, inspiration. Let up not forget that we escaped because our fathers and our mothers hid the courage and the vision to suffer and ecdnre. Weareoue country with a simple destiny, and free from all perils of frontiers and quarrels, because the war of the North and the the South was fought to its finish. Let us not forget that for democratic Europe our example is a precious example and an inspiring parallel. Let us not forget, also, that peace now in Europe would be precisely the thing peace in 1864 would have been in America. Now, as then, the war is approaching its decision, but now, as then, the great question is not decided. Nor should any man or woman ever forget the great question. It was posed the hour in which Germany invaded Belgium. It is being raised where Germans are masters and are adopting the methods of the ancient Pharaohs and driving the people into slavery. It was raised by the Lusitania crime, it has been raised in Rumania where new reports of German barbarities reveal the fact that the German idea lives and marches still. ; . . The war was provoked after long preparation, it was prosecuted with fiendish brutality which still endures. It can only end when this German spirit is exercised. It can end only in one way, because to believe that R could end save in German defeat would be to believe that we were witnessing the end of all that makes for sweetness and light, for human happiness and human aspiration in this world.”

The Success Dredge washed up ou Thursday for a return of 260 z 4dwts for 110 hours working.

The relatives of the late Mrs J. D. Allen insert a notice of thanks in this

issue. Mr R. Cropp, Koiterangi, has received the following telegram from the Minister of Defence. “Regret to inform you that cable received this day reports 23/108. W. L. Cropp was wounded on March sth. Please accept my sympathy and hope for speedy recovery.” It is hoped this young soldier will have a speedy recovery.

Rifleman Ritchio writing to the County Office says: “I wish to thank you heartily for the fine Xmas parcel received four days ago (13/1/17). Am glad to be able to tell you that 1 have been getting on fairly well. I intend writing you soon and giving y; u all tbe news. We are having our coldest weather just now—4 or o inches of snow ; but we have cood quarters, heaps of cbthes and plenty of goed food. I wish to be particularly remembered to all friends on the West Coast.”

An application is being made to the Postal Department for a subsidy for a motor service from Hokitika to Jacksons by which passengers and mails from Christchurch will be delivered at Kumara at 5.45 p.ra. and Hokitika at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays instead of at 9.40 a.m. next morning, as at present. A syndicate is suggested and preliminary arrangements for the running of the service ar* now being advanced. The service would bo a great boon to Kurnara and Hokitika passengers, saving both time and monoy by the shortening "of the trip. Passengers and mails as a matter of fact would be landed' in Hokitika at the same time as they now arrive at Greymouth.

The death took place at Auckland Public Hospital ou Monday morning of Mr Fred W. Daval, who was wellknown in theatrical circles in the colonies. He commenced as a clog dancer in England. He arrived in the colonies in 1866, and worked for Mr John Bennett of the Thames, in 1867. He made two trips to India, one in .1873, and the other ten years later. Mr Duval for many years was connected with the Pollard Opera Company, and later was with Dix’s vaudeville companies and Mr George Stephenson's ventures, His last activities in the theatrical line were with Mr Tom Pollard in Grey, mouth. Mr Duval was sixty-eight years of age.

In a later letter Rifleman Ritchie, who at tho time of writing was with the N.Z, Pioneers says. “On Xmas night we had a small West Coast gathering. Many were unable to get along- Those present included Bart Dowel], W. J. Inglis, R. Fountain, S. J. Stuar l , G, N. Spence, W. F. Chapuvn, T. J. Stuart, Hughie Linklater, Jas. Johnson. 1 have seen several other Coasters since, including Harry Rasmussen, Dave Mclntosh, Sergt Quarter-Master Folley, and Henry Eggeling—all are doing well. Things arc quiet here now. We know however, that there is stern work ahead. Our fellows are in good fettle and are thoroughly used to the climate. We don't know what the future holds in store. However, we are ready, and can wait with every confidence.”

Mr M. H. B. Barr of tho Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, has just returned ftom a visi* to South Westland. He is enthusiastic over the possibilities of the district for farming of all kinds. The land, he considers, is equal to the best in Hawke’s Bay. At present it is shamefully neglected aad thousands of acres of splendid land are given over to tho blackberry and Californian thistle. Fine crops of turnips are left to rot away for the lack of stock to eat them off. He is confident that land to be purchased at present for £8 an acre will bo worth from £6O to £BO when the Otira tunnel is completed. The Canterbury farmers cannot remain much longer in ignorance of the splendid farms that can be picked up for a song so close to them. The district wants a jam factory to dispose profitably of the blackberries. It also wnnis up to date methods of farming. There is a splendid opening for additional cheese factories. Mr Barr considers it criminal waste to allow such valuable soil to escape cultivation.

Messrs J. Brllantyne and Co notify special lines in boys Roslyu all wool

jerseys. The Municipal Band will play a number of selections on Cass Square on Sunday afternoon, commencing at 3 o’clock-

Messrs K. scan urr-r, rao'o; car was dontroyed by fire at Luke Knnieri last nif’d.

Mr W. A. Comport of Rimu ha 3 baon edviaod by the Minister of Defence that bis second sen Private John Comport has been wounded in France and extended hopes for a Bpeedy recovery.

« Hon Arthur M. Myers, Minister in Charge of Munitions and Supplies, states that the Advisory Board for Military Purchases bas just completed contracts for supplies for the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces for the current year. The contracts, which are Tor clothing made in New Zealand, boots made to the improved specification of th 6 authorities in New Zealand, and food for the camps and total in value the sum of £200,000 They have been placed as far as possible in such a way as to distribute throughout the Dominion the necessary inanufa«turing, having regard to the best prices quoted?

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