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Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1918, Page 2

Don’t be fooled. WOLFE’S is th« only original SCHNAPPS.

Russia, in a more or less official way, has at last signed peace with Germany. It is peace at a price dearly bought—bought at the sacrifice of honor itself. What the nation can think of itself it is difficult to say, but certainly Russia has earned the odium of the onlooking world. The disruption of Russia wao a sad spectacle to contemplate, hut the saddest sight of all has been the desertion of friends and Allies who show, ed by every means possible that, they were prepared to stand by Russia, come what may. Russia is paying an enormous price for her treachery. Probably how great is not realisable yet. The description of tbe country and the grave disorders and disasters that have been chronicled within, are probably small matters to what are-yet to come. Russia passes under the heel of Germany, and so transfixed the “peace” which Russia will experience will be but a remote change from the conditions of actual warfare. To enforce law and order, Germany must press the iron heel of her martial authority hard on the neck of Russia, The latter must, give up all pretence to nationhood for she has not "the .power within herself to exercise adequate control. Ross of prestige and loss of country will not be her greatest sacrifices in this hour of greatest trial. Rife and property itself are mere chattels for the time being in Russia, without rights or security. A period of great disaster attends Russia, and in the flood of her great undoing, untold privations will be suffered, and her future destiny, once so bright, is now dimmed perhaps for ages.

Tire press of New Zealand with common consent are addressing the National Government with a good deal of advice, following the summing up of the Wellington Nojrth election. The New Zealand Times appears to put the position very aptly in an article published the day after the spirited contest, when it says:—“The constituency lias therfore, while approving the war policy of the Government, declared its disapproval of the administration of that policy. That is a decision in the spirit of compromise which so often rules the political affairs of British communities, and sometimes results in acceptance of principles with agreement. to differ about details. In this case the decision, which is plainly revealed by the analysis of the voting, is a warning to the National Government that the constituency .described |>y the Governmeni as the most intelligent in the Dominion, considers there is much room for improvement in the administration of its war policy, which policy it endorses. No one who casts bis eyes over the history of the National Government can be surprised, ind not even those who see many things to admire in the Government’s record, are likely to cavil. The Wst course for the Government is to take the warning to heart, and make its war administration worthy of the principles on which its policy is based.” This is the right tone to adopt, and it is to be hoped Cabinet will ere this, lie shaping an amended course. During jdie compaign the leading Ministers spoke of their earnestness to “win.tho war,” but this phrase must not be allowed to pass into a mere colloquial euphemism. Tbe words should be support ed by deeds—for which thero is much room for action. If this election has not been in vain, the Government will be wide awake to their obligations to the masses, and with the solid majority behind them, seek to discharge those obvious duties witji celerity. The early session, brief though it may be, should suffice for a display of bonafides on the part of the National Government which will result in a more complete renewal of public confidences Pn the personnel of the Ministry.