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Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1917, Page 2

Thk collapse of the Russian offensive after tho short flash in th© pan is much to bo regretted. At the same time it could not he* altogether unoAp'.ouu. When Russia' renewed tho offensive after tho .long and painful pause following the revolution, it was clear that. internal Russia was very much disorganised. The freedom and license following the revolution had a baneful effect on the people as a whole. Tho enemy agents within the couijtry took every advantage of this, and no doubt when the hordes of exiles began to return for repatriation they found in them ready dupes) to spread abroad the doepest schemes to undermine authority and' produce th© chaotic state of affairs which has culminated in th© dislocation of the renewed offensive. This latter appears to have been carried forward by a comparatively few iuyui souls ready to sacrifice themselves for the honour of their country. They gave a lead and offered an example which under other circumstanced should havo had an inspiring effect. Of course Russia and the Russians will take a lot of beating. The thunder of enemy guns atthe gates mignt help to bring the people to reason. A’t the worst there might bo a peace, a. condition, of affairs which * would at once create internal conflict of a sanguinary character. ” This, of course, would ho playing into the hands of the enemy, so that from all points of view the Russian outlook is of a cheerless character so far as helping to win the war is concerned.

The National Efficiency Commission for the Canterbury Military District has propounded a useful scheme for the provision of labour for agricultural and pastoral districts. Applicants record their names, addresses and | qualifications, and these are compiled i n weekly lists and distributed t© the various. Country Committees. In the caso of Westland’ the lists of applicants are open for inspection at the County Chambers, Hokitika, and this course should lead to a quantity of suitable labour being brought into tn«. district as time goes on.. To furtner augment tho supply of labour tor farming pursuits a useful suggestion was put forward at tbe local committee meeting on Monday, when it was proposed to ask ith© Minister of Mines to grant protection by regulation to all miners who might be engaged in farming pursuits during harvest! time. A large quantity of auxiliary help wm be required in Canterbury if wheatgrowing is a s extensive there as it , should 1)0, nnd it would be helpful in every way if a body of miners were available to assist in the harvesting operations. If the proposal is approved, it will bo for the Efficiency Board to organise a scheme under which tho miners oould enrol for agricultural labour during the busy period of harvest time. In this way the suggestion would bo brought into practical effect.