“JOHN BULL’S REGISTER.”

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 21 February 1917, Page 4

“JOHN BULL’S REGISTER.”

A copy of the initial publication of a new journal, which has come into existence in a most important though rather difficult mission, the advocacy of after-war trade within the Empire, •has reached us from the publishers. The title, “John Bull’s Register,” gives some indication of what its main purpose is, and there are few Britishers indeed that will not wish it utmost success. If this new publication gives any effectual help towards settling this most vexing question it will have earned its place in the sun. It has made a vigorous commencement, vigorous almost to a fault, but it also broadcasts information that every business man, at least, ought to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. The editor says the purpose of “John Bull’s Register” ’ is to provide the purchasing public with reliable information respecting the trade and commerce of the British Empire, more particularly that in which Now Zealand and Australia are most intimately concerned, and also to shed effective publicity on the commercial ramifications of our enemies, in order that the people might the better discriminate in their dealings in the future. Some readers may differ a little with argument, but on the whole the trend is distinctly good, and there is scarcely a man with an atom of business sense that would not be intensely interested with what the new journal has to say about trading with the enemy. The Australian Premier, Hughes, tells t're wdiole story forcefully and pithily, he says: “Germany had prepared and plotted for our destruction. For years she abused our foolishly generous hospitality, under the cloak of naturalisation she has hidden the dagger of espionage, and she has insidiously wormed her way into the citadels of our commerce and industry. A few more years of peaceful penetration and the British Empire would have been commercially, industrially and financially helpless in her grip. It was only her insatiable ambition that saved us by urging her to throw 7 off the mask and strike the blow too soon. Now she has shown her true colours we would be insane to forget the lesson learned. Let us resolutely determine that 'Germany shall never again fatten on our pastures. LeF her go where she will, trade with any, spy upon whom she pleases, but upon us, never again!” This is what “John Bull’s Register” is out to advo'cato, and we wish it complete success.