Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25th, 1918. BRITAIN’S SEA POWER.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25th, 1918. BRITAIN’S SEA POWER.

I’hk liritish Navy lias been credited with being Britain’s sure shield. That estimate of its power and strength has been demonstrated by the ending of tin, war, with Britain's shores kept inviolate from a designing yet dismayed enemy. With the. ending of the week, a great spectacle was to he seen in the North Sea, further demonstrating tin* absolute power of the Navy. The surrender of the great ships of the German Navy was a triumph which will pass into history as the greatest naval achievement on record. From the very outset of the war, the British Navy saved not only Great Britain, blit also Europe, and the Oversea Dominions, to say nothing of many neutral countries, from the tramp of the ruthless Hun. Throughout the whole course oi hostilities the British Navy was an indispensable. factor in contributing to the triumphant ending of the Great War and gving the Allies a- victorious and lasting peace. The British Navy policed by the seven seas and secured a pathway for all shipping. It was a wonderful demonstration of what naval power is, to secure the freedom of the J seas. And by the freedom of the .seas 1 oversea countries lived and survived the 1 restrictions of the war. In this latter success the mercantile marine played a noble part. Always trusting in the power of the Navy, the mercantile marine of all Allied and neutral nations ploughed the seas with a- sense of security horn of the knowledge that the British Navy had safely bottled up the enemy fleets which, had they boon permitted to roam abroad would have been no whit ruthless than their military on land, or their wicked submarines which stole surreptiously to sea, and which perpetrated so many acts of devil ry against- unarmed ships and other innocent prey falling into their route. All through the war, the British Navy steamed everywhere. They assisted the Allies in all directions, and saved the commerce of the world. New Zealand like every other distant country from the markets of the world, owes its immunity from direct attack in the wm and its very solvency to-day, to the British Navy. If that great maritime force had not been able to steam to points immediately at the outbreak of of the war, and held up, or swept the enemy ships from the seas, there would have been a. very different tale to tell. The safe and speedy disposal of the enemy craft, left, our sea routes clear, our coasts unharmed, and our commerce intact. Tip. British Navy, from the very outset, mothered the whole Allied project to win the war, and it- is fitting indeed that when the end conies, the main surrender of flip enemy naval force should be to the British. The spectacle is one of the greatest and grandest in history. It typifies so much to humanity, it justifies the wisdom of holding on and winning the war b.v a complete naval and military decision. Britain stands in the forefront, and in our small way New Zealand can feel some little pride, that as part of the groat Navy, this Dominion con fributed a unit which has distinguished itself at every opportunity in the Great War. There were many objections and much obloquy fo Sir Joseph Ward when he on behalf of the Dominion presented the battleship Now Zealand to the Motherland. There can never again be the same opposition. On the contrary theiv will be the fullest- admiration and appreciation that this country in a small but material way added to the strength of the great British Navy wo are all so proud of to-day.

Politics are essentially national— ui should ho for the good government of a country. It- was of the highest importance during the duration of tin* war. that the best and brightest intellects in Parliament should consort for the good of New Zealand. .So party feeling was dropped and wo had the fusiion which gave us the National Government. The war has now ended, and the question .arises has the occasion for the National Government ceased to exist? The war had its problems of extremity and long as it lasted, the time did not. permit, for all of them to be dealt with—to that extent the National Government- fell short in its mission. But reflection' will show that the new born peace will present its problems no less difficult than the circumstances of war. Many of the most pressing of the matters to be dealt, with, will nriso directly out of the war, aild for the present—the transition stage at least—national treatment of the problems to be faced is highly necessary. In this circumstance it will be difficult for New Zealand to swing back into party lines with any suddenness. The truce as far as party is concerned it. would appear, should continue, so that the legislative, work, which peace entails should he carried to completion in the same unanimous spidit as th,, war legislation. There is, of course, a. reactionary element in Parliament. This applies to the threo parties there, and it is said to exist even in the Cabinet itself, wherein friendly intercourse is said not to exist always. Great Britain purposes facing the immediate future in a National way so far as the opinions of the leading statesmen go, and the King dom will support no doubt the men who have won the way to peace. Now Zealand could do wors 0 than pattern its conduct, by the course in the Motherland and in the end we may expect. this to come to pass.

An epidemic such as that through which the community is passing and wo hope emerging from, brings to light the great value of women help in times of severe sickness and domestic strain.

There are other aspects brought to light by reason of the invasion of all classes of homes by the epidemic, and of this nature are the revelations in regard to the homos of the poorer people. In cities and congested areas the revelations of this nature have been rather appalling and the conditions which exist nre reflected in a less noticable way in the smaller centres. But- the epidemic. shows how advantageous it would be to have in connection with nil Hospital Board administration, a women’s branch which could fill a sphere ehtiicly its own in work of a, charitable nature. In former days, a Women's Benevolent Society did most invaluable work in our midst, but with a change in the administrative system the work of this nature was brought to an end. An effort was made to revive the Organisation subsequently, without avail. But there is need for such a body

and it is to be hoped that when time permits, after the subsidence of the pipsent- trouble, that the matter of restarting the organisation will be. taken up actively. Now that the war activities will of necessity die down, and there will not be such a call on the women for patriotic work for the benefit of Hie soldiers abroad, work of a- no less patriotic nature will await them for the good of the families of those about them. Much benevolent work can he done by a systematic organisation work ing quietly in our midst'. Perhaps af-ter-war condition may emphasise the necessity for its existence; but it- appears to be necessary already that a body of workers to give relief ancl help to the. poorer families should lie abroad now.