CURRENT TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1915, Page 4

CURRENT TOPICS.

FAITH IN* TIIIC RUSSIANS. Daring the present movement of the enemy in Calicia in tin- period "'iwii Itu.-siau stratify mill developments are pending, it is impossible to disCllss the prospects., and the lack of details' makes it dillicult itn secure a perspective of the operations which are moving rapidly on ail extremely large scale (wrote a correspondent of a London newspaper from Warsaw oil May I"2). During the-e operations, and possibly others of a similar desperate character, the Allies must be vontent to wait, 'patiently for the ultimate results, placing in Russia, and the Kussian armies the same faith that

Russians .plane in Creat ißritain ami France during periods of uncertainty. It must ever be realised that oil all .such previous occasions Russia, lias not only weathered these hurricanes, but lias gradually digested the German aggressive*, which 'have subsequently faded into history as having failed in their object. During these tribes, with a flood of rumors coming from all quarters, it must be borne in mind .that Russia has so far never failed to recover from tierman advances which, at their inception, heralded an immense victory. 'During the .chaos one's conviction of an ultimate favorable outcome must rest upon Russia's proven courage, stubbornness and determination, wliich increase each month. ''Regarding the situation as a whole," stated the correspondent, "without endeavoring to discuss -eMails or reasons which at this time it is -impossible to telegraph, I fi.in able to state that T have talked with high authorities on this front, and, in spite of innumerable. adverse reports circulating everywhere, optimism and confidence are expressed as to the result of the present movements."

EXPLOITING OCR SOLDIERS. A correspondent of a northern newspaper raises a point of business in canvp management which seen® worthy of the attention of the .Defence Department's head. His son has ltccn undergoing his training in Trentham camp, and he states that there is very considerable dissatisfaction amongst soldiers at the prices charged for articles retailed in the caniij) canteen. He quotes l>v way of example these prices:—One. shilling for ft small tin of boot polish, usually sold at sixpence; three shillings for a small leather purse usually sold in city .shops ami country stores for sixpence or a shilling, 8s (id for a ipair of cheap spurs and ill the barter's shop a shilling for a hair-cut. Excessive charges, it -is complained, are made for practically all goods supplied to recruits. This .certainly is not the square deal to our young soldiers. Their pay is much less, as a rule, than their wages in civil life, and yet they are Charged famine prices for their little accessaries. Neither the Defence Department nor private firms should he permitted to exploit the soldier, and the Government should see to it that cSinteen prices do not exceed those current in the city shops.