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Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1917, Page 2

Mn Noel Buxton, M.P., wrote recently in the “Nineteenth Century’’ on the interesting question of detaching Bulgaria from the Central Powers a war move on the part of the Allies, and he writes in tho “Contemporary Review” on “The Destiny of the Turkish Straits.” Mr Buxton has buwi. familiar with the political leaders of Bulgaria and Servia for some yeais past, and ho reminds us that he has been in Bulgaria during the war, having gone there at the request of Mr Lloyd George in September, 1914. He states that the advantages of the ci« taehmenfc of Bulgaria have become particularly evident to him, and he considers the proposition both feasible and consistent with honour. Indeed, he says, Bulgaria ought never to have been allowed to join tho Central Powers, and could have been won over to the. Entente if it had not been for stupid diplomatic blunders. There are conspicuous signs of a change of mind in Bulgaria, and Russian Ministers have expressed the opinion icat it is time to plaeo before tho Bulgarian Government and people an offer which may attract them. On the subject of tin control of tho Turkish Straits, Air Buxton remarks that the objections to Russian annexation, which have proved insurmountable in the past, are equally cogent to-day, and the only sure guarantee of peace is tho establishment oi an international system. He quotes the joint (British and French Government of the New Hebrides as furnisniiig a - valuable precedent for international organisation. Wo wilio live nearer to tho scene are not so sure uv Mr Buxton of this “valuable priv cedent.”

Whiting in the “Contemporary” •* Parliament and expenditure, Mr W. J. Williams states that the total co»<of the war to March 22nd last was £4,200,000,000, and it is evident thpt that the National Debt at tho end of the war, say, this year, cannot be expected to he less than £5,000,000,000 — which would require from £250,000,000 to £300,000,000 annually for the Debt Service. Mr Williams makes soms suggestions which are well worthy ol consideration by the bederal and State Governments of Australia:. Might rt not he possible, lie asks, to appoint a committee of the House, armed with strong powers, which shall report rapidly on proposed outlay during war —in some departments, if not all ? In view of tho prospect of heavy burdens after the war, and the plain need for care, Parliament, he says; cannot amend "the ways of control over expenditure too soon. The country in growing uneasy under its vast commitments, and wishes to bo assured that Parliament is giving earnest attention to the capital matter of expenditure. Writing on the same subject in he “Nineteenth Century,’ Mr J. A. R. Marriott, M.P., says: “There are certain sections of the community to whom the war has brought unprecedented affluence. They can hardly lie exported to he clamourously insistent upon the curtailment of expenditure. But if we desire to avoid disaster we must subject our financial methods to the clearest scrutiny. Lavish expenditure is the inevitable corollary of war. But the after-war recovery will ho sound and speedy in proportion as expenditure is kept within the narrowest, practicable limits. Tho country is m no mind to tolerate the starving of the services but it will hold to strict account those who are responsible for the spend ing of money which tho country finds.”