WEALTH AND THE WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 101, 29 April 1916, Page 2

WEALTH AND THE WAR.

"If the 'conscription of capital' is nt'cessary to win the wan, then let us have it,'' says the London Times.

J "We do snot know what it means, tbut it is a catchword much in use by .Socialists. Their objection to compulsory service would apparently disappear, in spite of t-!ie fundamental and vital principles on which we are to'd 't is based, if it is accompanied by the conscription of capital. "No more notice has been taken or this expression than of the other familiar catchwords of the same people so long as it was confined to Socialist papers. But, now that it has been [adopted by such an important body as the Eailwaymen's Union, and -hurled at the Government, the opportunity might be taken to get a little closer to. it and ask what it means. The Eailwaymen's Union calls it the confiscation of wealth of every description. Presumably some inventory would be needed. Before you can conscribe you must inse.v.be. Who is ,todo it and how '!>ng would it take? "Several years and several milions have been spent on inscribing the value of t.'ie land, and it is not finis'iecT vet. How long would it take to value houses and their contents, factories, machinery, and so forth? There are, however, cereain forms of wealth which might be ascertained and seized with comparative celerity. These are funds and money assets.

"They incMde among other finu 1 - belonging to trade unions, co-operative societies, and insurance societies, savings hanks deposits, and the like. These are all capital or wealth, and as there is no distinction of classes under the Military Service Bill there could, of course, be no distinction under the Conscription of Wealth Bill. Perhaps its advocates will think this over and draft their proposals. Then it will lie possible to judge "6f them. Meantime, let us get on with the war." THE ORGY AT VILNA. SOME DISGRACEFUL SCENES. The Bourse Gazette, of Petrograd, gives an interesting account of a serious mutiny of German troops at the village of Zhirnmnd, in the province of Vilna, where portions of the Twelfth German Army are stationed in reserve for a period of rest and recruitment. The German commander at Zhirmund, a cavalry officer named Von Raabe, was killed. The affair arose out of a debauch in which a number of German officers were indulging', according, it is alleged, to their regular habit during periods of withdrawal to the roan. Socalled "dance-evenings," in which women regularly took part, were held by the officers in the local chure-h, the regimental band playing while scenes of riot and orgy wire in progress. The commandant, who had been specially appointed to check these disgraceful scenes, arrived with a. guard, and was insulted by. some drunken officers. Fighting folilowed, and the disorder spread. No fewer, than 40 officers have I been conrt-martialled, and a number of men have already been shot.