DEADLY "EFFICIENCY."

Taihape Daily Times, 25 January 1918, Page 6

DEADLY "EFFICIENCY."

There are still New Zealanders who answer attacks on the unjust and grossly autocratic methods of the German Government and the very nature of that remarkable machine of despotism, by saying, "That may be so, but think how well it cares for the German people. Consider how efficient it is."

The tree is known by its fruits, now as in ancient times. The proof of all human. institutions is still the results they bring. How does the German Government stand that test?

In time of peace the death rate in Germany was always higher than it was in this country or in the British Isles. What was the cause; less physical vigour, harder conditions of existence, worse government, or a greater inclination toward follies in living? There were about 550,000 criminals convicted "annually in the German Empire, before the war. That meant nearly 120 for every 10,000 of the population.

Germany had a larger proportion of illegitimate children, more Mbies born out of wedlock relatively to the whole number, than France,' Great Britain or the United States. Was that the fault of the government in Germany or did it mean that the Germans were a loose and licentious people? xind German confidence in German governmental efficiency made the world war possible. It brought that immense disaster upon the German people. In the war's vast welter of ruin it is smothering the fruits of many years and decades of showy and superficially wise administration.