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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 328, 2 March 1910, Page 5

UNKNOWN

Autocratic though her form of Government, Germany, of all the countrbs of the Old World, j s furthest in advance in lici- ideas about the paternal State. Britain shudders at the idea of Stateowue.l railways, and State sickness insu in nee; Germany lia.s both. Britain is adopting oil fuel in her warships. \ cable last week slated that oil shares were booming in consequence, and it is safe lo prophesy that, before long, oil prices will boom too. Whether Britain s worship of capitalism will compel lier to submit to the extortions of the oil sellers, or whether slie will miy herself an oil lieM or two—Borneo. .1 British possession, lias extensive oil deposits—remains to lie seen. Germany, iiowever. isn't goi.ig to wait, and perhaps nu/ve when it ; S too late. Siio b:s already enough experience of oil sellers extortions to be disgusted wtctt them, and has sent experts to America, to try and find an independent supply, and the probabilities are, with her tendency towards autocratic Socialism, -i;e will buy herself a few oil wells, and establish State oil depots. It seems stupid for a country requiring fuel for ships, railways, or anything else, to remain at the mercy of private enterprve in preference To nationalising the supply. But Germany is too business-! ; ke to commit such foolishness for long.