THE WAR

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 11 December 1912, Page 2

THE WAR

There are many reasons, even local ones, why the uplifting of the Balkan war cloud is to be acchimed. It is evident now that the Powers are not going to be drawn in, as all arrange^ menta appear to be understood all round. Whether one or other of the Balkan League get the advantage is a question for one or other of the Balkan League to worry over. For the Empire it is great that the state of the fleet and army are not to be tested by the supreme test of war just yet. The fleet seems to require considerable attention first for organisation which is proved by Lord Charles Beresford to be abnormally defective, and by admission of the ad" miralty is unequal to its duties abroad. The British army may be all that is required, it is a matter not to be discussed by such light as we possess here. But our newly raised forces are up to the mark. The declaration of the general muster of 25.000 already, so early in our career—new career— is according to the highest standard. But there is much to be done still in the way of up-to-date armament, of transport service, and of arsenal facilities, On the whole then it is well that war has been deferred sine die. Moreover there is a demand for throwing the government gradually out of the B.N,Z, for the reason, that the war is restricting the supply of money. With vyar ended that reason ends also.