WHAT ARE THE CABLES SAYING?

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3550, 14 June 1912, Page 2

WHAT ARE THE CABLES SAYING ?

(to the editor.)

Sir, —May I claim a little space in your columns to expose a grievance which, I feel sure, is shared by a great number of your readers in particular, and the majority of the public generally. Throughout last week the United Press Association cables have furnished us with ample details about the various cricket matches going on at Home, but with very meagre informations about non-sporting news. How this reminds me of the last days of the Byzantine Empire, when the respective merits of the chariot drivers were of greater interest to the populace of Constantinople than the victories won by the Turks over the Imperial troops, which victories naturally terminated by the capture of Constantinople itself. AVhat do. we know out here what is going on in British Columbia, Peru. Mexico, the South Sea Islands, the Dutch East Indies, North Queensland, where the yellow man is slowly creeping forward and stealing a march over the white maih I)o we hear anything at all about the preparedness for war of the Japs and their stupendous superiority in naval power over anv of the countries of the Pacific? AVhile the British navy is gradually getting concentrated in the German Ocean, the shores of the whiteman’s lands in the Pacific be open to the attack of these myriaas of overcrowded Asiatic countries. Do the Press Association people to instruct us about mltiary and economic ambition of these yellow people, so as to make the people of this country alive to the dangers of foreign invasion. AA'e see Chinese now content with their success as market gardeners trying to capture the trade in cabinet making at Christchurch, just as they have done in Australia. AAe hear of a Japanese major coming also to Christchurch to inspect the Donunion’s Cadets and Territorials! Yet our people are apathetic because they ignore the strength of their competitors and potential enemy. This splendid ignorance is in the greater part due to the lack of information, and for this the Press Association is to he held mainly responsible.—Yours etc., A’OX CLAMANT IS IN DETERTO.