INTERESTING WAR ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1917, Page 2

INTERESTING WAR ITEMS.

Excerpts By Dr Newman, M-P*

“If a man joins a trjrch-mortcr corps or the bombtra he is said to have joined the Suicioe Club,” remarked Dr Newman, M.P., at Wellington ou Tuesday, “My sou was ia charge of a trench moitar corps," he addeo, "and a brother paid to him one day, ‘ I say, Newman, how lot g have you been in charge of trench mortars ? ’ ' Four months,’ wes the reply. 4 Poor chap, poor chap,’ said the other, ‘ two months more and it will be all over with you.’ They gave them only six months at such wotk.” Bat the most dangerous work, stated Dr Nevcmao, as th-.t of -in a/iitns. If a man crossed the enemy's lines six times in safety he was considered very lucky. Many cf them were killed or taken prisoner before the sixth time.

"One of the now notions we have get at the West Front," said Dr NewcaiiD, "is a 6001 b shell. Wherever it falls it starts a fire that neither w ater nor sand can put out; and if the shell lands properly on a trench it will kill 40 or 50 Germans. It ts all a question of throwing stour-s, from the time of our forefathers, the cave-men, aud David and Goliath onwards. Some of you may remember David and some may not. (Laughter). We are going to sling a great many more stones, and bigger stonee than the other fellows, and we are gatng to win.”- (Laughter). The lecturer added that both Britain and France were building many more " tacks ” for the coming b ; g push. But they would be lighter and faster than the first tanka, which could only go four miles an hour.

Dr Newnm stated that he was very much turprised' when hia ton said to him, “The first morning 1 got into the trenches I was so happy, so happy.’ 1 "Why were you so happy?" ha asked. ‘'Because,” was the answer, “1 was so afraid I would be afraid, aud when I found I wasn’t I was so happy.” Many others, added the doo* tor, had told him much the same. They couldn’t tell how it would affect them till they actually experienced it, and it was a great relief to find that they didn’t get gun-fright. "The funny part cf it is,” said Dr Newman, "how differently different men take things. The trench-mortar men aud the bombers are ell right at their own particular job, but they say they would not like to hav9 to bop over the trenches and into it with the bayonet; while the infantrymen, on the other baud, say that they cannot stand bombs aud the trench mortars, but are keen as mustard Tor their bayonet work.”

After the war Germany will make tremendous efforts to regain her trade,” said Dr Newman, “and the question comes, What will the English manufacturers do ? The position (he said is vary satisfactory. They are going for Iho war after the war. (Applause.) They are sending travellers out now lo capture the trade, . .

They are determined after the war to win the war that is coming then, and' they are steadily, economising and preparing with that end in view.” (Applause.)