Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20th, 1917. SEEING IT THROUGH.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20th, 1917. SEEING IT THROUGH.

Although tho United States was slow ito enter the war, it is evident from President Wilson’s present attitude that the nation is going to see the war through just a s thoroughly as Great Britain is prepared to do. It seemed to take a very groat deal to convince Mr Wilson of the righteousness of the cause ho now espouses. The President watched small nations sacrificed, neutrals defied, and a whole gamut of small crimes gone through by the enemy before he showed an awakening regard for the situation, and what it all implied to flic future security of the world. During the period of awakening Dir Wilson appears to have been thinking hard. Tho substance of his thoughts and the conclusions he arrived at which drove him to a bellicose attitude, are set out with remarkable clearness in tho speech he delivered at tho end of last week in New York. His study of the Teuton plan for a world victory lie analysed with marked completeness. Ho reveals the enemy’s plan as it worked in the Balkans and m other territory where a designing enemy laid the plans for this great war years in advance. Germany went on with tho business of the war, and the United States continued am onlooker, hut with the President a sttule,nit of tho situation. Suddenly Mr Wilson awoke to the position to discover that “the Germans had actually cnrifled the greater part of their amazing plan into execution.” -Mt was at this stage that the President came to a. resolve that it was time the United States took part in the people’s war for freedom. Summarising the position, Mr Wilson said in his latest speech that “the great fact that stands above the rest is this, that this is a people’s war for freedom, justice and self-government, among the world’s nnj t-ions to make the world safe for tho peoples who live on it, and who have made it their own.” Having come to this resolve Mr Wilson adds the fateful, binding words: “We have made our choice. Woe to the men who seek to stand in our way! ’’ It is comforting to have this bold, defiant declaration at a time when Russia is a broken reed, and France Is far spent. Just now the burden on Great Britain is extra heavy. But it is going to be relieved very greatly by tho United States, and assurance) is doubly sure now that these two great Powers combined 'can see tho war through to a satisfactory conclusion - America is relieving Britain at once in regard to finance. She is assisting immensely in shipping and foodstuffs —and munitions of course. With the experience of tho other nations (to go Upon, America will be organising her fighting forces very quickly. This is evidenced by tho immediate adoption of conscription, thus saving the waste of time which takes place in regard to voluntaryism. This determination to hustle is distinctive of the nation, hut it is essentially a pleasing factor at this stage when men, and more men, are required for the Western Army, the theatre where a military decision of the war is to be sought. It is certainly a subject for gratification to find President Wilson and Iris country entering upon their part in the war with such spirited determination. Tho defection of Russia at the present critical stage promised to extend tjm war almost indefinitely. Tho entry of the United States will more than counter-balance the Russian military loss, and give a positive assurance that a favourable ending to the Allies will come to pass in due course. ’ With Britain and | America both bent on this decision, it ( is sure to eventuate.

The report that the deposit of lime- ! stone in the Donnelly’s Creek district, adjacent to 'Ross, as first in favour with the Government agriculturalist should bestir our southern friends to action. The deposit is a very useful asset for the district. All acquainted until agricultural chemistry advise lim o for the West Coast lands. It is the essential thing required to sweeten the land which is subject to natural aceidity by reason of the prolific vegetation and the excessive dampness. The point of view for the settler is to get tho lime at a reasonable cost, so that it can h© applied in quantity and assist in bringing the areas into greater profit. The deposit spoken of at Donnelly’s Creek is within the Borough of Itoss. It is close to a road which leads direct to the railway station, involving little more than a mile of cartage. Tho facilities for working the deposit are said to be not serious. In view of th© promising nature, of the proposition, and in the interests of the district of supplying the commodity as cheaply as possible, the proposal is not beyond the means of the local bodies to enter into. By eliminating a desire for profitable returns, the local bodies could supply lime very cheaply, and the effect would be a wider demand and use, with a marked improvement in the pastures. Indirectly the local bodies would derive a benefit from the prosperity which would follow as a result of the increased productivity of the soil, while the general advancement would enable all to participate in tho improved settlement conditions. Let there ho lime works established" without delay.

At the Borough Council l'nceting on Friday night, .the Department of Agriculture stated they would be unable to allow their meat inspector to act as manager of the abattoir, if tbe reduction of the salary paid by the Council was reduced by one-half as proposed. Tho Council referred th© matter to tho Abattoir Committee for report,, and it is to be expected that a matter of this nature will have careful consideration. In connection with the management of the abattoir something more than economy is needed, for without efficiency and every care the very purpose for which the works have been provided will be lost. The internal management is therefore of importance, and the Council should well consider the position before taking any steps which might undermine the - public benefit to bo derived from a work of this nature conducted on proper lines. The occasion for the attempted economy is financial. The stringency has been brought about, apparently, by, first- tbe fact that the loan money raised for the works was inadequate to cover the cost of the undertaking, and second, tho price of meat and tho diminution of the population owing t» men going t° the front, has affected the volume of consumption. It appeals it is not possible to increase the incomo by an addition to tho charges, so the expenditure is attacked. Tho risk of endangering the efficiency of th© works by this method in a case of this nature is at once apparent, and the Committee would do well to weign all aspects of the position. It was not intended to make a profit from the running of the works and while undue loss should he guarded against; those in authority should be careful to see that the efficient management of trie works is nob jeopardised.