The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1915. IF GERMANY WON.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 30, 5 June 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1915. IF GERMANY WON.

Apart from general Empire questions New Zealand has, the Mercantile Gazette points out, special interests in the issue of the war, and that her future is being decided on the plains

of Belgium and in the struggle at the Dardanelles. Of course it is apparent that whether New Zealand is to he hold in her freedom as a part of the British Empire or become a serf of German military despotism depends upon which side succeeds: hut of that no man with a drop of British blood in his veins lias one single doubt. The Gazette docs not draw a pleasing picture of what would happen if Germany won. Vov instance if we lost the country the farmer and runholder would have his land confiscated ; every person holding town or suburban property would lose it; and every man whose money is invested in stock or mortgage* would find himself destitute. Depicting further misfortunes under such calamity the writer says: "Our public offices would be filled with Germans. Teuton judges would sit in our Courts, and German policemen fill the streets. Every child would be taught the German doctrine that the State is God, the sovereign His prophet, and every official an intermediary. German drill masters would be everywhere, every single and married man up to forty would have to join the army, and there would be no such thing as a trumpery fine for non-at-tendance, but such punishment aoeordig with the German idea of Frightfulncss administered that would make the most rebellious never desire to repeat his omission. Our traders would be compelled to shut up shop in order that German rights might not be interfered with, and those of the British who could not get away would become a paupered and despised race. This is the picture wo may contemplate as possible should we not win the war." Such a picture ought to wake up some of those who are not doing all they may, by personal service or personal sacrifice to help save their country and the civilised world from the most accursed menace thai has ever threatened if.