WHERE HONOUR IS DUE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3146, 26 July 1917, Page 5

WHERE HONOUR IS DUE

THAT WORD "AUSTRALASIAN."

"Would it bo possible for tho Government to do anything to secure for our New Zealand troops full credit for their achievements?" This question was asked in the House-of Representatives yesterday by' Mr." A. S. Malcolm. It had special reference to an interview published in London and in some of the 'Now Zealand papers with an Australian officer regarding the battlo <f Messines, which interview made no mention whatever of the New Zealandors. The only conclusion one could draw from tho interview was that tho Australians did everything. He had always understood that the Now Zealandors took Messines Ridge, and that tho Australians played a Minor part. Mr. Massey said that ho would be very glad if something better could be obtained than the continual referenco to the Australasian troops. It was a long word—Australasian—but it was the only one, and ho wished another could be found. Nothing more than had already ■appeared in the cablegrams was. known by the Government about the exploits .of the New Zealanders at Messines. An hon. member: What about our correspondent ? Mr. Massey said that the plain truth was that wo should have to wait for the mail for a fuller account of what our men had done. A few days before leaving London the General commanding the army corps to which the New Zealanders belonged told him that tho New •Zealanders would take\ Messines, and would get the whole of the 'credit for it. Ho thought that when tho mail arrived it would be found that the New Zealnnders had taken Messines. .Mr. Wilford: Tho Canadians wotc there. ' ' Mr. Massey: I don't think so. ; I Mr. Wilford: Oh, yes, they were. Mr. Massey: It will be found at any rate 'that the New Zealanders did llio bulk of the work. ' Parr: There ought to be a Cabinet Minister in London to look after theso things.