DETERMINED TO WIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1916, Page 5

DETERMINED TO WIN.

BRITISH PUBLIC'S ATTITUDE* ~ WORK AND BE CHEERFUL, "Tlioy are not downhearted in the Old Land," is the general impression brought back by Hon, F. Flowers, President of the Now South Wales Legislative Council, who arrived at Auckland by tlio Niagara on liW way back from Great Britain, where he ha* spent some months. Mrt Flowers had the honor of nn interview with the King, and also conferred 1 with several members of the Cabinet. Hp was given exceptional opportunities of visiting munition works and other Government establishment? from which the general public is ex» (hided. "When I came through' America," he said to a Star reporter, 'I was continually told that England was gloomy, and the people were despon* dent. Nothing could be more untrue. Everybody is working hanl, and you can never, wherever you go, hear a word of longing for peace. Everyone, old and young, seems to have a fixed deter* roination ,t □ see the war through to the very end. The cities, with it all, are gay places, Thealres and music halls are all open, and but for the darkened streets and the numbers of men in khaki, you would hardly suppose there waß a >"ar on. There was never.any real opposition to compulsory service. Every man of military age who had not volunteered by a certain date was simply en* foiled as if he bad done so, and called up with his group when required. The agi-: tation by a seotioit of married men was apparently duo to a and only lasted a fortnight or so." Mr. Flowers was greatly impressed with the huge development of munition making, and with the evidently marvel* lons organising ability of Mr. Lloyd George, as Minister for Munitions, Tha political disputes which were so freely, described in various journals were really, of no great account, nnd had little in 4 fluenee on the course of evonts. There) was a good deal of criticism from cer* tain quarters, but in general all classes and parties were working together withi one object—to win the war. One thing that struck him forcibly was the way in which the war had shaken most people cut of their grooves and given them an entirely new view/of life. It l|ad led the Government to do things that would never have entered into statesmen'® wildest dreams in times of peace. The Army had become a democratic Institution, and sergeants had become lieu* tenant-colonels in months almost. Tha old vicious system of patronage was losing its grip.' All this, lie felt, would certainly make men in all statet of society turn to Australia artd other new countries when the war was over. Australia and New Zealand were now faml* liar to British people a3 never before. Everybody seemed interested in them; Every Australasian soldier in England was a walking advertisement of the land of bis birth. The fine physique of the men and their keen intelligence seemed 1,3 impress the Home people most. He had not found a single soldier who did not look forward to returning to his native land when the war was over. The attitude of the people generally was an indication of a growing sense of political responsibility. There seemed to be no question that after the end ot the conflict there would be an insistent demand for a free franchise, and tie abolition of the property qualification now required far ihe elector. Much reform was needed in the electoral system, under wliieli a candidate had to spend "£I4OO to £2OOO in erecting polling booths, compiling and cleansing the. roll, and. doing a great deal of other work —quite apart from electioneering—thai; should really, be done by tiic State, f-ucli aspirations as these would undoubtedly lead many to emigrate, and this ten Jency would bo specially strong in men who had becoma inured to the hardships of a soldier's life, and who would feel, in many cases, a dislike to taking up work at a desk when their military career closed. Regarding his interview with the King and his Ministers, Mr. Flowers was not 'rce (o speak. He stated, however, that Bis .Majesty seemed genuinely interested in Australia about which he had very full knowledge.