THE PRIME MINISTER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 17, 15 October 1918, Page 6

THE PRIME MINISTER

j AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW

■ "Our journey both ways was very interesting, but without any particuliirly exciting incidents," said the Prime Minister yesterday. "The Pacific is looked upon as quite safe now, ind I think rightly so, 'while on tbo ■Ulantio side we sighted no submarines, nor, so far as w,e know, did any, submarines sight us. "The more important part of our work was, of course, the business con- , nected with and arising from the AVar Cabinet and the Imperial AA'nr Conference, but with quite a largo population of New Zealanders within reach of London, there was a great deal of other business to be attended to as well, Early in July we took the opportunity >)f visiting the A T ew Zealand Division on the AVcstern front, and at the same time attending a sitting of the Supremo AA'ar Council at Versiiilles, where wo met General Fochj Prime Minister Clemenceau, and numbers of representative men from the different Allied countries. Our soldiers were out of the line at the time of our visit, enjoying a well-earned rest, and conseouentiy we were ablo to see more of them than would otherwise have been possible. They are all naturally anxious for the war to end, eo that they may return to their own country, but they are wonderfully cheerful, and tho high reputation which our NewZealand soldiers hod won earlier in the war was beinn: well maintained. "AYo were able to adjust some matters in the interests of'our soldiers, and to remove some misapprehensions and misunderstanding. There were other matters which we could not deal with, as they require Parliamentary sanction, and which will hp. submitted in duo course. _ The Now Zealand Division has had its full share of losses and casualties generally, but New Zealand has every reason to be proud of and satisfied with her fighting men; and when tho war comes to an endthere will be no better record than that put np by the New Zealand soldiers. I have not, of course, seen the New Zealand lists of casualties for Homo time, but before wo left England, tho opinion was expressed by competent authorities that although

tho fighting had been very heavy &S» ing the summer, owing to better pi* cautions and improved methods and appliances being in operation, the casualties had not been nearly so heavy is they had been in the earlier days of (■lie- war. The War outlook. "Following the successes of the Germans in the spring there had been a certain amount of anxiety in England ; .n May and June .with regard to tho position, but with the Americans entering tlie war in largo numbers, and the splendid response of the Dominions and India to the appeal made by the Prime Minister of England, the position rapidly improved j and when in. July tlu Germans again attacked, tho utmost confidence was felt that the Allied armies would more than hold llieir own; and so it turned out. Since that time the Germans have been fteadily driven back until more than the ground lost in March and April has been occupied by the Allies. It is now as certain as anything can possibly be that defeat awaits tho Germans, and in the not far distant future. Then will como the settlement, probably by peace conference, and I hope that there will be no weakness displayed, but that even-handed justice will be dealt out; and in such a way as to prevent Germany again rushing into war for a very long time to coine. Th 9 War Cabinet. ' "You will understand that the proceedings of the Imperial War Cabinet nro strictly confidential, except w ; tb regard to matters ou which tun Jkitish I'rime Minister makes a statement either in the House of Commons cr iu nny other way. Perhaps iu this connection the most important dealt with was the new arrangement by ivuich Ejy L'ominion, if it feels so inclined, may appoint a Minister to attend the nuttings of the Cabinet, which will bn heid periodically, or when the Prime Miaister thinks it necessary to convene a, meeting. I believe that iu time the whole- of the Dominions will tul-a advantage of this privilege. The arrangement is optional with the Dominions, who niay appoint representatives or not, just as they think proper. 'Puma Ministers will bo entitled to be r resmt at meetings of the Cabinet any time they can make it convenient to attend. The proceedings of the War Conference are being printed, and that part which is not confidential will be published in due course. In the meantime, all I can say is that very important work ivas done by both Cabinet and Conference, and quite justified the coming together of representatives from every one of 'the Dominions and from India.

Amorioan Troons. "As for the American troops, there is no question but that they are doing well. We travelled iu a large convoy with-them from America to iiurope— 2500 on the same ship. They are o£ good physique, strong, active young iellows, very like our "own men, and. very keen on giving a good account of themselves, in which they have undoubtedly been successful. We shall get to the end of the war all the sooner for their coming, because, al--1 though we are fighting in p. number of theatres, the war will be decided on the Western front. The moral of the Allied troops is as good as at any time since the war broke out. The armies are as well equipped and as well supplied with munitions. The British Navy is 50 per cent, stronger than when tho war broke out, while the story of tho British Air Force will only be told when the war comes to an end. And all this after over four years of war. It is true we are not through yet, but what has happened and is happening should be a lesson to ambitious aud unscrupulous nations for all time." Political Matters.

The Prime .Minister had little to say with regard to political, developments nnd the work of the approaching session. He had not had time since his return to Now Zealand to examine all the matters that would require his attention. He mentioned that he would make a report to Parliament at an early stage of the session regarding tho work done by Sir Joseph AYard and himself in London. The decisions of tho AVar Cabinet probably would not call for any New Zealand legislation during the present session, but there were various matters connected with the war that would have to be dealt with. The duration of the session would depend upon members of tho House. fliG amount of work to bo done was not very large, but some of it was important, and members would not be denied opportunity for full discussion. The War. In conclusion, Mr. Massey said that he believed the end of the war was in sight. Ho would feel quite certain that the end was comparatively near if it ' were not for the fact that the European winter was closing.upon the battlefiolds. The winter nas boundto interfere with the offensive operations that Marshal Foch was conducting along his widespread front, and even though it did not force a full pause in the attacking movement, it might give tho Germans, a breathing spp.ee. The victory of the Allies, in any case, was absolutely assured. • Hope had been running high in England before Ins departure for the New Zealand five or six weeks ago, mid the developments that had taken olace since then had vastly improved tho situation from the point of view of the Allies.