THE GENERAL SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1917, Page 7

THE GENERAL SITUATION.

A GENERAL REVIEW. BY SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE. Following is the second part of the letter received by a New Plymouth residetn from Sir Thomas Mackenzie, the first part appearing in yesterday's issue: Speaking with a colonel from tlie front as to when tlie war would be over, he said lie believed that America would buy Germany out. I asked him what he meant by "buying Germany out." "Well,'' lie said, "tlie Americans know that if this war goes on they will spend an enormous sum of money, will waste much treasure, and disorganise a groat ileal of trade. The Americans would say to the German Kaiser: 'Come down off tliat barrel and we will give you sufficient money to pay the war indemnities you have incurred by your conduct. They would also tell the Kaiser that unless he did come oil' his barrel (otherwise bis high horse), they would send five million men to Europe to thrash him soundly, and after the war was over, close every American port to the Germans for fifty years." That, in. the opinion of the colonel, would bring tlie Kaiser and his military war party to their knees, and from the point of view of Jonathan, it would pay him belter to give the Kaiser the money for paying war indemnities than to continue the fight. NEW ZEALAND'S INTERESTS. I am keeping a keen eye for future work in New Zealand's interests when the wat closes. There will be great competition, and the Dominion will require to he very alert and up to date in all h >r methods if we are to hold our place. 1 am keenly interested in tlie future of our dairy produce. The meat Is assured, if unfair competition does not develop. Fruit is one of our best prospective industries, and I have had one or tv*o good opportunities of bringing before those "nigfrest in authority and power the very excellent quality New Zealand can grow. The last lot was from growers in Otago Central, and some of it reached the Court tables at the Palace and Marlbcrough House, and was highly esteemed. A MINISTER IN LONDON? I have observed a discussion in the House and in the Press in reference to. the future constitution of the representation of the Dominion in this country, and the has been asked whether it would bo better to send either a Minister to do the work, or a Minister for certain specified duties, and retain the High Commissioner for other specified work. Doubtless, the House of Parliament, will, in its wisdom, do what it regards at for the best. All that I am concerned about is that a policy in our country's interests will be carefully thought out by experienced men, and what is resolved upon will be capably executed, and that, at any rate as far as finance anil trade are concerned, no opportunity will be lost. The time now approaching, and that immediately following peace, will be of t'he utmost importance, full of economic and trade possibilities. If, during that critical and momentous period, we fail to "take occasion by the hand,'' we may lose golden chances which may never again be offered. On 1 that point no uncertain action ought to be followed nor risks taken. Whether I am the person to he entrusted with the work it is not for me to say. Many enquiries constantly come to me from New Zealand on tfie point. I am" content either to remain or to return to the Dominion, and whatever happens I hope to be of some service yet to the State. A TRTP TO SCOTLAND. I have, just returned from a trip to the north, and so far as Aberdeen, the object being to get into touch with people dealing in our produce, to learn exactly where we stood, and what means should be employed for laying a permanent foundation for the expansion of our tj;ade after the war. I found that our butter enjoyed the highest, repute, and people once using ours were not likely to discontinue buying it, provided we kept it permanently under their notine. I purpose inaugurating a system to effect this. I also went to see some of our sick and wounded soldiers especially in hospitals ill Edinburgh. In that city Mr. and Mrs. Walter Young are doing splendid work for our men. THE WARSHIP NEW ZEALAND. Whilst on tour I took the opportunity of visiting the warship "New Zealand." I can assure you that 110 ship bears a better name than does our vessel, and the men on board believe that she has a charmed life. I was shown all the magnificent trophies that had been presented to her in various parts of the world," and I saw the marks of her encounters. I was received by the cuptain and officers, and the men danced a baka by way of welcome. Afterwards I went round the fleet and was greatly interested in the various developments. There were large ships constructed to carry aeroplanes; huge aerial vessels go into stalls on the ships like so many horses, and there are decks for their landing. The men are eager for a scrap'with the Germans, and I am sure that when it comes they will show that the British sailor of the present can maintain tlicj very highest traditions of the service.

THE StJLTAN OF JvGV"T. To-day I was deeply gTieved to read of the death of the Sultan of Egypt. He was devoted to our interests, and he took a great part in raising the condition of tlie Fellaheen. Whilst I was in Egypt I had several conferences with him! he was delighted to hear ot tlie methods employed by the New Zealand Government in helping the farmers. I sent him accounts of what had been done and lie informed me that he hoped to effect. some great rpforms in Egypt. I hope that his successor will be aa loyal to British interests as was Hussein Kamel. OUft MEN DO SPLENDIDLY. You will have heard the news of the wonderful work carried out by the British Army .in France, and especially that part played by the Australians and New Zea landers. I had a telegram from Weld Marshal Sir Douglas flalg and a letter from Lieutenant-General Sir William Birdwood telling me how splendidly our men had done their work, and how well all plans had been carried out. General Birdwood was anxious about the result, but the movement was a great success. Although our losses have been relatively light, yet they will bring grief and sorrow to many a home. A day or two ago I received a letter from my nephew, Aspinall, telling me that his brother Denys had been-'kill-ed with ail who were working a gun.

I saw Donys on my last .trip to France. Tlio family has nobly contributed their share in the defence of Hie Empire, live, sons having served. Last winter we iiad four of the boys at our home, staving with lis for a short time, and when J saw them together, joking with each other, I felt that, in all probability, the four brothers would never meet again. And such, unfortunately, ia the case. II OS PITA LI TV FOR OUR BOYS. We can do our part in helping our lad?. I have just organised a register of kind offers of 'hospitality on the part of the people of this country, and it is my intention to bring together those who are giving, and those of our soldiers having no friends here who are. seeking it. The War Contingent Association is carrying out its work in connection with hospitals, sick and wounded, convalescents and canteens, and we can never sufficiently acknowledge the great help unostentatiously and devotedly given by the women. I am proud to bp president of an Association that is carrying out such excellent work. THE SPIRIT OF THE NAVY. A V.C. was given this week to a young submarine commander for a deed which shows that the spirit of our Navy is still of the very highest. One day lie suddenly sighted two German submarines,"one of which he was smart enough to sink, and tl/e. other was so taken by surprise that the crew surrendered. He then took command of the German submarine (it might be said that he is an excellent German scholar), transferred the uniforms from the German officers to his own, and set out for Heligoland, and on arrival lie sent a wireless, purporting to detail his exploits and the number of British ships he had sunk, and asking for further instructions. He was told to proceed in a certain direction, accompanied by a German destroyer. In due season he sunk the destroyer, returned home, and received the honor of V.O. N A PLUCKY ACTION, Another case was that of a New Zealander named Worsley vrlio commanded a submarine and was sent to take care of an oil steamer. Accompanying him was a British destroyer. The weather, which was bad, increased to groat violence (luring the night, and he lost the destroyer. In the morning a Qerman submarine was encountere3, which launched a torpedo. The noise made by the storm was so loud that Commander Wondev did not hear the torpedo strike the ship, but he saw her settling down. He whipped round, discovered the submarine, and immediately sent Her to the bottom. The only member of the German submarine crew which was saved was the commander, whorA he took on board, then took the oil steamer in hand and brought her safely into port. AN AUSTRALIAN GUARD. ■ Some German prisoners asked for more pay. They were told they could have an extra Id or 2d per day; but would be put under an Australian guard. They said "Kamorad, we would rather work for nothing than have an Australian guard." I will close this somewhat lengthy letter by expressing the hope that this "will be the last year in "which we shall have to endure the enormities of war, and that when Christmas comes we shall enjoy the inestimable blessing* of peacs, and that the archenemy of mankind may be chained for at least a thousand years.