SOOTHING SYRUP

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 21 June 1917, Page 2

SOOTHING SYRUP

DR. HELFFERICH CHEERS HIS COUNTRYMEN . 'BEAT THE ENEMY'; 'HOLD ON.' According to a Berlin telegram, says a Reuter message from Amsterdam, Dr Helffcrich, Secretary of State for the Interior, speaking in the Reichstag, said: — "Every man and women has had to fulfil to the utmost the duty which the fateful hour demanded from us without any sentimental consideration either for our enemies or for ourselves. "Victory must be gained at home as well as on the battle. With our eyes open we must make the unavoidable sacrifices. The collapse of a number of minor industries owing to the war has lost us valuable economic assets. "With a view to the second reconstruction of our economic fabric measures have been taken for the transition period after the war regarding the production and distribution of raw materials. Fortunately our fears regarding the possible effects of the restricted supply of foodstuffs and of the severe burden placed on labour were unfounded. Moreover, the reports of the Imperial Health Board show that the general state of health has been surprisingly good. The death rate among children has further decreased, while infant mortality is lower than in peace time. THE MAIN THING. "People deserve admiration for their patriotism in enduring the last ' hard weeks in the way they have done. (Applause.) The words 'Hold on' become a reality. I am firmly convinced that we shall 'hold on' still further.

"The main thing is to produce from the soil everything possible for human food. The statements by Mr. Lloyd George and the President of the British Board of Agriculture that the plough is their hope and that the struggle must, be fought out in the fields of England prove the importance which Great Britian attaches to the submarine war and the cares which beset our bitterest enemy. His means of importation are small and will be further restricted by our submarines. "In this way the ,corn stocks of Great Britain will be still further diminished. The bad international harvest is not accidental; the next world's harvest will also be bad owing to the scarcity of saltpetre. "Germany has the lowest grain prices of the world ana this is due to our firmly fixed policy since the beginning of the war. BLAMING BRITAIN. "Industries have fulfilled a$ expectations Railways have worked splendidly and the War Boards have proved themselves equal to their tasks. "In the course of the debate the criticism has been made that we did not start economic mobilisation in time, but none of you could have conceived the possibility either of such a radical overthrow of international laws by Great .Britain and her reckless measures against neutrals, or of such power of resistance on the part of Germany, Our economic mobilisation was social, political, economic policy.

BEAT THE ENEMY. "As regards the rebuilding of our mercantile fleet, negotiations are proceeding with the shipowners. In spite of the Paris Conference we shall renew economic relations with foreign countries after the war. "The war cry for the troops is 'Beat the enemy,' and for us, 'Hold on.' This shall be the token of victory.' '