WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 129, 1 June 1916, Page 4

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.

— <» While considering the New Zealand I Military Service Bill it as well that I we should allow Mr. Lloyd George to 1 remind us of what might have been, or what may be even yet. What would befal the Old Goimtry would befal us in New Zealand, if not in a more extreme measure and form, and it is of vital import that our distance from ♦•he present actual fighting should not encourage us to fear to look the facts straight in. the face. 'As Mr. Lloyd George plainly indicates, no part of the world would escape, no matter in what seas, or how remote. He says: •hf the military in Germany should win we should see a Germany ef triumphant warriors, seeking whom .they coulfi devour, looking out for fresh spheres—or shall 1 say fresh hemi-spheres —to conquer. If we overthrow German militarism now it is be cause our command of the sea has given us time to organize, and so make good our unpreparedness. You have only to imagine what would have happened if comman dof the sea had not been curs, or if it had been wrested from us. . We could have been overrun as easily as the Balkan Peninsula. Within three months —three months, mind—of the declaration of war, London would have fallen as quickly as Belgrade. France would have made a gallant resistance; so would Russia; but the armies on the northeastern frontier of France could have been turned by descents on her south and west coasts. If Germanv were to win this war Europe would be helpless. Let us never forget that indisputable fact. Russia and France would not be permitted to build up great armies to defend their frontiers; and, of course, the command of the sea would be taken from Great Britain. I cannet heln wenderino- if the Monroe Doctrine -would fare better than the British Fleet.”