OTHER PAPERS’ OPINIONS.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 116, 14 January 1926, Page 4

OTHER PAPERS’ OPINIONS.

GERMANY’S CHANGE OF HEART. A cablegram mentions the fact that none of the tributes paid to Queen Alexandra’s memory has been more glowing than those of the German newspapers, and adds that President von Hindenburg’s massage is couched in most sympathetic terms. The readiness of the Germans to say the right thing at the right time may be regarded as a fresh evidence of that “ change of heart ” for which everyone waited after the war. Another evidence mentioned in the cablegrams is the decision of the .Federal Council c-f Germany to sign the Locarno Pact. There is still opposition to the Pact in some quarters, a few of the German States having voted against it, while a few' more abstained from voting-; but the general feling of the German people appears to be definitely in favour of co-operation with the nations of Europe to promote peace and progress. The passing of the German hatred of Britain is indicated in othcr w-ays. The Geftnans created a very favourable impression by their spontaneous gesture of friendship in lending their diving apparatus-for the purpose of locating a sunken British submarine, and German divers are performing- courageous feats in their endeavour to help Britain. A war memorial was recently unveiled in the British section of the cemetery at Cologne, and on his return to Londgp from the ceremony the secretary of the Australian High Comnjissioner paid a tribute to the way in which the Germans have cared for the British graves. Whatever may have been the truth a few years ago, it appears to be clear now that the people of Germany, under the regime of the Republic, are trying to make amends for the wrong- done in the name of their country. Their new gestures of friendship are welcome, for they offer the best possible guarantee of sincerity in the efforts that are being made to establish security and peace in Europe.—Christchurch Star® THE CREDIT . SYSTEM.

Recently a certain distinguished financial authority gave utterance to a warning concerning- the evils attendant upon buying- on the instalment plan. There is no doubt his contention is warranted by facts, as the method of buying in question is a costly one and tends to encourage extravagance. An evil as great, however, exists in the credit system, which appears to have secured a tlg-ht g-rip of the people of all classes, a grip to loosen which practically no attempt is made either by purchasers or sellers'. Occasionally some individual who has acquired goods, to pay for which he liad no reasonable prospect, gets hauled up with a round turn, but outside the creditors nobody pays any. heed, and the same old g-ame goes on from day to day, with debts accumulating, and traders becoming grey headed while their locks should still be auburn or raven. The remedy for this evil is in the hands of the traders themselves, hut competition is nowadays so keen that taking risks in business has become one of the chief characteristics of business, and the consequences are to be seen every day. We were shown a letter the other day from an Opotik: gentleman now residing at Seattle, and in it the writer made mention erf the fact that under 5 the system of trade there is was practically impossible for a “ bad mark” to obtain credit. In this country, however, “ bad marks ” have a fine field of operations, and they take full advantage of it. Pei haps we will get sense some day—per naps.—Opotiki Herald.