IF GERMANY IS TO GET PLENTY OF IRON ORE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 167, 20 April 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

IF GERMANY IS TO GET PLENTY OF IRON ORE.

The Government's announcement that henceforth certain imports -.vill be cut off, need not disturb our equanimity, says the " London Daily News." If we are' compelled to economise in paper we shall face the economy with a light heart. We shall write fewer letters than heretofore; we shall, perchance, save the patient printer some trouble. We shall fine, a mild compensation m getting rid of the clumsy envelope and reviving the picturesque waf?r, a symbol of the care and confidence of our grandfathers. We shall not grumble if we go short of tobacco or if the supple ol foreign fruit grows less month by month. We shall face thesj deprivations without lepming. The spirit of sacrifice is very active in the country. And vet the country will ask, anc. has a right to ask, whether in denying itself it is not merely helping the enemy to procure all those tilings which it nee Is for the waging of the war. Our omnipotent Fleet give-; us the command of all the shipping of the world, and it is a significant fact that at the very moment when we are cutting off our own imports we permit rnanv kinds of merchandise, including metals, to find tlieir way through neutral countries into Germany. There are not ships enough to bring wood-pulp and paper, raw tobacco and fruits, furniture .woods and veneers to Enjilmc-

There are ships enough to carry iron to our enemies. Between August 191-1 and January 1916, we are told by Lord Devonport, a witness of scrupulous truth, tfiat 29$ ships carrying 1.414,311 tons ol metal ere entered Rotterdam. The destination of this metal ore is not doubtful, and when we add to it the cccoa and tea. the flour and maize, the handsome sides of bacon, which we know, neutral ships are carrying to Copenhagen and Rotterdam for the markets of Germany, we have a right t > ask whether, indeed, we are not denying ourselves in order to help the Powers who have taken ut) arms against us. be as easy and profitable to earrv wood-pulp to England as to larrv metal ore to Germany, and it there be an added profit in smuggling, our Fleet is strong enough to persuade all neutrals that in the end ft will pay Mter morallv am. in their pockets to ship what England wants to English ports than to send the necessary materials of war through Holland and Denmark to our enemies. We are prepared to suffer whatever loss i< imposed upon us. If it be really to go without imported luxuries we will go without them. But wo do not like to think that in depriving ourselves of these things we are doing so merely in order to leave ships free to carry iron ore to our foes.