WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taihape Daily Times, 20 December 1917, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE ESCAPED GERMANS

A REGRETTABLE INCIDENT,

(Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Dec 13

The escape of the German prisoners from Motuihi Island remains the chief topic of animated conversation and indignant cridicism everywhere. What the Prime Minister has described as the most regrettable incident since the outbreak of war seems likely to have far-reaching results. The whole of the administration of the Defence Department may be brought under review and officials in high places may be involved in the investigation. The disclosures made at the opening of the inquiry in Auckland yesterday are not yet subject for discussion, but they are being supplemented by the reiteration of many disquieting stories ihat have been current for months past. Sir James Allen, no less than Mr Massey, is regarding the incident with grave concern and there need be no fear of any of the facts connected with the deplorable affair being withheld from the public. THE ANTI-GERMANS

Naturally the people who have been agitating during the last two or three years for the adoption o'f more drastic measures against Germans' settled in this country, whether naturalised or not, see in tjiis latest development a realisation of their apprehensions. They contend that it would have been impossible for the prisoners to get away without active assistance from outside and they even indicate the quarters from which the assistance came. Of course much talk of this kind is mere exaggeration and speculation and in the circumstances not very wise or generous, but the growth of the Anti-German feeling during the last day or two is unmistakable and some of it 'unreasonable. The Prime Minister's hope that "the affair will be a lesson to the people," •however, gives the countenance of authority to .a tolerably frank expression of opinion and is loosening many willing tongues. «■

THE SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Though the Executive of the Sec ond Division League is bowing to the inevitable in accepting with a good grace the conditions ,of service imposed upon married men, it has by no means relaxed its efforts on behalf of the section of the community ft represents. -At its meeting last night it strongly protested against a number of unmarried men, members of ihe First Division qualified for service, being retained in the country in positions that could be at least equally well filled by married men or by returned soldiers. Several striking cases of this kind have lately been brought under public notice, one having to do with the staffing of a Minister's office, and there is a disposition even outside the ranks of the League to question the policy of the Government and the administration of the Military Service Board in this respect. It is alleged that the simplest routine work is being magnified into essential service.

LAB'OTJR UNREST. At last night's meeting of the Empire Service League, which among other aspirations aims at the establishment of better relations between Capital and Labour, a good deal of sound common-sense was talked by the members. A committee of the League had gone boldly to the" extremists among the working men with an admission that there were faults on the side of Capital and had come away with an admission from the other side that Labour was not free from blame. Starting on this rudimentary basis of agreement the League is now seeking a conference with the workers with a viw to "going into matters and defining .a platform and education," and if the present good feeling between the parties is maintained this movement may go far towards hastening the arrival of the better understanding between Capital and Labour that is promised by the optimists and the prophets as one of the good fruits of the war.