Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1917, Page 2

j The exposure of German intrigue in | regard to the plots in America just I published i sfully condemnatory of our recreant foe. German methods for the i past three years have plumbed, surely, ' every depth of jnfatny to gain the unholy ends in view, in any and every way to win the war, and that she lias ' failed signally at every point, is a wellj deserved judgment on her impious mej t-liocLs. Apparently Gerniany liad plonI tv of rope in America, and the. toruI jiorary freedom there was used to the fullest advantage, but with the negative results. Germany appears to have the conviction that might and money may overcome all this, and with these two assets she set out to conquer the world. This egotism was begotten of the German thought crystallised by one of the national writers into this sort of thing; “The German people is always right, became it is the German people and number 87 million souls.” But German thought was found to he very much amiss no sooner than the first few days of the war, when it found its overmastering way checked by little Belgium. Then came ‘•tin* contemptible army” together with the gallant sons of France, which combined overthrew and turned back the invaders from their time, table march to victory. German thought* is changing rapidly. It- is losing its arrogance Its folk would sue for peace now, and Germany is herself a suitor for peace on terms which she dare not yet speak aloud. But the years of i-iitldessness and plotting havo added black pages to her history, and now there are not any who would take even the serious word of Germany. It is a nation disgraced which has now to submit to exposure after exposure all over the world of the vain efforts she made to win the war by intrigue and chicanery.

T ,k members of Parliament who very properly took up the matter of Defence expenditures last- week when the Defence estimates were under consideration of the House last week, got very little for their pains. Mr. Poland seemed to he stating the position very accurately when ho declared that it was most unsatisfactory that absolutely no information was available regarding war expenditure. There should be a select committee to which all details should be furnished. The general public had an idea that there was extravagance, and members had nothing to say in 'reply. The Minister replied that he invited the closest investigation of the Defence accounts by the Public Accounts Committee, but it appears that the Houso had not set up such a Committee. Sir James Allen expressed faith in his Department’s administration and challenged the closest investigation and criticism. Holding this superior attitude the Minister, would have done well to have boldly ] set up the Committee, because a s plainly stated by Mr. Poland, there is much criticism among the public as to the alleged waste going on. Thoro has been much overlapping noticeable even kero, and the echoes one hears from other places, suggests that wha-t the Minister believes to be a very insignificant tiro, is causing much clouding smoke. The expense for the various Boards continually on the wing all over the Dominion must he enormous. In this and other directions no doubt great savings could be made. The. Minister of Defence is supremo in his' own Department, and apparently any

protest from mombers is of no avail. At the present moment it is the most important Department in the Public Service, and the Minister should bo zealous to soo that the people have tho fullest confidence in him and the administration. The present lack of knowledge doo s not, ensure that degree of confidence. j