The Taihape Daily TimeS. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1917. WHAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED?

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 1 September 1917, Page 4

The Taihape Daily TimeS. AND WAIMARINO ADVOCATE

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1917. WHAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED?

(With which is incorporated The Taihape Post and Waimnrino News).

This country is in the midst of an experience which all may devoutly pray will never recur again. We shall not realise how near wc are, or have been, to losing all we have, and even our very country, until the inner history of the war is written. That the Kaiser and his desperados had the intention of seizing possession of Australasia in the early stages of victory is clearly demonstrated in the preparations made in the Pacific for the necessary jumping off places. To stem this tide of Hun invasion, so deliberately planned and so scientifically and brutally, carried out, has called into action the whole of resources of the British Empire, as well as of those countries that are fighting for the very right to live alongside her. Britain has given her last man, has thrown in her vast wealth and is now exhausting her resources in borrowing all the money that is available. Britain has, up to last year, financed that action in the War that New Zealand, as a part of the Empire, is taking. Last year the unmistakable signs went up that this Dominion would henceforth have to finance its own part in the war, whether it was for one year or ten years, and our people in a wonderful spirit of self-reliance lent to the Government considerably more than the eight millions of money, that were asked for. This has enabled the conflict to be carried to that stage in which military experts of the world proclaim in chorus that Germany is beaten. It is everywhere admitted that Germany has passed the zenith •of her power; we'know what has had to be encountered up to that point, but we cannot know how long the German people will, or can, be compelled into being driven like sheep to slaughter in an endeavour to keep up the Hohenzollern hope. The war may end this winter or it may go on for another year, evidence of this is plentiful and apparent in the elaborate, huge and comprehensive preparations that the United States are making. This week a portion of their citizen army embarked at New York for some battlefield in Europe, and we are told

that the tears and cheers came freely from two and a half millions of American people that had gathered to say good-bye to them. America has just begun to send the fl'ower of her young citizens. In this Dominion we have almost reached a stage of tearless eyes; we have sent almost tnc last young man fit for military service to save our Empire from disaster and destruction. We are very near the day when our husbands and fathers will have to be drawn upon. The thought is too fearful, too appalling, almost, to contemplate, and yet it is quite true. Our young men are in the swirling vortex of war in a foreign land, and in ■only another short month or two at tha most we shall be called upon to cast in our husbands and fathers. It is well; it is helpful and profitable for us to sometimes reflect upon the awful pass to which we have come; it spurs on every sentiment, and manly determination in us to throw everything we possess into the fight that will tend to shorten its duration by laying the great beast with which we have been forced to contend. Much yet remains to be accomplished. It is difficult to get any very definite information respecting the internal state of the enemy countries, but if any reliance can be placed on Mr. Massey's information, that the end of the war is much nearer -than many people suspect, then it behoves us to redouble our efforts to bring that end nearer still We have exhausted our young men; we have called upon the British purse to enable us to pay our way until there is not a jingle in it, ai\d we are at last fully thrown on our own resources for money wherewith to pay our war bills.

ONLY ONE MORE DAY. Twelve millions of money are wanted by Monday, only another day, to win the war, and to help in laying the horrible Hun so that his beastly claws may never again be bared on our children and Empire. Men and money are the two great weapons with which wars are won. New Zealand has surprised and thrilled-the world with the men she has contributed. This young daughter of Britain is the admiration; the belle of the whole earth at this minute, what will she be on Tuesday morning when the figures go up of the sacrifices she is willing to make in money to maintain the beauty of her freedom? Will her honour and beauty be tarnished by those figures or will they call forth more plaudits, more encomiastic enthusiasm by tlreir further display of admirable and honourable traits in her real character? On Tuesday we shall l be able to truly guage the measure of our real patriotism, our real appreciation of our country and of the glories of the flag under which we live. Will it be divulged that we love the dross in our pockets more than we love the precious blood, and the beauty of the young manhood we have so generously and willingly sacrificed? We cannot conceive it, the very thought even is too repulsive to harbour for a minute. We know our people almost to the last man, woman and child, are patriotic to the last fibre and the last drop of blood, we have no fear or misgiving about that, but will they realise their duty in time? Do they see the need for urgency? Their help with what money they can spare is wanted on Monday, On Tuesday the men at the cables will be flashing something, all over the world, what will it be, honour or anything approaching the opposite? It is only a matter of time; we are going to find thdsc twelve mill/ions and another twelve millions if they arc needed, for the honour of our country let us lend them before Monday night. The money invested is not entirely parted with for there is no better security than Government Bonds. They will at all times be saleable and if the Allies win the war all British securities of the kind are most likely to appreciate. In estimating what we are able to invest we should not forget this aspect of our investment. They will always be good security at our bank should we ever need that institution's assistance; it is not burying our money toinvest in the War Loan. We are doing our bit, ou)r mere duty, in helping to win the war by making a portion of our savings ."just a little less liquid than they were. There is not a New Zcalander that would not hate to find that the compulsory clauses of the "Finance Act" had to be set in motion. Poor people are investing in War Certificates quite beyond anticipations; compulsion is only for those with incomes of seven hundred pounds a year and over. There may perchance be some who claim the seven hundred exemption who will be called before the Appeal Board to make good their claim, but the middle classes are already contributing freely nothing of the kind may happen. From actual cases quoted in Parliament there is the moneyshirker in. our land, but it is hoped such companies and individuals will realise their responsib'ilites and save us from the charge of begrudging our money after sacrificing our men. Money is wanted to win, the war; there is yet time for us to help with what- we can; Monday is the last day. If any of us

must be away on Monday let us knock the Postmaster up on Sunday, but, anyhow, let us do our bit.