THE NEW ZEALANDERS

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16257, 6 July 1918, Page 5

THE NEW ZEALANDERS

A MINISTERIAL VISIT.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, July 5. The following message, dated July Ist, has been received from the New Zealand official war correspondent, Mr Malcolm Ross: —

' Mr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward arI rived at til© Headquarters of tho New Zealand division on tho Western front .on Saturday evening. They lost no time in getting in touch with the men of the division, *ior after their long journey by train and car they attended I a performance given in the lata afternoon by tho divisional theatricals. The scene was a memorable one. The stage was set in a natural amphitheatre, in beautiful woods, and in an interval of tho performance, when the music of the members had ceased, and ! there were to be heard only tho songs of the birds and the booming of the guns, the great crowd of soldiers listened to the me3sage that these ambassadors had brought to their soldiers from the furthermost part of the Empire. For the moment this wood in France became a little bit of New Zealand, and the spirit of Democracy'invaded a portion of Republican France, that not so far back in history had been part of a ducal demesne. This friendly spirit of democracy was evidenced in the good-natured interjections with which the speeches were punctuated, as in tho calls of "Bill" and "Joe" that arose from the soldier audience. An English visitor was struck with the heartiness and informality of the proceedings, and the interest taken in the visit. Tho excellence of the performance surprised tho visitors. In a speech during an interval, Mr Massey said he would be very pleased to listen to any griovances the men had. Ho added that he was intensely proud of the splendid record the 3ivision had put up, and he could tell them that the people of New Zealand wSuld not go back upon their soldiers, but would stand by them, and see that they were properly reinforced. After the war was over he felt that Now Zealand would be nroud, not only of what had been done by her soldiers, but also of what had been done for her sol- j diers.

Sir Joseph Ward expressed great nleasure at seeing so many New ZeaInnders under sii"h strange circumstances. Even in New Zealand he had not seen so large a gathering of New Zealanders for a. long time. The scene made one realise to what n /rent extent New Zealand >>od helwvJ, and he felt snre would continue in this determined soirit until the great victory had been -won. There had been some criticism about Ministers taking

a trip round the world, but he assured them that the trip was undertaken purely in the interests of tho Empire. If they had not undertaken tho journey New Zoaland would have been entirely

unrepresented at the most important conference in this crisis in the Empire's history. At tho conclusion of their address both the speakers were heartily applauded. In the evening tho Ministers dined with the General in command of the division.

The Ministerial party was early astir on Sunday to attend a churcb parade of one of the infantry battalions. The scone was an • impressivo one. The troops paraded in the open, with a great expanse of sunlit rolling downs and woods around.

Addressing the troops, Mr Massey said that Sir Joseph Ward and himself had come on a very important mission. Thoy were representing New Zealand in conferences in which previously the Dominions had no say. It brought home to one what New Zealand was really doing, when ho was able to see such large numbers of men on parade at the front. He was especially pleased to see present members of an Auckland regiment-, many of whom had come from his own district, and with whom lie was porsonally acquainted. He could assure them that New Zealand wanted her men back ; but she was determined to keep the division properly maintained and roinforccd until a. satisfactofy victory had been attained. The New Zoaland effort in the war was second, proportionately, only to that of England herself. He was glad to be able to toll them that the feeling in England was even more optimistic than it was a few weeks ago, and that if we heTd our own during the next few months wc could look forward to a satisfactory onding to the war. He wished to toll .them that New Zealand would stand by her returned soldiers. In the meantime her message was, _ "Carry on." As to the future, he said emphatically that Germany should never again be allowed to get the footing she had' beforo in tho British Empire. The German must go out and keen out.

Sir Joseph Ward said they -were fully determined that they would never yield to the flnemy, and so far as our troops were concerned they might rest assured that nothing would' be left undone by America and our other Allies to enable them to wiu out. On their return to New Zealand, the Ministers would be able to convey to tlio people some idea of the *ine appearance of her men in the field, and what splendid work they had done in stopping a gap in the line d"uriii£, the recent German advance. All in New Zealand would like to see them back in their own country, but not until an en<3 had been made of Prussian militarism.

Visits were paid to the machine-gun battalion, the Maori battalion and the engineers. Urief sreeches were made in each case, and tlie Maoris returned the compliment with their war dance. Monday was a very busy • day, the Ministers travelling in motors over miles of dusty roads and through small French villages in order to see_ as many Tinits of the civision as possible. At the end of a long and tiring day they had personal interviews with many of the officers and men, who came to Headquarters for ihis purpose. Tuesday began with an inspection of the Rifle Brigade, which was 'on parade on the edge of a picturesquo wood, flanked by fields of wheat and rye. The Prime Minister recalled the historic parallel of troops bivouacking in rvetields on the eve of "Waterloo, and expressed the hope that on this occasion also victory would rest with our troops and their Allies. Ho said that the appearance of th°. troops spoke well for the quality of the army rations, and the ability of tho men to enjoy them. He congratulated the brigade on its record, than which there was none better. We were at a crisis in the war, the length of which would depend I solely upon whether we were able to j hold the Germans in the coming often- j sive. He felt sure tbnt if the enemy j failed to break through he come j to the conclusion it was_ no use going ( on. This was not the time for any | weakening on cur side. i Sir Joseph Ward said that among the : divisions in tli3 British Army there , were seme that were known as super- : divisions, and he was told t>y a h'.jrh ' authority that among these was Ihe . New Zealand division. All spoke wellof the New Zealand soldiers, and what , they had done in the war would undoubtedly stani out prominently in the history of their country. In the com- i ing clash the world would' be looking on with bated breath, and he was pleaded to say that responsible men regarded; the situation with a considerable degree J of confidence. j Subsequently the Ministers had an • opportunity of seeing the troops carry out a tactical exercise in the open country. They also witnessed the work of contact by an aeroplane. The afternoon was spent in visiting the fielrl ambulcnee. divisional train, and entrench- j ing ;rroup. j