The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1916 THE NEW BRITISH CABINET.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 13 December 1916, Page 4

The Taihape Daily Times. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1916 THE NEW BRITISH CABINET.

(With which is incorporated The Tailiapo Post and Waimarino News).

A desirable reorganisation of the British National Cabinet has been effected most satisfactorily, and with much less friction than was anticipated. The war was not being prosecuted with the determination that ttie more active and energetic members deemed'it should be, and ihese men simply took a firm stand in bringing about readjustments that would meet their views of what was absolutely necessary for the Empire to emerge victors from the war. With what information has been made public we cannot say anything about what either the Army or Navy should have done; whether they have been used rightly or wrongly in the Empire's best interests, but it has appeared to most people, after learning what Britain's enemies were" dcing in the way of mobilising their own men, women and children, taking possession of everything i u their respective countries needful for a vigorous prosecution of hostilities, that the British Cabinet, either thought they could w:n the war without going to such extremes, or its members, with over two years of the most strenuous mental labour, were growing tired and allowing fatal delays to interfere with operations in the field, and in the commandeering or nationalising of those resources at home that were essential to provide adequate munitions to secure a distinct predominance over our enemies, and also to provide for the personal needs of war workers, militant and civil > and tlieir The Empire and its allies can quite afford to waive aside any political ele ment that has been introduced, as negligible in the circumstances. There are a few men who would risk the Empire for their own political aggrandisement, but with such the British people have now no concern. Loyar Britons, whether they be lords or labourers, have but the one object in view of winning the war, and from what can be learned at this distance they bave given their whole support 'to the men who have figured as the mest resourceful, energetic, determined and strenuous workers in meeting the unprecedented demands that this war has ever made upon any nation. It is really doubtful whether any whole-souled patriot will raise one se-

rious objection to either of the men

in the Lloyd George War Council. They are all men who may be relied upon to put the BVitish Empire before self in every respect, even to the sacrificing of their own property, and, if needs be their friends, in the salvation of all that is British. The time and the circumstances made the rule of such men an absolute necessity; England has been slow to realise this, but the progress of events has impressed it deeply and the step has been taken. Very much of what Englishmen have ever regarded as the liberty of the subject will be turned

topsy-turvy, but that is now essential to avoid losing that liberty altogether. It is stated (probably conjecture, but still very near the mark) that the new war policy will impose immediate sacrifices on the people, including further regulation for the control of food and drink, the curtailment of luxuries, possible raising of the military age or partial mobilisation of the civil population for war work, and the releasing for service younger men now exempted. Individual wealth earning in the Empire's dire stress is to cease until the danger has passed. The seekers after riches have commenced to realise that they may be merely injuring the Empire's chances of winning the war in piling up fortunes that will be taken possession of by Germany and for the rehabilitation of German trade and the establishment of a German hegemony over Europe, if for nothing worse even. British industries, mines and railways are to be nationalised and used for national purposes first. What strikes us most forcibly is the predominant need for money by the Central Powers. If Germany wins the war through British indifference, what steps will she take to acquire the money to set her social and political machinery going again? A question of this kind brings the war very near to New Zealand, for Germany will go for money where it is to be found; to every corner of the possessions of her conquer-

ed foes, and New Zealand will not be any unconsidered trifle. It will be well to think seriously about the extremity, and the exigencies that made a reorganisation of the British War Council necessary, for they may affect us much more than we are at present willing to admit. Until alter to-mor-row, when Parliament will meet the new Government, no reliable details can be available. It is clear, however, that the Premier, Mr. Lloyd George, will devote his entire energies to war work, as it has already been announced, that Mr. Bonar Law is to : be Chancellor of the Exchequer, auu i Leader of me Louse or Commons, in this Mr. Lloyd George is putting into practice his opinions which constituted the great ditterence between himself and Mr. Asquitii. he contended thai it was quite impossible tor the Leader of the House of Commons to be «. useful and effective Chairman of the War Council, and he has therefore handed the leadership of Parliament to Mr. Bonar Law while he gi\ es liij attention solely to War Council duties. the man who could, in peace times, bring about the abolition of the veto of the House of Lords, is the man i.oday in whom the whole nation, down to the poorest worker, may place implicit confidence.

The Rev. Father Connolly, of Taihape, has received notice of his appointment to the position of Chaplain on the hospital ship Mahcno, and is expected to leave Taihapc on Wednesday, December 20

Trooper K. A. Bayne, who met his death in trying to save the life of a child off Pitcairn Island on the recent voyage of the Ruahine, prior to enlisting, lived with his parents at Raketapauma, in the Rangiwaea Block. He was a very popular young fellow, and was liked and respected by all wnu knew him.

During Saturday and Sunday four soldiers died in the military hospitals —two at Featherston and two at Trentham. In the latter Private F. Stephenson, of Dunsandel, died from cerebro-spinal meningitis, and Private F. J. Moss, of Marten Junction, from mcningcoccal septicaemia. In the Featherston military hospital Private N. H. Marshall, of Moufere, died from pneumonia, and L-Oorpotal J. Dodd, of Timaru, also from pneumonia.

New Zealand 's extraordinarily generous support of nil effort in aid of Imperial interests does sometimes receive some of the credit due it, states (lie London correspondent o]' the Lyttelton Times, as witness the following, which appeared in the Financial News of October 14: —"The continued whole-hear-ted sympathy of the people of New Zealand with those in the Old Country who are suffering through the hardships of the war is shown by the fact that out of a total of £111,320 sent from all quarters of the Navy League for relief of distress among the dependents of naval men lost in the North Sea battle, no less than £57,51l 6s Sd or this g nm —7B Der cent—has boon received

sum—7B per cent —has been r from New (Zealand.

A sharp shock of earthquake occur red in Taihape at 12.45 p.m. to-day.

A lost pair of pruning shears, used

for trimming sheep's feet, are adver

tised for.

Field-Marshal Prince Iwao Oyama, who was Commander-in-Chief of tne Manchurian Army in the Russo-Japan war, is dead, aged 74.

For wilfully destroying wreaths in the Auckland cemetery, two men were each sentenced to two months' hard labour by Magistrate Kettle.

The Oamaru Mail states that the Hessian fly, well known in former p*sars in North Otago, has made its appearance in a crop of wheat at Richmond.

American scientists, studying the source cf infection of infantile paralysis, suggest the rat-flea to be the real carrier of the disease.

It is notified by advertisement that the offices of Taihape solicitors will be closed for the Christmas holidays from 4 p.m. on Wednesday, 20th December, till 9 a.m. on 9th January, 1917.

Answering a direct question as to when the second division of the reserve is likely to be called up, the Defence Minister said probably not for another ten months.

The hospital ship Maheno, which is returning from England with a large number of invalid soldiers aboard, is expected to arrive at Auckland about Monday next.

Larrikinism appears to be on (lie increase in Wanganui. On Monday night the premises of Ngan Kee, a Chinese fruiterer at the intersection of Avenue and Guyton street, suffered, several stones being thrown, and a big plate glass window being splintered.

A Capetown private states that he marched to attend the funeral of a badly wounded comrade, but although the clergyman in his eassoek waited beside the grave, and the stretcher and carrier wer e ready, there was no coffin, the man having unexpectedly recovered.

George Wilson, one of the Tarnworth escapees, who is a member o: the I.WiW., at present serving a sentence of six years for having forged bank notes, has been remanded on a charge of murdering George Pappageorgi.

Messrs Collinson and Gifford. in advertisements on* page 1 and 3 give par ticulars of goods suitable for the Christmas and New Year season, at prices, considering their quality, that should command a speedy clearance.

Extract from a letter received in New Plymouth: —"A preacher in the church told us it was now known, through a German Avoman spy, now in prison, that the Germans had decided, in the event of their landing troops in England to kill every male infant they could lav their hands upon."

William L. Hooper was fined £SO (the maximum penalty) and costs at the Dunedin Police Court for fixing upon a postal packet postage stamps which had already been used. The defendant, in cross-examination, admitted that in 1914 he was charged with dealing in official stamps, but was acquitted.

There ar e 25,000 crates of cheese in store at Patea, and considerable difficulty is being experienced to secure shipping space to take the produce away from New Zealand. Ten years ago tin- annual output of cheese was 1750 crates; to-day the figures arc 170, son.

Mr B. P. Lethbridge's fine property at Turakina has been disposed of to Messrs O'Neill Bios., of Kakatihi, who propose utilising the farm for fattening purposes. The price paid is in the vicinity of £(i0,000. Mr. Lethbridge retains the homestead with about ninety acres. In a new advertisement Ixlessrs "VV. .1. White and tSons direct ladies' attention to a new and choice assortment of millinery ami ladies' wear as being specially suitable as Christmas and New Year gifts. The prices of a few lines arc given in Messrs White's advertisement on page 7, but to fully appreciate the goods a visit to the establishment is necessary.

A gentleman not unknown in teach ing circles in Christchurch, recently be

came the proud possessor of a motorcycle. His first ride, though no disaster happened, is said to have been rot without interest to the spectators. lie got the machine nicely running and then forgot how to stop it, and was obliged to career round and round Hagley Pail; until the petrol was exhausted.

An entertainment, organised by the Convent School, Taihapo, will be held in the Town Hall on Friday. December

15. A programme of quite exceptional merit lias been in course of preparation for some time, and those attending will have the pleasure of listening to a vocal and instrumental (rea J . besides thp satisfaction of contributing towards fund s to provide comforts for our soldiers, a s half ill', proceed* are TO be devoted to that, object. The Taibs.pc orchestra has kindly offered its services during the evening.