WAITING FOR PEACE.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 May 1919, Page 4

WAITING FOR PEACE.

Official announcements about the completion of the Peace Treaty, and about the tim e of its distribution throughout the Allied world are no more reliable than were official reports of the signing of the various armistices with Bulgaria, Turkey, Austria, and, finally, Germany; but it now seems fairly certain that a commencement has boon ;made with the Peace Treaty promulgation, as it is to be placed in German hands to-morrow. To prevent Germany having an opportunity to circulate a false construction, the Peace Conference deemed it advisable that the document should be distributed in all countries not later than if is handed to Germany, lienee the Peace Treaty should bo available for publication in Now Zealand, not later than Saturday. There is the usual amount of guessing by newspaper correspondents about how soon the Germans will sign it, or, even, whether they will sign it at all. We may, however, regard the question with utmost equanimity, as Germans are not as devoid of intelligence as they apparently arc of honour. Discussions are evidently proceeding about which the “yellow” correspondents know little or nothing about. A few days ago we were reliably informed by cable that the Allies were loaning some millions of money to Germany to enable a firm start being made upon reconstruction of German society and industry. The scattered widely-differ-ing elements of German population need food and employment to rid their minds of anarchic ideas and tendencies, and the Alilics are to furnish the necessary wherewithal. This granting of largo loans to the enemy cannot be made to synchronise with German refusal to sign the Peace Treaty, that will be presented for their signature to-morrow. We may, therefore, safely conclude that it will be signed, and that, in consequence, wo shall be invited to observe. Peace Celebrations at an early date, perhaps much earlier titan we expect. This should remind all those who can well offord to contribute a little to the celebration of so great an event in Taihapc to do so without delay. Poor people can only contribute their mites, therefore men of substance must, bo relied upon to decide the nature of the display of gratitude and enthusiasm this district will make. It is the rich man’s opportunity, an opportunity in which the masses of the people can only join with a display of feeling. For all other display money is requisite, and that money can only bo made available by those who have it. Wc shall be glad indeed to have to chronicle a display in Taihape second to none in New Zealand by towns of a similar size and population.