HALCOMBE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9103, 24 March 1908, Page 5

HALCOMBE.

From Our Own Correspondent,

Mrs ;,W. Williams has been removed to the Palmerston Hospital where she will receive constant expert attention and where we hojoe the broken limb will soon be mended and made as good as ever. A few days ago Mr L. Schmidt left Halcombe for a visit to the Old Country and the Fatherland. Mr, Mrs and Bliss Pleasants, of Barnside, also leave in a few days by the Arawa, and . Blr and Blrs J. Cornfoot and little (daughter start on an extended tour in a few weeks. To all we wish a real good time and a safe return to this the best of all lands.

Since my last the domestic tanks nave been filled to overflowing. The dams and creeks, however, are at low level still, the dry earth drinking the water before it reaches such storage. The grass has jumped and if the warm days continue for a week or so and Jack Frost forgets to pay an early visit winter feed will be fairly abundant and stock will' have a much better time than was anticipated two months ago. To prepare for the 28th, when the big shoot takas place at Bulls, our riflemen will, if the weather permits, meet for practice at the range on Wednesday next. If the.f.weather is unsuitable the try will take place on the following day. It |is a long time since I heard a rifle jfired, still It would be gratifying" to me to know that the Kaloombe marksmen were able to hold their own against more practised shots. Writing of shooting reminds me of our defenders and our meahs of defence. Though a man of peace and regarding war as the disgrace of nations, I nevertheless, recognise that in our present barbarian state, it is wise to ;bo aye ready and prepared to fight when fight is forced upon us. Hence wo of the Empire must continue to spend vast sums to assure the safety of every part. To shut our eyes and sleep over the position would mean extinction. Some there are who protest against toe cultivation of the military spirit in our youth. I am with them if that spirit is to take precedence ami dominate that which leads to [universal peace. The boys of the “bull dog breed” possess other qualities than those of their canine prototype and when they are taught to fight as persistently and doggedly for the peaceful settlement of national troubles, as their progenitors fought for a fools’ fad, then a more worthy condition of things national will exist. “The British Empire floats upon the Sea. ’ ’ In emphasing that fact W. T. Stead (than whom no one has worked harder or more ably for international peace) says ;— ‘ 1 The command of the sea is the condition of our existence as an independent State. The maintenance of an irresistible superiority at sea is the sine qua non of our national life, and this impoverishing “race of expenditure” that is now going on—we must maintain our two-Power supremacy—for every Dreadnought Germany builds England must build two. Germany’s last year’s naval estimate of expenditure was 13.9 millions and England’s 32 millions. For 1909 Germany 20.3 millions, England’s ? well at least 60 millions, and so probably this imbecile game will gc on and where will it end? I (think in the air or in the impoverishment of competing nations. Airships at £IO,OOO each may have a say in the settlement of the Dreadnoughts at £2,000,000 a, piece. As a citizen of the world the position is humiliating. To me as an Englishman it makes me sad to think that this drain and strain upon England’s resources compels her to neglect her aged poor and starving children. Oh, it is pitiful, but what is to be done? In the first place I would bind over all newspapers and magazine writers to keep the peace between nations and not write and publish inflammatory stuff for the thoughtless and regard it as prime copy. I have to acknowledge with thanks a packet of 1000 stamps from Katie McElroy for the Halcombe invalid.