The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1915. HATTERS WORTHY OF NOTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 252, 3 April 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1915. HATTERS WORTHY OF NOTE.

When the Commanders-in-Chief of the British and French Armies begin to receive interviewers, and to talk for publication, says the Dunedin Star, it is justifiable to assume that a definite change for the better has begun for the western land campaign. Neither General French nor Genera] Joffre is the type, of man to chat casually with some chance interviewer. The meetings must have been prearranged, and the Censor, we imagine, would hardly permit n deliberately faked message to be sent broadcast throughout the Empire. Eacu »f these famous men speaks, as was to be expected, in tones of quiet confidence qualified by timely warning. The harm attaching to the publication of interviews of this nature is obvious. That large class of foolish people who are not the least among the burdens of the Empire has to carry are too apt to seize upon messages such as these for an excuse for ceasing from further active participation in the conduct of the war. Hence, in all probability, the chariness of the authorities either in 'permitting them or in making their sentiments known. Sir John French has had to already explain what he meant when lie said he did not believe in a "protracted war." Words such as these are eagerly seized upon by those who are only tf.-pt at their posts, such as they arc, by fear of consequences. Were it possible to believe that the utterances of Lord Kitchener, Sir John French, and others, however cheering, would not stay our hands for a single moment ill pushing forward towards the desired goal, we should have many more of then;. Unfortunately, experience lias sliown that the public are more than likely to regard them as an excuse for ceasing from persistent effort rather than an incentive to yet more vigorous endeavor. The accompanying qualification is forgotten or unheeded; all that is remembered is that "Sir John French says that it will not be. a protracted war," and straight away people begin to fling their caps into the air. What our Com-mander-in-Chief probably said was that the war would not lie a protracted one if he had anrplc supplies of men and ammunition. We have yet to learn that his conditions will be fulfilled. It would almost seem that they will not. There are, it is said, 2000 wort--men at Birkenhead who are not disposed to risk their health or to sacrifice their week-end leisure in order to fulfil them, and so assist in saving the Empire and the world from the curse of a protracted war. Lord Milner, who in former days was one of Mr Churchill's "prancing pro-consuls," speaks wisely and well when he urges that the Oversea Dominions should in spirit, if not formally, be parties to all serious ■peace negotiations. We have from the first assumed that they will be so consulted, and there has 1 been no authoritafive statement to the contrary. Nor, after tlie distinct expressions of opinion from Sir L. Borden and Mr Fislicr, could there well be. We believe that the intention ha* been and still is to consult the Dominions. The Times, however, writing, we may believe, with a full sense or the possibilities implied by the present military and naval situation, thinks it is not improbable that peace terms may have to be considered this year, and therefore, if no Imperial Conference is called, without preliminary verbal consultation with the colonies. This, s-iv* The Times, would be to take a grave risk. Tt is, in fact, so grave; that we cannot think the Imperial Government are likely In take it. The deciding fact.,against a peace conference this year was not that it was inopportune, no peace settlement would lie agreed upon until after the wishes of the Overseas Dominions were known. Of Dr I.yttelton, the headmaster of Eton, a man

who has so often spoken and written tilings, that nre most admirable, it is hard! to say why he should have gone I ont of' his way at to tell his countrymen not to humiliate Germany. He ■ ifad the had preceded set by the Arclfbishop of York to serve as a warning'.-. Some months since-Dr Lang spoke I in-much the same fool is a' way. Tie had | hvtd" the honor of mei ting the Kaiser | personally, he said, and'lie did not think jtife Kaiser could be hr-W responsible for jor that he approved, what was going on< lilt his name. The Avehbishop, further, ;llad the temerity to hint disapproval of itliose splendid cartoons in Londbn ; Punch. We rather ifhink that Dr tang iby the time Punch had answered back, and the Chief Secretary for Ireland' (Mr Birrell) had quietly said that a time oi war was not the- most opportune time wherein to indulge in eulogies of the leader of the nation that is attacking the very existence of England; to say nothing of the- German aerial baby-kill-ing raid in his- own diocese, that followed soon after, was, in spite of his defiant retorfa-, sorry he hod spofcen. Therefore there is no excuse for Dr. Lyttelton. The Allies do not intend to " humiliate " Germany, and are not animated by the villainous spirit of hatred of England now rampant in Germany. But they do intend to smash German, or Prussian, militarism, as well as to punish the authors of those infamous crimes against the peoples of Belgium, Northern France, Poland and Serbia It is but charitable to conclude that the headmaster of Eton has forgotten these. If so, that is his misfortune.

SEASIDE lIOIjIDAY ATTRACTIONS.

No movement which has taken place in New Plymouth ,is more worthy of tlie highest commendation than that undertaken by the various committees whan are bent on making our foreshore n source of pleasure and recreation for Unpeople of Taranaki. It is not only a sign of that awakening of public spirit which is so essential to the welfare an.l progress of any town, but it is a practical recognition of the immense value of this splendid asset which the town possesses. From the mouth of the Waiwakaiho river to the Breakwater is a stretch of foreshore that can be made to rival any sea beach in the Domin'on, and thers is n'o doubt that in course of time the whole of this sea front'will be made an attractive resort that will pi" -e most rdvantagcous to townspeople and conin/y visitors. The splendid work that lias been done by the East End committee, and their faith in its popularity, has been thoroughly justified. The West Knd Foreshore Society is also to be congratulated on having made «i; excellent start on the western side ol the foreshore, and they have enteral into their improvement work heart and soul, with the result that they also can make a confident bid for popular favor, especially as the swimming hatha fU',; in their district, and there are some charming walks among the polmtukawas. How well both those committees can cater kr the public can be gauged by the very varied and attractive programmes wbicll are advertised for Easter Monday. TliciV. are a considerable number of holiday folk who greatly appreciate bavin.;, 1 a choice of entertainments, and not a few who are glad of the chance of wandering from one series of entertainments to another. Having two such draws on the beach in one day will do much to enhance the credit of the town, and the public should not be slow to appreciate the enterprise of both committees. Given fine weather there should be a great iwilux of visitors to our foreshore, and everyone should have a most enjoyable time. Whilst on the subject of New Plymouth's attractions, it may not be out of place to remark that the municipal swimming "bath- on the Kaw.iroa Park foreshore has not in the past been made the most of, and there is a feeling that it should be run for all it is worth. Possibly if the baths conunlUce was enlarged so as to take representatives of the Kawaroa Park committee new life could be infused into this asset. The suggestion is one that the Borough Council might well consider. It these days it is necessary to make flu. best use of all our resources, and It is gratifying to know that this policy is now in a fair way to fruition.