NEW ZEALAND MINISTERS AT THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 249, 9 July 1918, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND MINISTERS AT THE FRONT

A TOUR OF THE LINES. (Special Dispatch from the Official War Correspondent.) • . July I. Ministers continuo to have an extraordinarily busy time whilo with tho New Zealand Forces. From morn till night their little fleet of cars carried them over country roads, and unit after unit was inspected and addressed. The great desire of Mr. Jlussey and Sir Joseph Ward seemed to be to see as many men as possible, and by the close of the tour they will have seen almost all the New Zealanders. In addition to 6eeing the infantry, artillery, and other units on parade in considerable masses, they also went out of their way to visit the smaller units, and even permitted many.personal interviews, renewing old acquaintanceships and listening to individual requests. Their speeches necessarily contained a repetition of facts and figures already known in Now Zealand, though not always known to tho man at the front, becauso in these days news travels on slow and uncertain wings. Certainly it was news to very many of the men to find whnt a great deal the New Zealand Government had already done through legislation in the: intorests of their soldiers after the war, and for thoso who return during its continuance Generally, it may be said that both Ministers wero invariably ablo to oxpress their i <>lcaßure at the splendid appearance of

the officers and men on paTadc, as well iifi at tho fine condition of the horses, the latter being a point upon which tho Prime Minister especially expressed his satisfaction. Leavo to New Zealand was frequently referred, to, and tho Ministers explained that tho matter was being satisfactorily dealt with. On Tuesday tho Ministers saw another infantry brigade'; on parado, brigades and batteries of artillery, and also inspected the wagon lines. In the afternoon they motored to the Now Zealand base, inspecting and addressing tho troops next morning. In the afternoon they motored to Paris, visiting on the way the Cyclist Battalion and somo of tho outlying New Zealand troops. To-day thnro aro functions, in connection -with American Independence Day in Paris, and an important conference at Versailles. INSPIRED BY PREVAILING CONFIDENCE. London, July 7. Mr. W. P. Masscy has returned from Brance. Ho said lie fslt more confident than in the past two months. When Hie next "big show" comes the Allies will give a very good account of themselves — Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn. A cablo messngo has been received by Sir James Allen from Mr. Massey as follows:—"Ha .'O just returned from France. Saw no fewer than 20,000 of tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Their I gonoral health, was good. All units were visited. Will telegraph further particuI lars in a few days."